The Huntington is offering visitors a chance to see the Corpse Flowers bloom in-person.
The Corpse Flower, scientifically known as the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), blooms only for 24-48 hours every 2 to 3 years, and The Huntington wants the community to see it. The last bloom was in 2024, and now this summer, two blooms are expected from these flowers. Though there is not a set date for when these flowers will bloom, The Huntington states that it will be in the coming weeks
The Corpse Flower is native to the rainforests of Western Indonesia, and can grow to over 12 feet tall, up to 6 inches a day. They also let out a putrid stench when in bloom, which provides a reason for their famous name. The foul odor, often compared to the smell of rotting flesh, is strongest during the first night of the bloom. The scent helps attract carrion beetles and flesh flies, the flower’s natural pollinators in the wild.
In the summer of 1999, The Huntington gained worldwide attention when it exhibited the first Amorphophallus titanum ever to bloom in California. Since that first bloom, The Huntington has continued to grow its collection of Titan Arums as part of its botanical conservation and education efforts. So far, the garden has shown 29 Corpse Flower blooms.
The Huntington is offering early entry to watch the two Corpse Flowers bloom on select mornings July 2-6 and July 8-12, as well as offering after-hours opportunities to view the Corpse Flowers, only on July 5 and July 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For those unable to visit the garden in the upcoming weeks, The Huntington will be providing a livestream so people around the world can watch the rare bloom unfold, even if they cannot to witness it in person.