Australia Becomes Global Hotspot for Corpse Flower Blooms

Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) blooms are becoming more common in Australia. In 2025, over a dozen corpse flowers bloomed across the country, including notable instances in Sydney ('Putricia'), Canberra ('Morpheus'), Cooktown ('Big Betty'), and Cairns ('Spud and co'). Plants maintained in gardens nationwide are blooming more frequently after their initial flower.

Matt Coulter, senior horticulture curator at the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, stated that Australia records one of the highest numbers of corpse flower flowering events globally.

Australia ranks among the top three locations for blooms, with plants reaching an age that promotes more frequent flowering.

Adelaide: A Leading Cultivation Hub

Adelaide has emerged as a significant center for propagating these endangered plants, which are native to the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. One plant, 'Smellanie,' grown from seeds obtained in 2006, recently completed its second flowering. Coulter has propagated numerous additional plants using leaf cuttings and pollination. The state's corpse flower collection now contains over 250 plants across multiple generations, making it the largest in Australia and potentially globally.

Coulter described 'Smellanie' as a flower with a deep crimson outer layer and a strong odor. It measured 2.13m in height, representing the largest displayed by the garden to the public, with an aroma characterized as resembling fermenting cabbage, strong blue cheese, or old sweaty socks.

Unpredictable Blooms and Cultivation Challenges

Corpse flowers exhibit unpredictable flowering patterns. Most plants typically require 10-12 years to produce their initial flower. Subsequent flowering can occur every three to five years, though longer intervals are possible. Flowering is not guaranteed, as corpse plants require sufficient energy storage in underground tubers, or 'corms,' which can weigh up to 75kg, to produce a bloom.

Coulter stated that the nature of a bud, whether it will develop into a leaf or a flower, remains uncertain until it reaches a size of approximately 10-15 cm. He also noted instances where tubers lacked the necessary strength for a flower to open.

These plants are challenging to cultivate, requiring significant water and nutrition during specific periods, and a resting phase with minimal resources at other times.

Since its first flower in 2015, Adelaide has recorded annual corpse flower blooms, though not all are publicly displayed. Transporting the plants from climate-controlled glasshouses to the botanic gardens is considered a stressful process for them.

Corpse Flowers Across Australia

The Geelong Botanic Gardens possesses four titan arums. One plant, named 'Betsy,' bloomed in November 2024, emitting a strong fragrance described as decaying possum with parmesan cheese notes. Another corm of comparable age and size is also part of their collection.

John Siemon, horticulture director at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, where 'Putricia,' 'Baby Stink,' and 'Stinkerella' bloomed last year, indicated that assigning 'plant personas' aids public engagement. He noted that assigning gender is not biologically accurate as the plants possess both male and female organs.

Assigning 'plant personas' aids public engagement.

Public interest in corpse flowers is substantial. Approximately 27,000 individuals observed 'Putricia's' bloom, which had a strong fragrance. Siemon compared the atmosphere to a major public event. 'Putricia' has three genetically identical siblings, propagated from leaf cuttings. Three of these have flowered, and Siemon stated that the fourth clone has the potential to bloom within the next 12 months.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) houses a titan arum named 'Morphy' (Morpheus), which flowered in 2025. Davis mentioned that the name reflects the flower's dormancy and its different growth stages (leaf or flower). Siemon predicted that the primary collection housed in conservation facilities, now reaching maturity, would result in several individuals flowering.

Native Varieties Also Present

In addition to cultivating Amorphophallus titanum, Australia is home to native corpse flower varieties, including the elephant yam and cheeky yam, found in northern Australia. Carol Davis, acting nursery general manager at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, explained that while native varieties have smaller and distinctively shaped flowers, they share structural similarities with the titan arum.

While native varieties have smaller and distinctively shaped flowers, they share structural similarities with the titan arum, such as a central column ('spadix') and a characteristic rotting aroma.

Davis noted that the odor functions as an evolved strategy to attract pollinators such as beetles and flies, which are drawn to decaying organic matter.