Not one, but two, Corpse Flower blooms are expected to happen in Los Angeles this July.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, is home to two Titan Arums, or Corpse Flowers, and both are now available to be viewed – and smelled – by the public. Both are expected to bloom in the next couple of weeks, an exciting and rare opportunity for visitors.
“To have one Corpse Flower bloom is special—to have two at the same time is extraordinary. This moment provides The Huntington with a special opportunity to pursue three of its most important missions: research, education, and conservation,” said Nicole Cavender, the Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens, in a statement. “With each flowering, botanists learn more about this unusual plant, while The Huntington shares with its visitors not only some fascinating new facts but also an increased appreciation for the wonder and diversity of the plant kingdom.”
What is a corpse flower?
The Titan Armus is an endangered plant species with an infrequent blooming schedule and pungent odor. It’s native to rainforests in Indonesia, and there are fewer than 1,000 remaining in the wild.
While it’s called a Corpse Flower, the bloom is actually made up of hundreds of tiny flowers. It can grow up to six inches per day, and more than 12 feet tall.
What does it smell like?
The Huntington compares the odor to “rotting flesh.” The strong odor attracts pollinators from far and wide. When the plant does bloom, it lasts just 24–48 hours. Following its bloom, the plant collapses and enters a dormant phase that can last for years.
One of the two Corpse Flowers on display this year, previously named Odora, last bloomed in Huntington in 2024. The location has exhibited 29 Corpse Flower blooms since 1999, the most of any institution in the Western U.S. The Huntington is also inviting the public to name the bloom debuting this year on their Instagram.
Timing-wise, you’ll have to get lucky to see/smell the bloom. There’s no way to know exactly when it’ll bloom. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is typically $29-34 to enter for adults. It’s free to enter on the first Thursday of every month. You can find more ticket information here.
You can also watch the 24-hour livestream of the blooms below.
📍 The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
📆 Hours: 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Tuesdays
