Rare Double Corpse Flower Bloom Expected at The Huntington

Key Takeaways 

• Two Titan Arums, or Corpse Flowers, are expected to bloom at The Huntington in the coming weeks. 
• Each bloom, which lasts just 24–48 hours, is one of the rarest and shortest-lived spectacles in the plant world. 
• Since 1999, The Huntington has publicly exhibited 29 Corpse Flower blooms—more than any other institution in the Western United States. 
• The Titan Arum’s strong odor, large size, and unpredictable bloom cycle draw significant public attention each time it flowers. 
• The Huntington is actively involved in the conservation of endangered plant species, including the Titan Arum. 
• One plant, nicknamed Odora, last bloomed in 2024; the other is making its public debut. 
• The public is invited to name the debut bloom by visiting The Huntington’s Instagram and submitting their favorite pick. 

One of The Huntington’s most unusual—and smelliest—botanical wonders is about to bloom, and this year, visitors may get to experience the spectacle twice. Two Corpse Flowers are expected to bloom in the coming weeks, creating a rare opportunity for visitors to witness one of the plant kingdom’s most dramatic displays.  

Visitors will be able to view—and smell—the plants during regular public hours beginning Thursday, July 2, 2026.  A 24-hour livestream will be available at huntington.org/corpse-flower. One of the plants, nicknamed Odora, last bloomed in 2024; the other is making its public debut. The Huntington is inviting the public to help choose the debut plant’s name by sharing their favorite option on Instagram: @thehuntingtonlibrary. 
 
Each plant is expected to bloom in the coming weeks, with the two brief flowering events potentially overlapping. Known for its towering height and infamous odor, the Corpse Flower, or Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), unfurls in a dramatic display that lasts just 24 to 48 hours. Native to limestone hills in the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the plant is endangered in the wild and blooms infrequently, making each flowering event a remarkable moment for plant lovers and curious visitors alike. 

“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. “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.” 

About the Titan Arum 

• Conservation status: endangered (fewer than 1,000 remain in the wild) 
• Structure: unbranched inflorescence made up of hundreds of tiny flowers 
• Height at full bloom: can grow to more than 12 feet tall 
• Growth rate: up to six inches per day at peak development 
• Odor: comparable to rotting flesh, produced to attract pollinators 
• Bloom cycle: every two to three years in cultivation at The Huntington; lasts only 24–48 hours 
   

Despite its common name, the Corpse Flower is not a single flower but a massive inflorescence—a flowering structure composed of hundreds of smaller blooms. During its brief flowering period, the plant releases a pungent odor resembling decaying flesh, which, in the wild, attracts pollinators such as carrion beetles and flies. After blooming, the plant quickly collapses and enters a dormant phase that can last for years. 

At The Huntington, Botanical Collections staff members use brushes to pollinate the plants by hand. When pollination is successful, the resulting fruit produces seeds that can be planted in containers on-site or shared with other institutions. The Huntington also supports conservation of this species by sharing its pollen and corms (underground storage organs from which the plants sprout), gathering scientific data about individuals in the collection, and inspiring people to learn about the plants and take action to protect their remaining wild habitat. 

Corpse Flower Cultivation at The Huntington 

The Huntington maintains one of the largest Titan Arum collections in North America, with more than 43 mature plants cultivated on-site. Most of these are descendants of a plant that bloomed in 2002. When a flowering is imminent, staff members relocate the plant from its greenhouse to The Rose Hills Foundation Conservatory for Botanical Science for public viewing. 

The Huntington acquired its first Titan Arum in 1999 from Arizona botanist Mark Dimmitt, who received seeds from the Palmengarten in Frankfurt, Germany. That same year, The Huntington hosted California’s first Corpse Flower bloom, drawing nearly 76,000 visitors and marking the 11th recorded bloom in the United States. 

Titan Arum made its U.S. debut at the New York Botanical Garden in 1937. More than 146 blooms have been documented nationwide. As of 2025, The Huntington accounts for 27 of those—approximately 18.5% of all U.S. blooms. 

Conservation and Research Initiatives 

“The Corpse Flower may capture the spotlight, but it represents just one facet of a much broader, ongoing effort,” said Sean C. Lahmeyer, The Huntington’s associate director of Botanical Collections, Conservation and Research. “At The Huntington, our work to protect plant biodiversity is guided by five main strategies—preservation, research, education, collaboration, and distribution—and much of that happens behind the scenes. From sharing expertise and training professionals to partnering with conservation organizations worldwide, we are committed to advancing plant conservation on a global scale.” 

The Huntington supports global plant conservation efforts by hosting a highly diverse collection of plants that serves as a living library; each plant has a unique accession number, like a call number, enabling Botanical Collections staff to keep track of it. The Huntington also collects botanical data, shares propagules and pollen, and collaborates with other botanical gardens and private collectors to reduce poaching pressure and preserve genetic diversity. 

Brandon Tam, The Huntington’s associate curator of orchids, has often compared the Corpse Flower to the giant panda—not because they look or smell alike but because both have become charismatic symbols of conservation. “One is adorable, the other is, frankly, disgusting,” he quips in presentations. “But both draw crowds, and that public interest is what fuels conservation momentum.” 

Still, Tam is quick to emphasize the scientific stakes behind the bloom: “By propagating and sharing Corpse Flower specimens, we help make this species more widely available through cultivated collections, which reduces pressure on wild populations. Expanding access through responsible propagation discourages illegal poaching and supports coordinated conservation efforts worldwide.” 

The Huntington’s work with A. titanum, as with many of the rare and endangered plants in its collections, is highly collaborative and connects the institution with botanical gardens across the United States and around the world. Because this plant grows from a corm and experiences long dormant phases, it is well suited to distribution to other gardens. 

To learn more about The Huntington’s work in botanical conservation and research, visit huntington.org/botanical-conservation-and-research.  

Visiting and Viewing Information

The public can track the progress of the Corpse Flower blooms in person during public hours or via a livestream around the clock. A livestream will be available at huntington.org/corpse-flower, and updates will be shared on The Huntington’s social media platforms. Corpse Flower fans can join the naming fun by submitting their idea on Instagram: @thehuntingtonlibrary. 

Media Access 

Journalists interested in covering the bloom or speaking with botanical experts may contact The Huntington’s Media Relations team at huntingtonnews@huntington.org. 

For press inquiries or to request high-resolution press images, email huntingtonnews@huntington.org. 

About The Huntington 

The Huntington, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution, provides transformative experiences for a community of the curious. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. Only 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California. Learn more at huntington.org.