Amorphophallus titanum
Amorphophallus titanum (Becc.) Becc. ex Arcang.
Amorphophallus titanum holds the world record for the largest unbranched inflorescence of any plant, producing a towering burgundy-and-cream flower structure up to 10 feet tall that emits a powerful stench of rotting flesh for a single night to attract its pollinators. It symbolizes rarity, the spectacular nature of transformation, and the extraordinary power of the strange and unexpected.
Araceae (Arum family)
Unpredictable; the plant blooms only once every 7 to 10 years or more; each bloom event lasts only 24 to 48 hours
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: desert lilys and parrot beak flowers also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
There is no flowering event in the botanical world more anticipated, more dramatic, or more singular than the blooming of Amorphophallus titanum. The Sumatran name bunga bangkai means "corpse flower," and the stench it produces during its single night of flowering is genuinely nauseating: a combination of rotting flesh, fish, and decaying organic matter engineered by evolution to attract its pollinators from up to half a mile away. When the titan arum bloomed at Kew Gardens for the first time outside Sumatra in 1889, it attracted enormous crowds and made international headlines. Today, botanic garden titan arum blooms are global events broadcast live online, with thousands of visitors queuing for hours. In Sumatran culture, the plant is a source of both wonder and superstition, linked to the deep forest and the boundary between the living and the dead. It is also a critical conservation symbol: the titan arum is endangered in the wild due to deforestation, and botanic garden populations represent an important ex situ conservation lifeline for the species.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Bright indirect light when growing the leaf; the inflorescence develops in the absence of the leaf and requires consistent warmth and humidity rather than direct sunlight
Water
Consistent moisture when actively growing; the tuber must dry out completely during its regular dormant periods of 3 to 6 months
Soil
Humus-rich, Well-drained, Porous, Slightly acidic, pH 5.5–6.5
Expert Growing Tips
Grow in a very large container (at least 25 gallons) in humus-rich, fast-draining tropical mix with a minimum temperature of 15 degrees C (60 degrees F)
Feed heavily with a balanced fertilizer during active leaf growth; the tuber must accumulate sufficient energy to eventually produce the inflorescence
Allow the growing medium to dry completely during dormancy; never water a dormant tuber
The plant may take 7 to 10 or more years to bloom for the first time from a small tuber, and years more between subsequent blooms
Artificial pollination between two simultaneously blooming plants can produce viable seeds; this is the primary method of propagation in botanic gardens
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Premier botanical garden visitor attraction
- Scientific research specimen for pollination biology and thermogenesis
- Rare greenhouse cultivation by specialist collectors
- Educational display in botanic conservatories worldwide
- Iconic conservation symbol for Sumatran rainforest ecosystems
Traditional Uses
- No traditional medicinal uses are documented for Amorphophallus titanum specifically
- Related Amorphophallus species, particularly A. konjac, produce a glucomannan-rich corm used in East Asian food and medicine, including konjac flour and supplements
- Scientific research on the thermogenesis mechanism of A. titanum has contributed to understanding plant biochemistry
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Amorphophallus titanum
What does Amorphophallus titanum symbolize?
Titan arum symbolizes rarity, spectacular transformation, and once-in-a-lifetime wonder. Its extraordinary bloom cycle and dramatic appearance make it a symbol of patience rewarded spectacularly, deep mystery, and the power of the unexpected.
Why does the corpse flower smell so bad?
The inflorescence produces a complex mixture of sulfur compounds including dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, along with other volatile chemicals that together replicate the smell of rotting meat and dung. This is an evolutionary strategy to attract carrion beetles and other insects that feed and breed on decomposing matter, which then unknowingly pollinate the flowers.
How often does Amorphophallus titanum bloom?
In the wild and in cultivation, the titan arum blooms unpredictably, typically once every 7 to 10 years or more. Each bloom lasts only 24 to 48 hours. Between blooms, the plant alternates between producing a single massive leaf for 8 to 12 months, then entering dormancy for 3 to 6 months, repeating this cycle several times before accumulating enough energy to flower.
Why is Amorphophallus titanum endangered?
The titan arum is native only to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, where it grows on steep limestone hills. Large areas of its natural habitat have been destroyed by logging and conversion to oil palm plantations. Botanic gardens worldwide maintain living collections of titan arum plants that serve as a critical ex situ conservation resource.
What is the largest flower in the world?
Amorphophallus titanum holds the record for the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, reaching up to 10 feet (3 m) in height. However, the largest individual flower belongs to Rafflesia arnoldii, also from Sumatra, which produces a single flat bloom up to 3 feet (1 m) across. These are two different botanical records: unbranched inflorescence versus single flower.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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