Australia’s Corpse Flowers: A Stench of Success

Australia is rapidly becoming a global hotspot for Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as the corpse flower, with a surge in blooms across the country in recent years. Once a rare spectacle, these notoriously fragrant plants are now captivating audiences and drawing thousands of visitors to gardens nationwide.

A Blooming Trend

More than a dozen corpse flowers bloomed across Australia in 2025, including notable displays from Putricia in Sydney, Morpheus in Canberra, Big Betty in Cooktown, and a group nicknamed Spud and co in Cairns. The Botanic Gardens of South Australia boasts the largest collection of corpse flowers in Australia – and possibly the world – with over 250 plants across multiple generations.

The Allure of the Stench

The titan arum is famed for its enormous bloom and the putrid odor it emits during flowering, resembling rotting flesh. This scent attracts carrion beetles and flesh flies, which are essential for pollination. The smell has been described in various ways, including “fermenting cabbage,” “strong blue cheese,” or “old sweaty socks.” One bloom in Geelong was likened to “decaying possum with overtones of parmesan cheese,” while Putricia’s fragrance was compared to “the rich stench of a public bin on a 40 degree day.”

Adelaide: An Unlikely Capital

Adelaide, despite its hot, dry summers, has become a key location for propagating these endangered plants, originally from the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. Smellanie, one of the original plants grown from seeds acquired in 2006, recently completed its second flowering, reaching a height of 2.13m and emitting a powerful stench.

The Challenges of Cultivation

Corpse flowers are notoriously unpredictable. They typically take 10-12 years to produce their first flower, and subsequent blooms may occur every three to five years, though intervals can be longer. Successful flowering depends on the plant storing sufficient energy in its underground tuber, or “corm,” which can grow up to 75kg. Cultivating these plants requires careful management of water and nutrients, alternating between periods of high demand and dormancy.

Beyond the Titan Arum: Native Corpse Flowers

Australia also has its own native corpse flower varieties, including the elephant yam and cheeky yam, found in northern Australia. While smaller and differently shaped than the titan arum, these native plants share the same characteristic putrid aroma, a strategy for attracting pollinators.

The ‘Persona’ Effect

Botanical gardens are increasingly giving corpse flowers nicknames or “personas” – such as Putricia, Stinkerella, and Baby Stink – to engage the public and combat “plant blindness.” Nearly 27,000 people visited the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to experience Putricia’s bloom, creating an atmosphere akin to “having the Olympics back in town.”

Looking Ahead

With a growing core collection of mature plants, Australian gardens anticipate more frequent corpse flower blooms in the coming years. While predicting the exact timing remains a challenge – requiring a mix of science, horticulture, and luck – Australia is poised to remain a prime destination for witnessing these remarkable and fragrant botanical events. Putricia has three genetically identical siblings, and there is a strong possibility one of them will bloom within the next 12 months.