When will the next corpse flower bloom at NYBG?

How will I know when it will be exhibited?


Answer

Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) blooms are very unpredictable which is one of the things that makes them so special. NYBG has had terrific success with producing blooms from our corpse flower plants, but it is still rare and a surprise when one of our plants blooms. Most never do.

 A young corpse flower grown under great conditions takes about seven to ten years to store enough energy to potentially begin its first bloom cycle. Each year, the plant’s corm (a tuberous underground root structure) bears vegetation that grows up to 15 feet tall. The leaf gathers energy from the sun to store in its corm. Then suddenly one year it might send up a bud instead! The 2021 plant, for instance, was 14 years old and had been in NYBG's collection for over seven years, putting out a single leaf annually and saving the energy to bloom before it created its flower. You can read more about corpse flowers at NYBG by clicking here.

We have numerous plants and when one blooms it has mostly been in early summer, though we have had flowers as early as April and as late as November. Once a plant shows signs of creating a bud, it grows very quickly, and it takes a little time to tell whether it will have the strength to produce a full, stinky flower. At that point, we move the plant to the Conservatory so that visitors can see it. We let the press know and send an announcement by Instagram and to anyone on our email list. 

Keeping your eyes on the NYC news, follow NYBG on Instagram or add your name to our newsletter list, are the best ways to know when one of the plants shows promise of flowering and is ready for view. Hopefully soon!

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service

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  • Last Updated Jan 28, 2025
  • Views 39
  • Answered By Leslie Coleman

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