Corpse Flower Blooms at Huntington, Crowds Queue for Stinky 24-Hour Spectacle

The Huntington’s star corpse flower, “Green Boy,” unfurled on Wednesday night, July 30, unleashing its notorious stench and touching off a one-day scramble by plant lovers to witness one of nature’s briefest—and smelliest—shows.

The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) hit a final height of 65 inches before opening inside the Rose Hills Foundation Conservatory, according to Huntington horticulturists. Under ideal conditions, the plant can grow as much as six inches per day.

The bloom, which typically lasts only 24 to 48 hours, drew an estimated 1,000 visitors Thursday, with wait times hovering around 20 minutes. A 24-hour livestream was made available at huntington.org/corpse-flower.

“This is one of nature’s most extraordinary events—and a rare opportunity to spark curiosity about plants and highlight The Huntington’s conservation mission,” said Nicole Cavender, Telleen/Jorgensen director of the Botanical Gardens. “Every bloom connects visitors to the incredible diversity of the plant world and underscores our work to protect endangered species and their habitats.”

Nicknamed in homage to Thomas Gainsborough’s famed painting “The Blue Boy,” Green Boy last bloomed in July 2021. The four-year interval is typical for the endangered Sumatran native, which flowers infrequently in the wild and under cultivation. The species is native to limestone hills in the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia.

The Huntington now maintains 43 titan arums—among the largest corpse-flower collections in North America—and has logged at least 27 blooms since receiving its first specimen in 1999.

When open, the flower emits a pungent odor caused by six compounds: dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, trimethylamine, isovaleric acid, benzyl alcohol and indole.

“It smells like just a rotten dumpster—like death, and it is very pungent,” visitor Devany Harden told LAist after braving the scent.

Keisha Raines, a communications specialist at The Huntington, likened the odor to “a compost bin that needs to be changed out.”

Garden officials streamed the bloom online around the clock and urged guests to secure timed-entry tickets, which cost approximately $34 for adults.

MThe conservatory typically reopens early the morning after first bloom so visitors can catch the fleeting spectacle before the spathe collapses.

The titan arum is classified as endangered in its native habitat, where loss of rainforest and overcollection threaten wild populations. Institutions such as The Huntington cultivate the species both for public engagement and as ex-situ conservation.

For more information and how to get tickets, visit: https://www.huntington.org/corpse-flower.