If you’ve ever wanted to get a whiff of the infamous corpse flower, here’s your chance. These huge flowers give off a world-famous stench when they bloom, but they’re not easy to find and they only bloom briefly once every few years. This week there is a corpse flower blooming in Seattle at the Amazon Spheres—and it’s free to visit.
Read on for all the details!
What is a corpse flower?
“Corpse flower” is the nickname for titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). This large Indonesian plant only blooms once every few years, but when it does, watch out! It gives off a strong stench while blooming in order to attract pollinators. A corpse flower can reach nine feet in height; the one at the Spheres is over five feet tall.
What does it smell like?
Some say that a blooming corpse flower smells like rotting flesh, which is how it got its nickname. Others have compared the scent to rotting eggs, sweat, or garbage. Its smell peaks in intensity at night into the early hours of the morning when it is in bloom.
How long does it bloom for?
The corpse flower typically only blooms for two to three days. The corpse flower at the Spheres started blooming on Sunday, September 21—but you may still be able to experience its stinky bloom through Wednesday, September 24. Once it’s done, the flower may not bloom again for another five to 10 years.
How can I see the corpse flower at the Spheres?
It is free to visit the Spheres, not just to see the corpse flower but year-round. Typically the Spheres require a reservation to visit. However, visitors are invited to visit the Spheres without a reservation to view the corpse flower now through Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Amazon Spheres are located in South Lake Union at 2111 7th Avenue.
If you can’t go in person or you’re sensitive to smells, you can check out a live stream of the corpse flower!