A once-in-a-decade bloom captivated Geelong, drawing thousands to witness one of nature’s rarest (and smelliest) spectacles.
The Corpse Plant bloomed in the Conservatory in the Geelong Botanic Gardens in November 2024.
Nurturing the corpse plant at the Geelong Botanic Gardens
The City of Greater Geelong has been attentively nurturing the rare corpse plant (Amorphophallus titanum) at the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
The Geelong Botanic Garden was gifted two Amorphophallus titanum corms from Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia in 2021.
Through the Geelong Botanic Gardens team's dedicated efforts, visitors have a rare chance to experience this unique bloom - an event that typically occurs only once every decade. To extend this opportunity worldwide, we are offering a livestream of the bloom, allowing plant enthusiasts and curious viewers around the globe to witness the Amorphophallus titanum in its full, fleeting glory.
In November 2024, Geelong Botanic Gardens celebrated the bloom of one of the two Titan Arum. Over 20,000 people came to see the corpse flower for its first bloom, with visitors coming from as far as Alice Springs, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne to experience this rare bloom, supporting local businesses and the economy.
To make sure as many people could come to view this rare event, the Conservatory stayed open 24 hours during the bloom.
The corpse plant web page with updates received 67,000 views and our live stream was extremely popular, with over 350,000 views from around Australia and the world.
High-level analyses of media coverage suggest that the event reached 32 million people across Australia and beyond.
The corpse plant will restart the process of storing energy until it has enough to produce another flower. This may take another seven to 10 years.
Witnessing a corpse flower in full bloom is an exceptional opportunity, as it only blooms unpredictably, often just once every ten years. The corpse plant bloom itself lasts only 24 to 48 hours, so visitors needed to visit quickly to catch the unique sight.
Also named the Titan Arum, this extraordinary plant is renowned for the powerful smell it releases when it blooms—a scent likened to rotting flesh, hence its nickname, the "corpse plant."
We look forward to our second Titan Arum blooming. although it may be a bit of a wait! Make sure that you stay connected with the Gardens for our next incredible event.