It's time to see the 'rotting flesh' smelling corpse flowers in SoCal
The clock is ticking to see - and smell - a rare plant with a gnarly odor comparable to "rotting flesh" in bloom in Southern California.
Two titan arums, or corpse flowers, are unfurling at The Huntington in San Marino, the library and gardens announced on its social media late Sunday, July 12. The endangered plant's size, odor and unpredictable bloom cycle attracts major attention, according to The Huntington.
At full bloom, this plant can grow to over 12 feet tall, said The Huntington. In addition to its towering size is its odor, which is "comparable to rotting flesh" that attracts pollinators such as carrion beetles and flies in the wild, according to the Huntington.
Californians eager to see this sight in person will want to make their way to The Huntington as soon as possible because its "dramatic display" is short-lived.
How long does a corpse flower bloom?
The bloom lasts for 24 to 48 hours, according to The Huntington, making it "one of the rarest and shortest-lived spectacles in the plant world."
How often does the corpse flower bloom?
The bloom cycle is every two to three years in cultivation at The Huntington, according to the library and gardens.
How many corpse flowers are there?
According to The Huntington, there are fewer than 1,000 corpse flowers remaining in the wild. The plants are native to Indonesia.
See corpse flower live stream
Can't make it in person? There is a YouTube livestream of the corpse flower bloom at The Huntington.
How much are The Huntington tickets?
Tickets for adults are $29 Monday through Thursday and $34 Friday through Sunday and during peak seasons and holidays.
Tickets are $24 Monday through Thursday for students 12-18 or full time with an ID and $28 Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $13 for children ages four to 11 Monday through Thursday and $15 Friday through Sunday. Children under four can visit The Huntington for free.
Tickets can be purchased online at the huntington.org.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's time to see the 'rotting flesh' smelling corpse flowers in SoCal
Reporting by Paris Barraza, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 11:52 AM.