Corpse Flower Plant Care

Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus bulbifer) belongs to the Araceae family within the Amorphophallus genus. Corpse Flower is native to Assam. Corpse Flower is also known as Voodoo Lily, Dragon Plant.

Corpse Flower displays a large, solitary leaf growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Corpse Flower produces unique, foul-smelling inflorescence.

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Corpse Flower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Corpse Flower thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Corpse Flower in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Amorphophallus bulbifer tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Corpse Flower prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, rich organic soil with added perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Corpse Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Corpse Flower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining, rich organic soil with added perlite and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Corpse Flower is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Corpse Flower can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Corpse Flower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Corpse Flower is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Corpse Flower can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to toad lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Corpse Flower is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Corpse Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Corpse Flower is native to Assam.