ST. LOUIS — Something “scent-sational” is set to bloom at the Missouri Botanical Garden as soon as next week. 

A rare plant named Octavia is set to bloom again between July 25 and 29. The Amorphophallus titanum flower, better known as the “corpse flower,” is a large and fast-blooming flower.

MoBOT said Octavia split earlier this year, resulting in two tubers ready to bloom. The second is expected to bloom shortly after Octavia next week.

Octavia is measuring at 45 inches and is growing three to four inches a day. Her clone is measuring at 20 inches and growing an inch and a half a day. 

During the blooming process, the plant will emit a foul odor from a tall spike of flowers, which often lasts just for a day, according to MoBOT.

The corpse flower will maintain its full form for about 24 hours and the foul odor lasting for around six to 12 hours.

The plant will bloom in the late afternoon and peak after dark. The Garden will open late on the evening of the bloom.

Both corpse flowers are located in the Linnean House at the Garden. General admission is $14 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. Garden members are free.

Since 2012, there have been 12 corpse flowers to bloom in the Garden. The most recent bloom was in July 2022 with Luna, a 31-pound corpse flower.

Corpse flowers can take five to 10 years to grow until it is ready for their first bloom. Corpse flowers bloom every one to two years after the first bloom. 

Octavia first bloomed in July 2017 and attempted again in July 2019, when it grew to a record 93 inches, but failed to bloom. In 2021, Octavia measured at 87 inches.

For more information about hours, events and tickets, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website.

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