Amorphophallus

( ay - mor - fo - FAL - uss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes many tropical and subtropical tuberous herbaceous plants that are native to Asia, Africa, Australia, and various oceanic islands. There are a few species that are considered edible after careful preparation, though these plants are better known for their impressively large blooms, some of which have an unpleasant odor to them and appear after about seven years of growth. The most recognizable species is the 'Corpse Flower' (Amorphophallus titanum), which produces a pungent odor from a Jurassic-sized inflorescence. Use these plants to add a tropical look to the landscape, or simply grow them as specimens for their impressive flowers. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as plant parts can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Amorphophallus Species and Varietals

The genus Amorphophallus is a member of the Philodendron plant family Araceae, and includes 230 species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words for misshapen/without form (amorphos) and penis (phallos). These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 6-11 or Sunset growing zones 1-26, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Amorphophallus gigas (Amorphophallus brooksii) (Giant Corpse Flower, Giant Voodoo Lily)
This species can reach up to over 11 feet tall when in bloom, and flowers have the scent of rotting flesh which attracts their main pollinators, flies. These plants are native to Sumatra, and have very large spathes and spadices.

Amorphophallus konjac (Konnyaku, Konjac, Devil's Tongue, Voodoo Lily, Snake Palm, Elephant Yam, Umbrella Arum, Leopard Palm, Konnyaku Potato)
This species is native to subtropical and tropical areas of Asia, and produces a corm that can reach up to 10 inches in diameter. Corms are used to create flour and jelly, and are also a great vegan substitute for gelatin. Individual plants reach up to 3-6 feet tall and have a spread of 3-4 feet.

Amorphophallus longispathaceus (Pungapong)
This species of Corpse Flower is native to the Philippines and Indonesia, and produces a single tall compound leaf on a thick, fleshy stalk. The underground tuber is bowl-shaped. Mature plants put out large, purplish inflorescences that reach up to over three feet tall and produce a rotting flesh scent to attract pollinators.

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Elephant Foot Yam, Whitespot Giant Arum, Stink Lily, Sweet Yam, Telingo Potato)
These plants are native to tropical Southeast Asia, and are cultivated for their edible tubers in their native range. It is a popular vegetable in the area. When flowers are in bloom, they produce noticeable heat and a rotting flesh smell. Roots are used in curries, mashed, fried, pickled, or sliced and made into chips.

Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum, Corpse Flower, Corpse Plant)
These flowering plants produce a large, unbranched inflorescence, a tall single leaf branched like a tree, and a heavy tuber. This species is native to rainforests on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It blooms infrequently for a short period of time. Underground tubers increase in size each year, and plants can live for seven years. Tubers at the end of the plant's life can reach over 200 lbs.

Caring for Amorphophallus

These lilies do best when planted in a place in the garden that is protected in partial shade to full sun. Because these impressive plants are from tropical areas of the globe, they do need a good amount of protection from drying winds, direct hot sun, and extreme cold and frost. In most temperate zones, they are best when grown inside or in a greenhouse. Due to the putrid smell of the flowers when they finally emerge, these plants are typically planted away from windows, walkways and doors. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Install corms between 4 and 8 inches under the soil surface spaced 18 to 28 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. The best time of the year to plant corms is in springtime, after soil temperatures have risen above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The corms take about three to seven years to mature before they will begin to produce flowers.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, Corpse Flowers appreciate consistently moist soils during their active growing and blooming periods. As a general rule of thumb, they should be watered when the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering these plants, which can quickly lead to bulb rot. In fall or winter, when plants are dormant, reduce waterings and allow foliage to die back naturally. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Prune to remove dead or yellowing leaves to redirect energy to new growth.

Harvesting Amorphophallus
Amorphophallus root, or Konjac, has been a staple food in Asian cuisines for centuries; it is perfect for vegan and low-carb diets. Corms are typically at a harvestable size after a year in the ground. Late fall to early wintertime is the best season to harvest the corms; cool weather plays an important role in ensuring top-quality corms for processing. The corms are not edible fresh - do not attempt to consume them without processing them first, as they are toxic. Dig up corms carefully, making sure to not nick them as they are brought up. Then, rinse them to remove dirt and any debris and use a peeler to remove their skin. The root can then be sliced and cooked.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Amorphophallus plants can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed, though both options are a bit difficult to complete successfully. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Amorphophallus, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Amorphophallus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Take a 2-6 inch cutting from a mature leaf. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). It can also help to place the pot on top of a heating mat to keep temperatures high. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about three months, the cutting should have produced a small tuber with no roots yet, and over time (after four to five months' time) the tuber should have produced roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, potting up as necessary.

Propagating Amorphophallus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. They are contained inside of the fruiting bodies held on the spadix of the inflorescence, which are typically bright reddish-orange colored. Remove the seeds from their fruits and rinse them to remove any flesh.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Pot up the seedling as needed.