May 14, 2025 - News

Corpse flower countdown: Stink Floyd nears bloom

Jason Clayworth

A photo of a corpse flower. — Stink Floyd's first flower happened inside the greenhouse at Iowa State University and was not open for public viewing. Photos: Courtesy of Reiman Gardens

Stink Floyd, the corpse flower at Iowa State's Reiman Gardens, is this close to unleashing its signature stench.

The big picture: When? "That's the million-dollar question!" Reiman spokesperson Andrew Gogerty tells Axios.

"We know it's close, but that's all we know."

The intrigue: Corpse flowers, endangered plants originating from Sumatra, are the drama queens of the plant world — taking up to a decade to bloom for the first time and remaining unpredictable.

State of play: Greater DSM Botanical Garden's Carrie the Corpse Flower bloomed in 2017 but has since been infected with nematodes, the Register reports.

Yes, but: Some of Carrie's "babies" are nearly healthy enough to bloom.

What's next: For now, Iowa waits for Stink Floyd's stench. Keep up with its progress on Reiman's website.

👃🏼 Go: Reiman Gardens is open daily 9am-5pm and until 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

$12 general admission.

Add Axios on Google

Corpse flower countdown: Stink Floyd nears bloom

More Des Moines stories