If you’re looking for a spooky Halloween experience, you don’t have to go to a haunted train station or even to the “wrong” Berlin. All it takes is a trip to Lichterfelde, into the warm, humid world of the Botanical Garden. There, a plant straight out of a horror movie grows: the titan arum, Amorphophallus titanum.
When the titan arum (also known as the “corpse flower”) blooms, it gives off a smell of rotting meat, rotten eggs, and old cheese. So head to the botanical garden! And if you want to top off your Halloween outing, why not go to this spooky concert?
The titan arum at the Berlin Botanical Garden: A scent like that of a broken refrigerator
The titan arum has the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. It can shoot up to 3 meters high (see cover photo above from Bonn), enveloped by a deep red, velvety bract that resembles a vampire’s cape.
Unlike a vampire, however, the plant is very warm. To ensure the scent spreads far and wide, the flower spike heats up to temperatures close to human body heat (about 36° Celsius). Perhaps a vampire with a fever…
Extremely rare, heavy, and shy
In its native habitat, the rainforests of Sumatra, the plant uses this stench to attract carrion beetles and flies, which pollinate it. The plant initially produces just a single giant leaf, then retracts it and stores energy in a massive tuber that can weigh over 100 kg.
It’s nearly impossible to predict when it will bloom. There are often many years between blooming periods. And then the spectacle lasts only briefly: The flower usually opens for just about 3 days and then collapses. The Berlin titan arum last bloomed in June 2025, reaching a record height of 2.36 meters.
Why We Love the Botanical Garden in Berlin So Much
The Berlin Botanical Garden is one of the most important of its kind worldwide. In the Great Tropical House, one of the tallest greenhouses in Europe, tropical plants find ideal conditions. The titan arum thrives here.
When it begins to bloom, hundreds of curious visitors flock to the garden. The garden then posts updates on its website and social media channels (see above), and if necessary, opening hours are extended so that as many people as possible can witness the spectacle.
Tips for your visit
- Check in advance: The best way to find out whether a titan arum is currently blooming or showing buds is to contact the Botanical Garden directly. But even without a bloom, it’s worth a visit.
- Get there early: Long lines form when it blooms, and the window of opportunity is short.
- Hold on to your nose: If you’re sensitive, it’s best not to stand right next to the spadix.
- With kids: Experience shows that the topic of stench goes over exceptionally well with the little ones.
Whether it’s in bloom or not: A pilgrimage to the queen of stinking death is definitely worth it, especially on Halloween.
