In December 2019, I purchased my first Amorphophallus konjac – also known as the Voodoo Lily or Corpse Flower. I couldn’t wait for Spring to begin when I could watch this plant grow!
When I bought the tuber (also called a corm), it was already 2-3 years old and was the size of a grapefruit (that’s the tuber in the photo).
The Voodoo Lily – I call her ‘Audrey’ – didn’t flower the first Spring I had it, but I’m almost certain it’s going to flower now – my second year of growing this plant. Read along and watch Audrey change from day-to-day. I’ll post updates here as I chronicle her growth. Click any photo below to enlarge for a better view. 😉
You can read more about this plant at House Plant – Voodoo Lily.
Latest Update: March 9, 2021 (scroll down for the latest entry)
The First Year
When I first purchased the dry tuber at the end of 2019, I sat it on a shelf in a cool area in anticipation of the coming Spring. Such an odd looking tuber!
On March 2, 2020, the Voodoo Lily started her growth for the year. I was very happy that the tuber survived the Winter and was looking forward to seeing what this plant would look like once it started to grow.
The stalk grew rapidly – we were amazed that it could grow 2 inches in one day. I knew from research that this plant typically sends up the flower first. Then after several days, the flower dies. The plant rests for a short period and then the leaf emerges. As the stalk was growing, I was expecting a flower. Instead, this tuber skipped the flowering stage for the year, and the leaf emerged instead. I was somewhat disappointed, but watching the leaf grow was amazing. I’ve never seen a leaf like the one on this plant – so very unique. My entire family was thoroughly enjoying watching Audrey grow as we marveled over her beautiful, peculiar leaf.
The leaf reached maturity by June and was a beautiful houseplant! It grew to about 4-1/2 feet tall by about 6 feet in diameter. The speckled stalk looked amazing and the umbrella shaped leaf was really a show stopper.
By around late August, the stalk started bending a little – more and more every day. I was propping it up just to help it support the large leaf system. Eventually, the leaf started drooping considerably as it was nearing the end of its life.
When the leaf turned brown and was completely bent over, I moved the plant to our basement and let the leaf continue to die off. When the leaf was completely brown and crispy, I moved the planter – with the brown leaf still attached – to a dark, cool shelf to be stored for the Winter.
The Second Year (current year)
This year marks the second year for me growing this plant. I think I’m even more excited this year, than I was last year! Here’s a timeline of Audrey’s new growth – so exciting!
1/13/21 (1″) – I took a peek at my Voodoo Lily. The crispy brown leaf had practically fallen off, so I gently pulled on it and off it came! Beneath the dead leaf, I spotted the little pink nub of new growth! The pink nub measured 1″ tall within the shallow cavity that was formed when I pulled the dead leaf out. I brought the planter back upstairs and placed it right next to my desk – which sits by huge floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows. Let the growth begin!
2/15/21 (1-1/4″) – Audrey is now 1-1/4″ tall. She looks a little different than she did last year when she first started emerging – more of a point at the top. I’m anxious to see if this is a leaf or a flower.
2/16/21 (1-1/2″) – Not a lot of growth overnight, but this plant is now at 1-1/2″ tall.
2/23/21 (3-3/4″) – Audrey has grown to 3-3/4″ tall. She’s looking very pretty!
2/27/21 (6″) – Just hit the 6″ mark! She’s growing like a weed!
2/28/21 (7-1/4″) – Audrey grew 1-1/4″ in one day! She’s now 7-1/4″ tall. I noticed today that part of the covering over the stalk looks like a protective sheath. I don’t remember Audrey doing this last year. Hmmmm…. maybe this is a flower stalk (or inflorescence) versus a leaf stalk.
3/1/21 (8-3/4″) – Wow! Another growth spurt – she’s now 8-3/4″ tall. The shape of the tip is different this year than last. There’s also an area closer to the base that is sort of bulging out – that didn’t happen last year either. I think she’s going to flower! And… here in Minnesota, in March, there is still a foot or more of snow on the ground and the temperatures are still hovering around freezing. It’s far too cold to put this plant outside when (if) she flowers. My family is concerned – LOL. We’ve never smelled a Corpse Flower before, but we all know it isn’t a pleasant smell. It will be interesting to see what happens if this really is an inflorescence!
3/2/21 (10″) – Over an inch growth overnight, Audrey is now 10″ tall. The bulge in the stalk is more noticeable today, as is the “flap” that is growing around the stalk. I really think this is an inflorescence versus a leaf!
3/3/21 (11-3/4″) – Wow! Almost another 2 inches of growth overnight. I’m going to need a longer ruler! The stalk portion beneath the bulge is taller today, and there is a small point peeking out of the sheath on the top now. The ruffled edge of the outer layer is lifting away a little bit. When you look really close at the top portion of this plant, you can see a deep burgundy color beneath the protective sheath. The tip that is starting to poke out does NOT look like the leaf that appeared last year. At this point, I feel confident that this is an inflorescence. And it’s SO exciting!!! Audrey is enjoying the bright sunshine and seems to be enjoying the long drinks I’ve been giving her – watering her around 20 ounces of water each afternoon. My family and I are really looking forward to her flower – I know it’s going to be amazing!
3/4/21 (13-1/2″) – Audrey has outgrown her ruler – had to switch to a yardstick today. She’s at 13-1/2″ now – almost a 2 inch growth since yesterday. The flower tip is starting to protrude more from the top. This is getting so exciting! You can also see more of the dark burgundy color near the tip, as well. I just have to marvel at this plant – how quick it grows and how unique it is. I’ve been sharing these updates with friends, and they’re pretty excited, too. Nature is pretty amazing, and how fortunate we are to be able to witness this up-close and personal.
3/6/21 (16″) – Audrey is getting taller and taller! She’s at 16″ today. The flower is much more pronounced now, with the tip growing out very quickly. I’ve increased the amount of water I give her each day – she’s a thirsty girl! It’s really cool to be able to see this flower emerging – can’t wait to see how large it gets!
3/9/21 (19″) – Audrey is now at 19″ tall. The flower is starting to emerge further and further each day. The flower is a dark burgundy color and is very dimpled, as you can see. It’s very unusual, sort of creepy, and way cool! My boys have started taking guesses as to when we’ll have to move out – er…. I mean, when the flower will open and stink. What date is your guess? Share in a comment below!
3/12/21 (21-1/4″) – Audrey’s flower is really starting to open – a lot! Sometimes when we look at the flower, we can actually see it opening! The stalk has grown considerably over the past three days as well. I don’t think there is an odor yet to the flower, but several of my family members swear they can smell it already. The dark burgundy is actually quite interesting. Wonder just how tall this flower will get?
Thank you so much for sharing Audrey’s journey! I recently purchased a voodoo lily from my local botanical garden and can’t wait for it to bloom, but maybe next year, it’s currently in leaf state. 🙂
WOW, what a trip! I have a dozen in planters… they are ferocious growers and spreaders! Absolutely fascinating to watch their speed of growth. GREAT documentation!!!!
Took 20 years for mine to bloom
Keep up the good work and if you have not already taken time to dig your plant up to see the increased size of the corm…your plant has a surprise for you
I have been growing this plant for the last 10 years or so am totally fascinated plant.
Each year I remove the plants from their containers to store them in my garage for the winter. And each year I am gifted with lots of little “bulbets”.
I now have five bulbs big enough to flower and some smaller bulbs only capable of sending up the leaf.
Needless to say that in my collection of arum…A. konjac is the mightiest plant in my garden.