Amorphophallus konjac 1gal

Step back into the Jurassic period with Amorphophallus konjac, one of the most eccentric and fascinating additions you can make to a woodland garden. This isn't just a plant; it's a conversation piece. Growing from a large underground corm, it sends up a single, thick, fleshy stalk—splashed with intricate olive and cream mottled patterns—that looks more like a snake's skin than a stem. This stalk tops out with a massive, umbrella-like canopy of divided, bright green leaves, giving it a tropical, architectural "palm tree" silhouette that provides incredible structural motion in a summer breeze.

While the foliage is stunning, the "magic" happens when the plant reaches maturity. In early spring, before the leaves appear, it sends up a spectacular, alien-looking inflorescence: a giant, deep maroon-purple spathe surrounding a long, dark spadix. It is famous (or perhaps infamous) for its "corpse flower" fragrance during its first day of bloom—a pungent scent designed to attract carrion flies for pollination. It prefers part shade to full shade and loves rich, organic, "humusy" soil that stays consistently moist during the growing season. In the fall, the plant goes completely dormant, retreating back into its corm for a winter nap.

Wildlife & Unique Features: This is a plant for the true collector! While its scent attracts specialized pollinators like beetles and flies, its unique chemistry and unusual texture make it highly deer and rabbit resistant. In its native Asia, the corm is used to create "konjac" or "konnyaku" (though we recommend enjoying it purely for its ornamental weirdness!). It is surprisingly hardy to Zone 6 if planted deeply and heavily mulched, but many gardeners in the north prefer to lift the corm and store it in a dry, frost-free spot for the winter.

Why We Love It: > Because every garden needs a little drama! We love the "wow factor" of that snakeskin-patterned stem and the way the giant leaf creates a lush, jungle feel in the middle of the Midwest. It’s weird, it’s wild, and seeing that massive maroon bloom for the first time is a rite of passage for every adventurous gardener.