Cronus, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s famed titan arum, is bulking up in the RainForest, and horticulture staff says its infamous bloom could pop any day now. The show is huge, rare, and legendarily foul-smelling, and it usually lasts only 24 to 48 hours, which means long lines for a very short viewing window.
“We could see a flower sometime in the next couple of days,” horticulturist Leigh Ann Lomax told FOX8, adding that Cronus currently stands at roughly four feet tall as the spadix pushes upward. The station reported that zoo staff are expecting heavy interest and have moved the plant outdoors near the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve so more visitors can crowd in for a look.
Cronus's history and what to watch for
Cronus arrived at the zoo as a seedling in 1994 and has only managed a handful of blooms since. Staff list flowers in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2019, and 2022. The titan arum can put on several inches of growth in a single day as it builds toward a bloom, then slows down just before the spathe unfurls. Once it finally opens, the spectacle typically lasts about 24 to 48 hours. Those details and Cronus’s bloom history are laid out in a Cleveland Zoological Society post compiled from the zoo’s horticulture team.
Where to see it and how to plan your visit
The zoo has a habit of relocating Cronus to a more public spot whenever a bloom is on the horizon so visitors can see it without packing into the off-exhibit greenhouse. This time around, that means an outdoor setup near the rhinos. For the latest visiting hours, ticket information, and any livestream or extended-hours announcements while the bloom is happening, check the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo website for current details and visitor guidance.
Why all the fuss
The titan arum is not just a smelly novelty. It is an endangered species in the wild and gives the zoo a high-profile way to talk about rainforest conservation and pollinator biology. As the bloom opens, the plant generates heat that helps spread a carrion-like scent meant to lure in beetles and flies, a strategy Cleveland Zoo horticulture staff have described in previous writeups about Cronus.
If you are planning a trip, going early is your best bet. Past blooms have prompted the zoo to open earlier or keep gates open later, and long queues are the norm. Check tickets and real-time updates on the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo site before you head out, and keep an eye on the zoo’s social channels for the fastest word on whether Cronus has finally opened.
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