Family: Araceae
Scientific name: Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
Common name: Elephant yam
Origin: Tropical Asia

This Amorphophallus species is among the most unusual plants. The beautiful flowers, the typical growth of the leaf and the not very complex care make this plant a must for any plant lover. This species is the little brother of the Amorphophallus titanum, the stinking flower that always makes the news and is known as the largest flower in the world. For the big brother, a large tropical greenhouse or a garden in the tropics is needed quickly. But this species can also be cultivated ‘normally’ at home.
The only drawback is the fragrance that the plant spreads during its flowering, because it can (max. 1-2 days) sometimes be an annoyance at home. Anyway, you can simply place the plant somewhere else, since its bloom is stunningly beautiful. The plant grows as a bulb out of the ground and dies away again after flowering. The first few years, a leaf will appear, growing larger, until the plant is ready to bloom. Furthermore, the tubers can reach a weight up to 10 kg.

Sowing description: Sow seeds in sowing soil in a warm spot indoors. The plant grows as a root vegetable and dies off every winter, only leaving the tuber. Store the tubers over the winter in a cool, dry environment.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celcius

Photo 2: Via Flickr: Removebeforeflight