Titan Arum

Native to Sumatra, this flower gets its name, titan, from the Greek word for giant because it’s truly a giant flower. When in bloom, it can reach heights of up to 20 feet and can measure up to 16 feet wide! It’s not only an astonishingly massive flower, but the titan arum also has an unforgettable stench. Designed to attract pollinators, the flower’s pungent smell has been described as a combination of olfactory horror including rotting fish, limburger cheese, chloraseptic, and sweaty socks paired with a slightly sweet aromatic note.

Thankfully for fresh air’s sake, the titan arum rarely blooms — sometimes as infrequently as once per decade.

Hydnora Africana

Native to southern Africa, this subterranean plant, the hydnora africana lives completely under ground until its dread blooms burst through the soils. This parasitic plant has no chlorophyll, but feeds on the roots of neighboring plants. Its flowers resemble the toothed mouths of hungry monsters. They emit a foul smell, which attracts dung beetles and flies. When insects venture past the flower’s “teeth” the bloom snaps shut, trapping the unsuspecting insect for days, until it’s sufficiently smothered in pollen.

Stinking Corpse Lily

This giant bloom resembles something from an alien world or “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” but it’s actually native to Sumatra, like the titan arum. This plant boasts the largest single flower on Earth, as its petals have been measured extending to nearly three-an-a-half feet in diameter. Unlike other flowers, the stinking corpse lily has no roots, leaves, or stems. Rather, it thrives like a parasitic fungus, living inside and off nutrients gathered from host vines. As its name suggests, this flower packs a powerful punch to the nose. It attracts beetles and flies with its strong smell of decayed flesh.

Chrysanthemums

Traditionally regarded as cheerful, potted chrysanthemums make the perfect choice for autumn flowers. They look beautiful around an entryway or next to the front door. They can also be used as centerpieces. Plus, they’re available in almost every color, including all the October favorites like yellow, gold, orange, and burgundy. Just be sure to bring them indoors before a frost!

Black Roses

No flower screams Halloween louder than the black rose. Arranged in an all-black bouquet, they create an especially macabre vibe. For a more festive, less scary, effect combine them with a variety of orange and yellow flowers. Tie the arrangement off with a ghostly ribbon and add a few sparkly touches, like glittery bats or spiders for fun effect.

Snapdragon Seed Pods

It’s hard to believe that these grim, little seed pods grow naturally and aren’t manufactured for the shelves of Halloween supply stores. That’s right. These teeny-tiny skulls start their lives as vibrantly blooming snapdragons. After the flowers die and the pods release their seeds, the pods are left looking like tiny skulls on a monster’s miniature stake. Add them to your arrangements or pop them into a front door wreath for an extra spooky look.