GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Visitors at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park next week will have the chance to see -- and smell -- the corpse flower in bloom.

The corpse flower is known as the worst-smelling flower in the world. When it blooms, it is said to smell strongly of "rotting flesh."

Meijer Gardens' corpse flower, named "Putricia" by staff members for its imminent putrid smell, will bloom for the first time since it was planted as a seedling in August 2000.

The 18-year-old flower is expected to bloom in the next six to nine days, but it's largely unpredictable, Meijer Gardens Horticulture Manager Wendy Overbeck said. The closer the bloom gets, the easier it will be to estimate.

"We're thinking July 11-14 is our target, but that target can move," Overbeck said. "It's not a guarantee, it's just a best guess based on other research done by people who have had these and kept track of all of their timing and growth rates and so on."

"Putricia" has recently averaged a growth of 3 inches per day, and now stands nearly 4 feet tall. When Meijer Gardens received the flower as a seedling, it was in a 4 1/2-inch pot.

We are excited for you to meet "Putricia" - our Amorphophallus titanum, or corpse flower! When it blooms, the plant... Posted by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Thursday, July 5, 2018

"It's growing fast enough that we measure it two times a day," Overbeck said. "It's kind of like watching the moon rise, you know? It's theoretic, you can't see it, but you know it's coming up fast."

The rotting flesh smell during its bloom is the flower's niche, Overbeck said. While most plants attract pollinators through nectar or specific colors, the corpse flower uses its potent smell, deep maroon color and heat.

Its full bloom will only last a few days, but during that time, visitors to the gardens will be able to come see and smell the flower.

"I think people are absolutely going to love it," Overbeck said. "I think even though it's supposed to smell terrible, people will be fascinated by it. It's such a weird, strange thing."

Corpse flowers are relatively rare and are found naturally in Indonesia and Sumatra, Overbeck said. They usually bloom every seven to 10 years, but it's highly unpredictable. The corpse flower is the largest flowering structure in the world.

Overbeck said Meijer Gardens is expecting visitors to be interested by and excited about the plant.

Tickets to the Meijer Gardens, a botanical garden and sculpture park, are $14.50 for adults, $11 for seniors 65 and older and students, $7 for children ages 5 to 13, $4 for children ages 3 to 4 and free for children ages 2 and younger.

"Even if you're not a plant enthusiast, it's just so bizarre," Overbeck said. "It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities."