16 Plants That Smell Best at Night

Angel's Trumpet

• Botanical name: Brugmansia
• Also known as: Datura
• Zones: USDA 8 through 12
• Care: Thrives in sun or shade; requires regular watering

These South American natives bearing trumpet-shaped flowers in white, pink, or yellow grow well under eaves and against walls. Container-grown plants will be smaller and can be moved indoors if frost is a threat. Its fragrance picks up at night. The only angel's trumpet that is not scented is B. sanguinea, which has an orange-red flower.

Casa Blanca Lily

• Botanical name: Lilium 'Casa Blanca'
• Zones: USDA 3 through 9
• Care: Roots should be kept cool, while tops should be in sun or filtered light; needs regular watering

This Asian lily should be planted in spring or fall and will bloom in August and September. It looks good when planted in groups of three or five identical bulbs and is happy in a container. A large white bloom, Casa Blanca produces a sweet aroma.

Evening Primrose

• Botanical name: Oenothera caespitosa
• Also known as: Tufted, Fragrant or White Evening Primrose
• Zones: USDA 5 through 8
• Care: Partial shade to full sun; needs little to moderate watering

A native to the western United States, this perennial/biennial attracts night-flying insects which are drawn to the flower's lovely scent. As the name might imply, evening primrose opens quickly at dusk or on overcast days. White to pink blooms are heavy in spring to autumn. Evening Primrose is a drought-tolerant plant that grows in poor soil or rocky areas and likes full sun. 

Yellow Evening Primrose

• Botanical name: Oenathera biennis
• Zones: USDA 5 through 8
• Care: Drought tolerant; grows in dry climates

Another variation of O. caespitosa, yellow O. biennis attracts moths, hummingbirds, honeybees, and bumblebees, which pollinate the primrose. Easy to grow, it can become tall during its second year, when it flowers, sets seed and dies.

Flowering Tobacco

• Botanical name: Nicotiana. Scented species include: N. alata 'Grandiflora', N. sylvestris
• Also known as: Jasmine tobacco
• Zones: USDA 10 through 11
• Care: Partial shade or full sun; regular water

These South American natives are upright growers that can be identified by their large, oval leaves, sticky stems, and foliage. Tubular flowers open after dark and on cloudy days and are especially fragrant at night. 

4 O'Clock

• Botanical name: Mirabilis jalapa
• Also know as: Marvel of Peru, Beauty of the Night
• Zones: USDA 7 through 11
• Care: Full sun; little water

A native to Peru, Marvel of Peru seeds were sent to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. Mounding plants that reach heights of three to four feet, four o'clocks are enjoyed for their variety of colors: yellow, red, pink, white, and variations thereof. Not surprisingly, flower blossoms become more fragrant in the late afternoon (around four pm) until early morning hours.

Gardenias

• Botanical names: Gardenia augusta, G jasminoides
• Zones: USDA 8 through 11
• Care: Partial shade or full sun; regular or ample water 

A native to Japan, China, and Taiwan, this plant is noted for its glossy, bright green leaves and single or double white flowers that are strongly scented. To grow, plant them in fast-draining soil with plenty of organic amendments and give them room for their roots to spread. Gardenias perform well in containers, raised beds, as espaliers, and as low privacy or green screens.

Heliotrope

• Botanical name: Heliotropium Peruvianum
• Also known as: Common heliotrope
• Zones: USDA 10 through 11
• Care: Regular water

A native of Peru, this flower is a summer annual that produces blooms in purples, blues, violets, and whites. Most do well in pots and containers and need well-drained soil. Their sent is sweet and delicate.

Hellebore

• Botanical name: Helleborus
• Zones: Varies by species
• Care: Partial or full shade; water varies by species.

The flowers of most hellebores are shaped like bells or cups, either facing outward or drooping. Species that smell good include:

• H. 'HCG Champion'
• H. 'HCG Josef Lemper'
• H. 'Molly's White'
• H. 'Gertrude Jekyll'
• H. odorous: some are sweet, while others smell "skunky" or have no scent

Bear's-foot hellebore (H. foetidus) bears clusters of flowers that are light green with purplish-red edges that become foul-smelling (malodorous) if crushed or bruised. This is also known as the stinking hellebore.

Jasmine

• Botanical name: Jasminum. Scented species include J. floridum, J. humile (Italian jasmine), J laurifolium nitidum shining jasmine, angelwing jasmine), J. officinale (common white jasmine, poet's jasmine), J. polyanthum, J. sambac (Arabian jasmine, pikake)
• Zones: Vary by species
• Care: Light shade to full sun; moderate to regular water

The species listed above are especially fragrant; some jasmines have little or no fragrance. Most are vining shrubs that grow quickly if given good soil and regular sunlight. Flowers are white, yellow, and pink. J. sambac Arabian jasmine 'Grand Duke' produces double flowers that are used for leis in Hawaii and for making perfume. In Asia, this species is used to make jasmine tea.

Kahili Ginger

• Botanical name: Hedychium gardneranum 
• Zones: USDA 9 through 11
• Care: Light shade; ample water

This tropical beauty is native to Asia, India, and the Himalayas. Kahili ginger grows to 8 feet high, which would make a dramatic accent to a garden that borders a patio or deck. Flowers are yellow with red stamens and produce a rich fragrance, especially during late summer evenings. Believe it or not, this ginger is considered a pest on the big island of Hawaii.

Mexican Orange

• Botanical name: Choysia ternata
• Also known as: Mock Orange
• Zones: USDA 6 through 9 and 14 through 24
• Care: Full sun in cool climates; moderate water

This Mexican native features clusters of sweet-smelling white flowers that resemble orange blossoms just like orange jasmine. Flowers open in late winter or early spring and bloom continuously for a few months, then intermittently throughout the summer—attractive to bees and makes a good privacy hedge or screen.

Moonflower

• Botanical name: Ipomoea alba (Calonyction aculeatum)
• Zones: Vary by species
• Care: Full sun; moderate to regular water

Ipomoea, or morning glories, are native to tropical and subtropical regions. The genus includes several ornamental vines, including the sweet potato (edible). I alba, or moonflower, a fast-growing vine that can provide shade for an arbor, patio roof, gazebo, or trellis. With the right growing conditions, it can reach 20 to 30 feet in just one season. Leaves are heart-shaped, and blooms resemble funnels. Flowers are white, appear in the evening, and are visible and extremely fragrant throughout the night. 

Night-Blooming Jasmine

• Botanical name: Cestrum nocturnum
• Zones: Vary
• Care: Partial shade; regular water

This fast-growing shrub native to the West Indies can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide. Creamy white blossoms appear in summer, producing a powerful fragrance at night. It prefers full sun for the most beautiful blooms.

Plumeria

• Botanical name: Frangipani, Pua Melia. 
• Zones: Vary
• Care: Partial shade; moderate water

This native to tropical America is grown as a shrub or small tree in warmer climates. Flowers range from white to yellow to pink and variegated. Flowers are sweet-scented and bloom spring through fall.

Wax Flower

• Botanical name: Hoya
• Also know as: Wax plant
• Zones: Vary
• Care: Partial or full shade; regular water

A native to Burma, southern China, and India, this tropical plant gets its name from its waxy leaves and flower clusters. A slow-growing, woody vine, H. carnosa does well in hanging baskets on patios and porches. Flowers are creamy-white with a pink center and produce a lovely fragrance that is stronger at night.