Best Smelling Indoor Plants

Imagine your home filled with the natural and enchanting fragrances of flowers and leaves, turning your living space into a serene oasis. Indoor plants not only add a splash of greenery but also the joy of delightful scents. The best smelling indoor plants are treasures, offering both beauty and a natural way to keep your home smelling fresh. With each breath, you’re reminded of the wonders of nature. Let’s explore some of these fragrant wonders that can transform your indoors. 

10 Best Indoor Plants that Smell Great

A home garden is incomplete without the inclusion of fragrant flowers. The scent of a flower can be just as important as its appearance. Choosing the right plants for your indoor spaces means looking for more than just visual appeal. The fragrance factor plays a significant role in creating an inviting atmosphere. Let’s explore the best indoor plants that smell great!

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular scented plants to grow indoors. This plant is cherished for its soothing fragrance and lovely purple blooms. To truly thrive, lavender requires a good amount of sunlight, so place it near a bright window where it can soak up the rays. With its fragrant flowers and leaves, lavender not only perfumes the air but also adds a touch of Provence to your indoor garden.

When considering plants to grow for their aromatic qualities, lavender should be at the top of the list. It’s relatively easy to care for, and with the right conditions—plenty of light and not too much water—its flowers and leaves will release that signature scent we all love. It’s a perfect plant for those looking to bring a bit of the outdoor garden inside.

Jasmine

Jasmine plants, particularly the Arabian jasmine and the related orange jessamine, are renowned for their exquisitely scented flowers. These plants thrive in a humid environment, making them ideal for a well-lit bathroom or kitchen. The jasmine variety known as murraya paniculata, or orange jessamine, offers the added bonus of glossy evergreen foliage alongside its sweet fragrance.

For those who love the look and smell of jasmine, the Madagascar jasmine provides another excellent indoor option. Its starry white flowers emit a delightful scent, and while it’s not a true jasmine, this plant, with its twining habit, brings a similar olfactory charm to your home. Remember, these jasmine varieties love their moisture, so keep their soil evenly damp to keep them blooming and fragrant.

Gardenia

Gardenias are famous for their heady aroma, which can fill a room with its potent, sweet fragrance. These plants can be a bit more demanding, requiring high humidity and consistent temperatures to flourish indoors. Yet, the effort is rewarded when they produce their creamy white flowers, each one a natural diffuser for their intoxicating scent.

Those who choose to include gardenias in their indoor plant collection will find that the rich scent is well worth the extra attention these plants demand. Ensuring the right environment will keep gardenias healthy and blooming, allowing their heady aroma to become a signature scent in your home, reminiscent of a lush, tropical garden.

Angel’s Trumpet

Angel’s Trumpet is a dramatic addition to any indoor space, with its large, trumpet-shaped flowers that prefer a sunny window to thrive. This plant loves warmth and will do best when the temperature around it stays above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When it blooms, the Angel’s Trumpet releases a sweet, captivating fragrance that’s especially noticeable in the evenings.

Their impressive flowers not only look stunning but also emit a heavenly scent that can create a truly exotic ambiance in your home. Just be sure to give these beauties plenty of sunlight by placing them in a sunny window, and they’ll reward you with their show-stopping blooms and enchanting fragrance.

Citrus

Citrus trees are not only prized for their juicy fruits but also for their lush green foliage and citrusy scent. They’re a vibrant choice for an indoor setting, and with the right care, including regular feeding with plant food, they’ll produce fragrant blossoms followed by actual fruit. A sunny spot with lots of light is essential for the health of citrus trees, so be sure they’re placed where they can bask in the sunshine.

Corsage Orchid

The corsage orchid, known scientifically as brassavola nodosa, is a stunning choice for those seeking fragrance and exotic beauty. Its yellow flowers emit a delightful scent, especially in the evening. To care for corsage orchids, water them regularly in spring and summer, allowing the potting mix to dry slightly between waterings. Be cautious of direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

Begonia

Begonias, particularly the tea rose begonia, are celebrated for their sweet smell and beautiful pink flowers. These plants thrive with ample humidity and require indirect light to prevent burning their delicate leaves. Evergreen leaves and a continuous show of flowers make begonias a charming addition to any indoor garden. They’re perfect for brightening up a room with partial sun and bringing a sweet scent into the mix.

Heliotrope

Heliotropes are known for their clusters of purple flowers that emit a strong, sweet fragrance, reminiscent of vanilla. To keep these plants happy, use a well-draining potting soil and place them where they can receive plenty of sunlight. The flowers emit their strongest scent on warm, sunny days, making them a delightful choice for an indoor plant that smells great.

These purple flowers are not only visually striking but also a source of an inviting aroma that can permeate a room. Heliotropes are a wonderful option for those looking to add both color and fragrance to their indoor plant collection.

Bay Laurel

Bay laurel, with its fragrant leaves, is a versatile plant that serves both as a culinary herb and an aromatic indoor plant. To care for bay laurel, use a well-draining potting mix and place it in a spot with good air circulation. The fragrant leaves can be used fresh or dried in cooking, adding a touch of flavor and fragrance to your dishes as well as your home.

Bay laurel’s fragrant leaves are not only useful in the kitchen but also provide a subtle, pleasant aroma when grown indoors. This plant is both practical and aromatic, making it a favorite among indoor gardeners who appreciate both form and function in their plant choices.

Passion Flower

Passion flower is a remarkable climbing plant, known for its intricate and exotic-looking flowers. This vigorous grower can be trained up a trellis or support, making it a striking addition to your indoor plant collection. The unique blooms add a tropical flair to any space, and while the scent is not as strong as other plants, the visual impact is undeniable.

Wrap-Up!

Bringing beauty and fragrance indoors with these aromatic houseplants not only brightens up living spaces but can also serve as a natural air freshener. From the subtly scented lemon balm to the sweetly scented flowers of stephanotis, each plant adds a distinct aroma that can transform a home. Remember to provide plenty of light for your plants and water them when the soil feels dry to keep them thriving. And if you’re after those gorgeously fragrant blooms, the stephanotis floribunda, with its star-shaped flowers, is a sure bet.