Some houseplants do more than just look good – they also make your space smell amazing. From sweet floral scents to fresh, herbal notes, a few plants can really change the vibe of a room.
But it’s also good to keep in mind that not all fragrant plants are created equal when it comes to growing indoors.
The best smelling houseplants are the ones that offer great scent without needing complicated care. If you’re looking to add a little natural fragrance to your home, these plants are a great place to start.
Table of Contents
Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start? Easy, hard-to-kill plants like Monstera or Pothos are usually a great starting point.
💧 Water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting them sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for indoor plants - I personally use this one. A mix with peat, perlite, or coco coir is great for avoiding soggy roots.
☀️ Light: Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause leaf drop, while direct sun may scorch the leaves.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep them between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and away from drafts, heaters or air conditioners.
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro one) once a month during spring and summer. Hold off during fall and winter.
1. Jasmine Plant
You’ll probably notice the soft, sweet fragrance of the jasmine plant even before you spot its tiny white blooms. This scent gets stronger at night, making it a favorite for bedrooms and living rooms if you want a subtle aroma to enjoy as you unwind.
Jasmine is easy to care for with bright, indirect light and regular watering. You won’t need a green thumb to keep it happy, but keep in mind it does best in warm, draft-free spots indoors.
These plants can be grown in pots or hanging baskets, so you’ve got options to suit your space. If you love a gentle, floral scent that isn’t overpowering, adding a jasmine plant to your home can be a simple way to freshen up the air naturally.
2. Gardenia
Gardenias will quickly fill your space with a strong, sweet scent that stands out even among other fragrant plants. Their creamy white flowers open in the warmer months, so you’ll notice the aroma most when the weather gets a bit humid.
Caring for them does need a little extra attention. They like bright, indirect light and prefer soil that’s moist but not soggy.
You might find gardenias a little picky about temperature changes or drafts. Placing them in a stable, warm spot in your home helps them bloom and keep their scent at its best.
3. Lavender
Lavender stands out for its clean, herbal scent that’s not too strong. Many people find its fragrance relaxing and helpful for winding down at the end of the day.
You won’t need much to keep it happy indoors – just a sunny window and well-draining soil. It doesn’t require frequent watering, which makes care simple.
Lavender’s silvery-green leaves look nice even when it’s not blooming, so it still adds some charm to your space all year. When it does flower, the purple spikes bring a pop of color and fragrance.
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You can even snip fresh stems to keep around the house or use for homemade sachets. Lavender works well in living rooms or bedrooms where a subtle, natural scent is welcome.
4. Sweet Olive (Osmanthus)
Sweet Olive is a small shrub that fills a room with a soft, fruity scent. Its blooms are tiny and white or yellow, popping up a few times a year.
You can grow Sweet Olive in a bright spot with some morning sun. Just let the soil dry slightly before watering again.
This plant isn’t fussy, so you won’t need to fuss over it all the time. It’s a pleasant choice if you like a light, natural fragrance inside.
With regular care, Sweet Olive can last for years and keep bringing its gentle scent into your home.
5. Scented Geranium
Scented geraniums add a burst of fragrance to any room. You can find them with scents like lemon, rose, mint, or even chocolate. Just brushing the leaves between your fingers releases their aroma.
They’re easy to grow indoors with enough sunlight and occasional watering. These plants don’t need fussy care, so they’re great for beginners or busy households.
You might notice that their leaves are a bit fuzzy and often look quite different from regular geraniums. Whether on a sunny windowsill or in a hanging basket, they add both fragrance and fresh green color to your home.
6. Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant)
Hoya Carnosa, often called the Wax Plant, is known for its fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. When your plant blooms, you’ll notice a rich, sweet fragrance that’s strongest in the evening.
This scent lingers gently and isn’t likely to overwhelm a room. Lots of people describe it as similar to honey or sometimes vanilla.
Caring for this plant is pretty easy. It likes bright, indirect light and you should let the soil dry out between waterings. You might find it blooms more often as the plant matures.
7. Chocolate Cosmos
Chocolate cosmos brings a unique scent to your home that’s hard to miss. The flowers smell a lot like cocoa or sweet chocolate, making it a fun plant choice if you like dessert-like fragrances.
This plant has deep red to brownish blooms that look interesting too. It’s native to Mexico but does well in pots indoors as long as you give it enough sunlight.
You’ll want to keep the soil slightly moist and avoid letting it dry out totally. Since chocolate cosmos likes warmth, a sunny windowsill is perfect for helping it thrive.
8. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is a solid pick if you want a strong, true lemon scent in your space. Its leaves release their natural aroma even with a gentle touch, filling the air with a fresh, clean fragrance that isn’t overwhelming.
You’ll find lemon verbena easy to care for indoors as long as it gets enough sunlight. A sunny windowsill works well, and the plant doesn’t mind regular trimming.
The leaves can be used in simple homemade teas or to add a citrus note to recipes. Keep the soil slightly moist but avoid letting water collect at the bottom of the pot.
Pruning encourages bushier growth and brings even more fragrance into your kitchen or living room. It’s a nice option if you want a plant that keeps its scent over time.
9. Tuberose
Tuberose is famous for its strong, sweet perfume that fills a room, especially at night. The small, waxy white flowers release their scent after the sun goes down, making evenings indoors feel a bit special.
You can grow tuberose in pots or garden beds, but it needs plenty of sunlight and regular watering to bloom well. The flowers usually appear in summer, and just one or two stems are enough to make a whole space smell good.
Keep tuberose in a warm spot, and avoid letting the soil get soggy. With a little care, this plant rewards you with some of the most noticeable fragrance you’ll find from any flowering houseplant.
10. Stephanotis
Stephanotis, sometimes called Madagascar jasmine, is known for its white tubular flowers that have a pleasing sweet aroma. The scent gets stronger in the evening, especially when several blooms open at once.
You might spot Stephanotis vines in weddings – their waxy flowers are often used in bridal bouquets. As a houseplant, it’s best near bright windows but away from harsh midday sun.
The leaves are shiny and deep green, which can add a fresh look to any room. Regular misting and a touch of fertilizer in spring can help it stay healthy indoors.
Stephanotis likes to climb, so it does well with a small trellis or support. These plants prefer warm rooms and consistent moisture in the soil without being soggy.
11. Night Blooming Jasmine
Night Blooming Jasmine fills your evenings with a gentle, sweet aroma that’s easy to notice once dusk settles in. You’ll catch its scent mainly after dark, so it’s perfect for enjoying in bedrooms or near windows you keep open at night.
The flowers are small and simple, but they definitely make up for it with their smell. To keep this plant happy, give it bright, indirect light and water whenever the soil starts to feel dry.
Night Blooming Jasmine enjoys warm temperatures and a little humidity, but it’s not picky. In the right spot, you can enjoy its evening fragrance all season long.
12. Freesia
Freesia offers a clean, sweet scent that can fill your entire space without being too strong. The flowers grow in a range of colors, adding a bit of cheer to any room.
You can keep freesia near a sunny window where it gets lots of indirect light. Make sure the soil stays just a little bit moist – too much water can cause problems.
These houseplants are known for their trumpet-shaped blooms, and you’ll notice the fragrance is especially strong in the evenings. People often use freesia in bouquets because the smell is light and refreshing.
You might find that flowering lasts a few weeks, so it’s a good temporary way to freshen up your living area. Their scent is sometimes compared to fruit or a hint of honey.
13. Daphne
Daphne shrubs add a sweet, strong scent to your space, especially when they’re in bloom. Their small, pale blossoms often appear in late winter or spring, so you get a bit of fragrance when most other plants are still quiet.
These plants like bright, indirect light and don’t want to be too wet or too dry. You’ll have to be a bit patient, as they can be picky about changes to their surroundings.
While the aroma is lovely, it’s important to keep daphne away from curious kids and pets since all parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten. With some gentle care, you can enjoy their small, pretty flowers and the fresh perfume they bring indoors.
14. Murraya paniculata (Orange Jasmine)
Murraya paniculata, often called Orange Jasmine, brings a gentle citrus scent that’s easy to notice, especially in the evenings. The small white blossoms give off a clean aroma that’s not too strong or cloying.
You’ll notice the fragrance more when the plant’s in full bloom, so placing it near entryways or sitting areas makes sense. It’s a popular choice for indoor spaces if you can provide enough sunlight.
Regular watering helps keep Orange Jasmine healthy, but you’ll want to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Pruning keeps it tidy and encourages more flowers, which means more fragrance for your space.
15. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is well known for its clean, refreshing, and crisp aroma that can easily fill a room. The fragrance is often used in spas and wellness products, so you might find it familiar and calming.
You can grow eucalyptus indoors in a bright, sunny spot. Young plants are compact and manageable, making them suitable for large pots on a patio or in a sunny window.
Just keep in mind that eucalyptus likes well-draining soil and doesn’t want to be overwatered. Give it enough sunlight, and those silvery-green leaves will reward you with a pleasant scent all year round.
16. Mint (Peppermint)
You’ll notice peppermint’s fresh, clean scent as soon as you walk by. This plant’s aroma isn’t overpowering and adds a cool, herbal note to your space. It can make kitchens or windowsills feel bright and refreshed.
Peppermint grows well in small pots or containers. You’ll just want to keep the soil damp and give it a spot with decent sunlight.
The leaves are great for more than just a nice smell. You can add a few to drinks or recipes for a quick boost of flavor. Plus, it’s pretty easy to trim and keep tidy indoors.
17. Plumeria (Frangipani)
Plumeria brings a sweet, floral fragrance that stands out, especially in the evenings. You might recognize the scent from tropical leis or vacations to warmer climates.
The plant doesn’t require much attention indoors – just a sunny window and occasional watering. During its blooming season, you’ll notice clusters of white, yellow, or pink flowers with a pleasant aroma.
Plumeria works well in containers, so you can move it outside when the weather’s nice. Just remember that it likes bright light and well-drained soil.
18. Hyacinth
Hyacinth adds a noticeable fragrance to your space in early spring. These houseplants often feature clusters of small, vibrant blooms ranging from purple and blue to white and pink.
Place your hyacinth near a sunny window and water it moderately – the bulbs don’t like soggy soil. Their pleasant aroma fills a room quickly without being too strong or overwhelming.
You can enjoy their scent for about two weeks while they’re in bloom. After flowering, let the plant rest so you can enjoy it again next season.
19. Viburnum
Viburnum brings a gentle, sweet fragrance that’s hard to miss when it’s in bloom. Its small, white or pink flower clusters can fill a room with a pleasant scent, especially in spring.
This plant does best in bright light and well-drained soil. You’ll notice its blooms last longer indoors if you keep it away from drafts and direct heat.
While Viburnum is often grown outdoors, you can enjoy its fresh smell inside with the right care. Regular watering and trimming help it stay healthy and looking tidy.
20. Mock Orange
Mock Orange is known for its white flowers with a scent that’s often compared to orange blossoms. The plant blooms in late spring or early summer, filling the air with a fresh, citrus-like fragrance.
You’ll probably notice its perfume from several feet away once it’s in full bloom. It likes a sunny spot and doesn’t need much attention once established.
This shrub can get pretty large, but you can trim it to keep it in check. It fits well near walkways or windows where you can enjoy the scent without much fuss.