Some flowers save their most magical moments for after sunset, filling the night air with rich, sweet aromas. These nighttime bloomers turn an ordinary garden into a moonlit retreat, perfect for quiet evenings outdoors.
Their beauty often deepens under soft light, and their scents grow stronger when the sun goes down. Imagine relaxing in your garden as the petals open and a gentle breeze carries their perfume to you.
You can place them near patios, porches, or pathways so their fragrance greets you each time you step outside. Let’s explore the most beautiful flowers that truly come alive at night.
#1 Yellow Evening Primrose
Yellow Evening Primrose bursts open in the evening, releasing a gentle scent that draws moths, hummingbirds, and bees. Its sunny blooms brighten the garden even under moonlight.
Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil for the healthiest growth. Water during dry spells, but avoid letting the soil stay soggy. It thrives in zones 5 to 8 with little fuss.
#2 Gardenias
Gardenias delight with creamy white flowers and glossy green leaves that look fresh all season. Their fragrance is rich and unmistakable, perfect for evening relaxation.
They do well in containers or raised beds where you can easily tend them. Give them bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist. Feed during the growing season for continuous blooms.
#3 Flowering Tobacco
Flowering Tobacco opens its blooms after sunset, releasing a sweet perfume that carries across the yard. Its large leaves and upright stems give it a tropical look.
Plant in a sunny or partly shaded spot with rich, moist soil. Remove faded flowers to keep it looking fresh. Regular watering keeps the scent strong and the plant healthy.
#4 Jasmine
Jasmine vines are loved for their cascading growth and intoxicating fragrance. Their star-shaped flowers appear in clusters, making a striking display.
Plant them in fertile soil with good drainage and give them a trellis or support. Water regularly and prune lightly after flowering to keep them tidy. The scent is especially enchanting on warm nights.
#5 Heliotrope
Heliotrope offers clusters of tiny blooms in shades of violet, blue, or white, each carrying a warm, vanilla-like scent. It performs beautifully in pots or garden beds with well-drained soil.
Place it in full sun for the richest color. Water regularly, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Pinch back tips to encourage more blooms.
#6 Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose opens wide at dusk, drawing night-flying insects with its soft fragrance. The plant blooms heavily from spring to autumn.
It loves full sun and can handle poor or rocky soil. Water during long dry periods to keep it vigorous. Cut back stems after flowering to tidy up the plant.
#7 Mexican Orange
Mexican Orange bears clusters of white flowers that smell like orange blossoms, bringing a fresh, citrusy scent to the garden. The shrub stays attractive year-round with glossy leaves.
Plant in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly until established, then enjoy its drought tolerance. Light pruning after flowering helps keep its shape.
#8 Kahili Ginger
Kahili Ginger blooms with yellow petals and red stamens that release a rich fragrance in late summer evenings. It adds an exotic touch to the landscape.
Give it moist, fertile soil and partial shade for best results. Water often during the growing season. Remove spent flower stalks to encourage new shoots.
#9 Plumeria
Plumeria charms with sweet-scented flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and variegated blends. It grows as a small tree or shrub in warm climates.
Plant in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Prune lightly to shape after flowering.
#10 Angel’s Trumpet
Angel’s Trumpet produces large, trumpet-shaped blooms that release their fragrance after dark. It grows well in sun or light shade and needs regular watering.
Place it where the scent can drift toward seating areas. Use rich soil for strong growth. Remove faded flowers to encourage new buds.
#11 Wax Flower
Wax Flower displays creamy white blooms with pink centers that give off a stronger fragrance at night. Its waxy leaves and trailing habit make it ideal for hanging baskets.
Grow it in bright, indirect light and keep the soil slightly moist. Feed monthly during the flowering season. Prune lightly to encourage fuller growth.
#12 Night-Blooming Jasmine
Night-Blooming Jasmine fills the evening air with a powerful perfume from its clusters of creamy blooms. It prefers full sun for abundant flowers.
Plant in fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly. Trim lightly after flowering to keep its shape. Position it near windows or patios for maximum enjoyment of its scent.
#13 Casa Blanca Lily
Casa Blanca Lily boasts large, pure white blooms with a sweet aroma that intensifies at night. Plant bulbs in groups for the best visual effect.
Choose a sunny to partly shaded spot with well-drained soil. Water regularly while in bloom. Cut stems after flowering to store energy for next year.
#14 Moonflower
Moonflower’s large, heart-shaped leaves and pure white blooms open at dusk, releasing a sweet fragrance. The vine grows quickly and is perfect for arbors, trellises, or fences.
Plant in full sun and give it room to climb. Water regularly in dry weather. Pinch back tips to control size if needed.
#15 Hellebore
Hellebores show bell- or cup-shaped flowers in soft shades that look elegant in shaded areas. Some varieties have a faint scent in the evening.
Plant in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Water during dry periods to keep foliage fresh. Remove old leaves in late winter to reveal new growth.
#16 4 O’Clock
4 O’Clock plants open their vibrant flowers in late afternoon and keep them open through the night. They come in shades of yellow, red, pink, and white.
Plant in sunny spots with average soil and water when the top inch dries. They grow quickly and often self-seed. Deadhead to encourage more blooms.