Top 5 Smelling Indoor Plants: Your Aromatic Guide

Do you ever walk into a room and wish it smelled naturally amazing, like a fresh garden or a warm bakery? Many indoor spaces feel dull because they lack that lovely, natural scent. Choosing the right fragrant houseplant can transform your home into a little oasis. But let’s be honest, it’s tough to know where to start. Do you pick lavender because it smells calming, or maybe a citrus plant for a bright burst of energy?

The sheer number of scented options can be overwhelming. You worry about picking a plant that needs too much sun or one whose smell might be too strong for your small apartment. You want beautiful greenery that also smells fantastic, but finding that perfect match feels like a guessing game. We get it! That’s why we put together this guide.

Inside, you will learn about the best, easiest-to-care-for fragrant plants perfect for any indoor setting. We will break down which plants smell sweet, which smell clean, and exactly what they need to thrive. Get ready to stop guessing and start enjoying the wonderful, natural aromas your home deserves. Let’s explore the world of smelling plants for indoors!

Top Smelling Plants For Indoors Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1
American Plant Exchange Mini Gardenia Vetchii Tree, Live 6-Inch Indoor Flowering Plant, Fragrant Houseplant for Home or Office, for Mother's Day & Year-Round Décor
  • Fragrant Mini Gardenia Bonsai – Features delicate, highly fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage, bringing elegance and a soothing aroma to any indoor or outdoor space
  • Compact & Decorative – Perfect for bonsai enthusiasts, this small tree adds charm to patios, desks, entryways, and home or office décor with its refined, sculptural form
  • Easy-Care & Evergreen – Thrives in bright indirect light indoors or partial sun outdoors, requiring well-draining, acidic soil and consistent moisture for healthy growth
  • Repeat-Blooming Beauty – Produces multiple fragrant blooms throughout the year, offering long-lasting floral displays and a captivating natural fragrance
  • Thoughtful Gift for Plant Lovers – A unique and stylish gift for bonsai collectors, garden enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates miniature trees with timeless beauty
SaleBestseller No. 2
Costa Farms Peace Lily Live Plant in Decorative Pot, Air Purifying Flowering Indoor Houseplant, Perfect for Home, Room, or Office Decor, Great House Warming or Birthday Gift, 14-24 Inches Tall
  • PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT & CHRISTMAS DECOR: The pure white blooms of the Peace Lily bring timeless sophistication to any space. Ideal as a tabletop centerpiece, living room accent, or serene office décor, this plant makes a thoughtful Christmas or holiday gift for plant lovers and home décor enthusiasts
  • BREATHE EASIER WITH A NATURAL AIR PURIFIER: Beautiful Peace Lily Plant helps to filter the air, removing toxins for a healthier indoor environment. Elevate your indoor garden with this air-cleaning houseplant for a fresh home
  • CREATE A CALMING SANCTUARY: The Peace Lily's elegant white blooms and deep green leaves are perfect for setting a tranquil mood and enhancing your space's sense of wellbeing
  • PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY OCCASION: Features beautiful, colorful flowers, making it a unique and thoughtful gift for any occasion. A memorable present for friends and family
  • FRESH PLANT, READY FOR YOUR HOME: Your beautiful, healthy live indoor plant, fresh from our farm, arrives secured in specialized packaging right to your home
Bestseller No. 3
Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum Sambac) - Live, Fragrant, Blooming, Indoor/Outdoor Decorative Plant (2 Arab jas sacs)
  • SMELLS HEAVENLY: Our Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum Sambac) plants are shipped live and healthy, ready to be planted in your garden or pot. Each plant is carefully nurtured to ensure the high quality and longevity of its beautiful, fragrant white flowers.
  • PACKAGING OPTIONS: Regardless of your preference, we offer two options for shipping - a sturdy cup or a permeable sac. Both options are designed to protect the plant during transit and ensure it arrives in top condition.
  • LONG BLOOMING SEASON: Arabian Jasmine plants bloom a long time from about May to September. They are easy to care for, making them perfect for both experienced gardeners and beginners. They thrive in warm climates, require moderate watering, and can be kept both indoors and outdoors.
  • INSTRUCTIONS: We provide a detailed care instructions. We provide support and advise on best growth practices. Bio-degradable container: Lets Roots Grow Out, Water and Air pass in. Plants need sun. Minimize the risk of injuring the plant by opening the package as soon as its delivered.
  • HELP: Plants use sunlight to fight disease. Reduce stress to your plant in your mailbox by opening the package and feeding it light with water as soon as it is delivered.
Bestseller No. 4
American Plant Exchange Gardenia Bush ‘Mini Veitchii’ – Live 6-Inch Indoor Flowering Plant, Fragrant Houseplant for Home or Office, for Mother's Day & Year-Round Décor
  • Fragrant Mini Gardenia Shrub – Features highly fragrant, pure white blooms with glossy green foliage, perfect for adding elegance and scent to any indoor or outdoor space
  • Compact & Versatile – Ideal for small gardens, patios, tabletops, and windowsills; grows beautifully in containers or as a decorative accent in home and office décor
  • Easy-Care Evergreen – Thrives in bright indirect light indoors or partial to full sun outdoors; prefers well-draining, acidic soil and consistent moisture for healthy growth
  • Repeat-Blooming Beauty – Produces multiple blooms throughout the year, providing long-lasting floral displays and a delightful aroma in any environment
  • Perfect Gift Plant – A thoughtful gift for plant lovers, housewarmings, or special occasions while enhancing home and garden décor
Bestseller No. 5
Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum Sambac) - Live, Fragrant, Blooming, Indoor/Outdoor Decorative Plant (4 Arab jas Cups)
  • SMELLS HEAVENLY: Our Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum Sambac) plants are shipped live and healthy, ready to be planted in your garden or pot. Each plant is carefully nurtured to ensure the high quality and longevity of its beautiful, fragrant white flowers.
  • PACKAGING OPTIONS: Regardless of your preference, we offer two options for shipping - a sturdy cup or a permeable sac. Both options are designed to protect the plant during transit and ensure it arrives in top condition.
  • LONG BLOOMING SEASON: Arabian Jasmine plants bloom a long time from about May to September. They are easy to care for, making them perfect for both experienced gardeners and beginners. They thrive in warm climates, require moderate watering, and can be kept both indoors and outdoors.
  • INSTRUCTIONS: We provide a detailed care instructions. We provide support and advise on best growth practices. Bio-degradable container: Lets Roots Grow Out, Water and Air pass in. Plants need sun. Minimize the risk of injuring the plant by opening the package as soon as its delivered.
  • HELP: Plants use sunlight to fight disease. Reduce stress to your plant in your mailbox by opening the package and feeding it light with water as soon as it is delivered.
Bestseller No. 6
Essential Houseplant Collection (4PK) Live Plants Indoor Plants Live Houseplants in Plant Pots, Easy House Plants Indoors Live, Snake Plant, Pothos in Potting Soil, Clean Air Plants by Plants for Pets
  • HOUSE PLANT BOX: Includes a rotating assortment of 4 greenhouse-grown, low-maintenance plants in 4.25" nursery pots
  • POPULAR VARIETIES IN EVERY PACK: Features popular plants like Philodendron, Pothos, Syngonium, Aralia, Ficus, and pet-safe plants like Peperomia, Calathea, and Ferns
  • PLANT LOVER GIFTS: Gift with cute plant pots or ceramic planters for indoor plants to make these the perfect gifts for plant lovers
  • FRESH FROM THE FARM: Grown with love and shipped with care directly from our team of passionate horticulturists
  • ABOUT US: We love animals as much as we love plants. That's why a portion of every purchase is directed to our mission to help place shelter animals in happy homes.
SaleBestseller No. 7
American Plant Exchange English Lavender – 6-Inch with Pot – Live Fragrant Flowering Herb Plant, Edible Aromatic Greenery for Home, Garden, Patio, or Balcony Decor
  • English Lavender Plant Pot: English Lavender is a gorgeous shrubby plant featuring delicate gray-green leaves. Known for their edible as well as ornamental qualities, these plants will attract eyes in any setting due to the unique color of their foliage.
  • Indoor Plants: English Lavender plants produce beautiful, fragrant, purple-colored flowers in bloom, usually around late spring or mid-summer. This plant is also an ideal pick for a personal herb garden or a border plant. The USDA hardiness zone for outdoor planting is 5–10.
  • Easy Maintenance: Easy to care for, English Lavender plants need full sunlight and grow best in warm climates. However, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -20° F. A heat pack is included with each plant if your region experiences cold weather.
  • Home and Garden Decor: Our English Lavender plant pot is perfect for windowsills, countertops, desks, and tables in your home or garden. The plant, which can grow up to 2-3' tall, is also a great gift option for friends and family.
  • Health Benefits: Live plants purify the air in their surroundings and thus enable you to inhale clean, fresh air while also helping to boost mood levels. The plant is safe but can cause stomach irritation in pets if ingested in large quantities.
Bestseller No. 8
Flojery Mini Potted Plants Artificial Eucalyptus Boxwood Rosemary Faux Herbs Small House Plants 8.3"-9" Tall for Indoor Greenery Tabletop Décor Centerpiece (Sprayed Eucalyptus)
  • Small Potted Artificial Plants-Natural Look - Featuring dense clusters of plastic eucalyptus leaves and rosemary foliage, instilling color where it is missing, our Artificial Greenery Plant Set offers a great naturalistic look to your home. The package includes 2 potts, you can place them anywhere as you like.
  • Real Touch Leaves - Our Artificial Greenery Plant Set are placed in sturdy paper pulp pots with simulated soil which is made of foam. It combines classic and elegant look with good quality. Artificial House Plants,With integrated design, it is not easy to drop leaves than similar products.
  • Simple Relaxation - Artificial Plants, For those who want to enjoy the overflowing of greenery in their daily life but have a busy schedule, our Artificial Greenery Plant Set is a good choice since it needs no trimming or watering. The 2 plants come already set in their own paper pulp pot for easy displaying.
  • Long-time Use - Mini Potted Plants Artificial, Carnation Caronation mainly grows in the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe. Uses: spices, cut flowers, potted plants, flower sandals and open-air cultivation in the garden. Meaning: enthusiastic, sad, mother, I love you deeply, women's love, motherhood.Home decoration that will never wither.
  • Multiple Decor Uses - Miniature Artificial Plants,Artificial Eucalyptus and Rosemary Carnation Caronation can be placed on tabletop, window, office desk, shelf and dining table. They easily match everywhere of your home.We have perfect after-sales service. If you have any questions about the items you received, please contact us for return or refund. Thank you.

Your Guide to Choosing Amazing Smelling Plants for Indoors

Bringing fragrant plants inside brightens your home and boosts your mood. But how do you pick the best ones? This guide helps you choose the perfect scented indoor plant.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for smelling plants, check these important features first.

1. Scent Strength and Type
  • Intensity: How strong do you want the smell? Some plants offer a subtle hint, while others fill a whole room.
  • Scent Profile: Decide if you like floral (like jasmine), citrusy (like lemon), spicy (like cinnamon), or minty smells.
2. Light and Care Needs
  • Sunlight Requirements: Does the plant need bright, direct sun, or does it prefer lower, indirect light? Match this to where you plan to put it.
  • Watering Frequency: Some plants need constant moisture, others prefer drying out between drinks.
3. Size and Growth Habit
  • Check how big the plant will get. A tiny desk plant will not work if you need a large floor statement piece.
  • Consider if it grows upright or trails over the edge of a pot.

Important Materials and Plant Health

The “material” here relates mostly to the plant itself and its growing environment.

Healthy Soil and Roots

Always check the soil. It should look dark and crumbly, not overly wet or moldy. Healthy roots are a sign of a well-cared-for plant. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or visible pests.

Pot Quality

Good pots have drainage holes. Water must be able to escape easily. If water sits at the bottom, the roots rot, and the plant dies.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

What makes a scented plant great, and what ruins the experience?

Factors That Improve Quality
  • Blooming Time: Plants that bloom often or for long periods give you the best fragrance payoff.
  • Pest Resistance: Plants that naturally fight off common houseplant bugs stay healthier longer.
  • Air Purifying Qualities: Some fragrant plants also clean the air, offering double benefits.
Factors That Reduce Quality
  • Dormancy: Some heavily scented plants stop smelling completely during certain seasons or when they are not actively growing.
  • Toxicity: If you have pets or small children, check if the plant is poisonous if chewed. Safety reduces the overall user experience.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about where you will use your fragrant friend.

For Relaxation and Sleep

Lavender or Gardenia are great choices for bedrooms because their scents promote calm. Place them near a window where they get morning light.

For the Kitchen or Entryway

Herbs like Rosemary or scented Geraniums work well in kitchens. If you want to greet guests with a lovely smell, put a fragrant plant near your front door.

Ease of Care for Beginners

If you are new to plants, choose hardy options like scented Begonias or certain types of scented Geraniums. They forgive occasional neglect better than delicate Jasmine.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Smelling Plants for Indoors

Q: Which indoor plant smells the strongest?

A: Highly fragrant plants like Jasmine, Citrus Trees (like Meyer Lemon), and Gardenias usually have the strongest scents indoors.

Q: Do scented plants need direct sunlight?

A: Many of the best-smelling plants, like blooming Jasmine, need several hours of direct, bright sunlight to produce strong flowers and scent.

Q: Can I make my non-smelling plant smell better?

A: No, you cannot make a plant that naturally lacks scent produce a smell. You must choose a variety that is already known for fragrance.

Q: How often should I water a scented orchid?

A: This depends on the orchid type, but most scented orchids prefer their potting mix to dry out slightly between thorough waterings. Check the specific care tag.

Q: Are scented plants harder to keep alive than regular houseplants?

A: Sometimes. Plants grown specifically for their blooms often need more specific light and humidity, making them slightly trickier than basic foliage plants.

Q: What is the best time of day for a plant’s scent to be noticeable?

A: Many fragrant flowers release their strongest perfume in the afternoon or evening to attract night pollinators.

Q: Can I use fertilizer to make my plant smell better?

A: Fertilizer helps the plant grow strong enough to bloom, but using too much nitrogen can actually reduce flower production, which reduces the smell.

Q: Are there any great smelling plants that don’t need much light?

A: Yes. Scented Geraniums often produce a nice scent even in lower light, though the smell will be weaker than if they received bright light.

Q: What should I do if my scented plant stops smelling?

A: First, check for blooms—no flowers means no scent. If it has flowers but no smell, it might need more light or better temperature conditions.

Q: Are scented herbs safe to keep in the kitchen?

A: Yes. Herbs like Basil, Mint, and Rosemary are wonderful because they smell great and you can use them for cooking.