10 Smelly Houseplants You'll Regret Bringing Indoors

All we talk about are houseplants that we must have indoors, but today, we’re going to discuss the ones you might not want in your home!

Plants bring a fresh, modern vibe, and for many people they’re more than a trend. With the rising cost of living, plants offer a great way to bring life to our spaces without huge expenses. They can even clean the air and reduce stress (talk about free therapy).

However, not all plants are pleasant roommates. Some look great but bring along some pretty “unique” smells. I discovered this when I got a plant that filled my room with an unexpected scent (it took me days to figure out the source).

To help you avoid that, here’s a quick list of beautiful but strong-smelling plants you might want to keep outside:

1. Paperwhite Narcissus Can Smell A Bit Like Tar

Paperwhite narcissus flowers are beautiful – they have delicate white petals that look like small daffodils, which makes them a popular holiday gift. The thing most people don’t know is that narcissus flowers come with a very strong scent.

The fragrance comes from a chemical called indole, which, in high amounts, can smell a bit like tar. So, if you’re sensitive to smells, you might want to skip out on this lovely plant!

But if you still decide to grow it, here’s a useful blooming tip: When To Plant Paperwhites For Christmas Blooming

2. Spider Flower Is Also Called “Skunk Flower”

Cleomes (also known as spider flowers) feature gorgeous bicolored blooms that often come in white with pink or purple. They’re a great addition to any garden from spring to fall.

However, their beauty comes with a price – they have a skunk-like smell!

Some species have a stronger odor, while others might not have much of a scent at all. You can look for the ones that have milder flowers, though I bet most gardeners don’t want “skunk flowers” in their gardens!

3. Marigolds Are Pretty… Smelly

Marigolds are these cheerful plants that are like little rays of sunshine in the garden with their vibrant yellow and red flowers. They are great for keeping pests away and making your garden more lively.

But if you’ve ever grown marigolds, you know that they come with a punch – the oil they release to repel critters has a strong, pungent scent that most people don’t find very pleasant.

So, while marigolds are perfect for outdoor gardens, they’re better off staying there and not making their way into your home as a houseplant.

4. Although Beautiful, Sea Holly Is Best Kept Outdoors

Sea holly is a beautiful plant with blue flowers that thrives on minimal care (what more could we ask for?). But… bringing it indoors isn’t ideal.

It attracts flies for pollination, and the smell can be unpleasant (it kind of smells like animal feces, yuck!). Therefore, it’s a better idea to keep this one outdoors!

5. Shasta Daisies Might Make You Yell At Your Cat For No Reason

Shasta daisies are popular for their beautiful white petals and yellow centers (kind of like regular daisies, but with more pizazz!).

Despite their lovely appearance, they have a heavy odor that is often compared to cat urine. For this reason, it’s best to enjoy these flowers outside rather than bringing them in.

6. Lantana’s Fragrance Is Often Compared To Gasoline

If you’ve ever visited South Carolina in the summer, you’ve likely seen lantanas brightening up gardens with their colorful clusters in shades of yellow, orange, and pink. These flowers thrive in full sunlight and grow abundantly outdoors.

However, while they may be beautiful, lantanas should be kept outside. The plant’s fragrance (often compared to gasoline) is not the most pleasant scent to have indoors.

7. Butterfly Flower Is Best Kept Outdoors

Butterfly flowers are small, royal blue blooms that attract butterflies with their delicate beauty. While they’re gaining popularity in modern medicine and agriculture, these flowers are best kept outdoors.

Despite their charm, they’re not ideal as houseplants due to their strong, often overpowering fragrance that can be rather unpleasant indoors!

8. Datura’s Leaves Have A Sour And Unpleasant Odor

Datura is a gorgeous plant with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from May to November. While it’s beautiful, you should be careful because this plant is highly toxic if consumed!

Although the flowers typically emit a sweet, honeysuckle-like fragrance, crushing the leaves can release a sour, unpleasant odor. So, as tempting as it may be to admire this plant indoors, it should be kept outside (away from curious hands and noses).

9. Crown Imperial Should Be Admired From Afar

We can all agree that the crown imperial is a stunning addition to any garden, with its tall stems and bell-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.

However, while they’re a beautiful outdoor feature, crown imperials should stay in the garden.

Their scent is described as sweaty and sulfurous and can quickly spread in your indoor space, so it’s a good idea to admire them from afar.

10. Flowering Pear’s Flowers Are Both Stunning And Smelly

Flowering pear trees are popular because of their white blossoms in the spring, which make any garden look more classy and elegant.

These ornamental trees are easy to care for and require minimal attention, but their beauty comes with a catch. While they rarely produce fruit, the smell they emit once they bloom can be overwhelming (often compared to the stench of rotting fish).

All these plants are fine outdoors where the fresh air dilutes their scent. But bring them inside, and their strong, unpleasant odor will quickly fill your entire living space.