Imagine stepping into a garden that comes alive under the moon’s soft glow, filled with flowers that bloom at night. It’s like magic, right?
Well, I’ve got 30 night-blooming flowers to turn your garden into a dreamy, moonlit paradise. These beauties not only look stunning but often have heavenly fragrances that will fill the air as the sun sets.
Let’s get ready to create your own nighttime oasis with these enchanting blooms!
1. Evening Primrose
If you want to add a soft, romantic glow to your garden under the stars, the evening primrose is a must. This plant opens its yellow petals in the cool of the evening, adding a touch of magic to your garden.
Evening primrose thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect fit for many garden types. Just make sure to water regularly but not excessively, as it doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil.
2. Moonflower
Imagine the moonlight filtering through large, white, fragrant blooms—this is what moonflowers do best. They unfurl their giant, trumpet-shaped flowers as dusk falls, creating a dazzling show.
Moonflowers grow best in warm, sunny spots, so make sure to plant them in areas with plenty of exposure. Provide them with a trellis or support to climb, as they are vine-like and love to reach for the sky.
3. Night-Blooming Jasmine
The sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine will fill your garden with an intoxicating fragrance when the sun sets. Its small, white flowers bloom only at night, releasing an aroma that’s simply unforgettable.
Night-blooming jasmine thrives in well-drained, slightly sandy soil and enjoys a warm climate. Ensure you plant it in full to partial sun to give it the best chance to thrive.
4. Four O’Clocks
These charming flowers open at dusk, offering a range of beautiful colors from yellow to pink to purple. Known for their unique fragrance, they add color and scent to your evening garden.
Four o’clocks prefer well-drained soil and can be grown in full sun to partial shade. They’re quite low-maintenance, so just deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
5. Night-Scented Stock
As the sun dips, night-scented stock releases an incredibly sweet, clove-like fragrance that floats through the air. Its clusters of white and pink flowers bloom only in the cooler evenings.
This plant loves full sun and well-draining, sandy soil, so make sure you provide the right growing conditions. Water it regularly, but be mindful not to overdo it, as night-scented stock doesn’t like wet feet.
6. Tuberose
With its rich, sweet fragrance and stunning white flowers, tuberose is one of the most famous night-blooming plants. It’s known for creating an enchanting atmosphere when the moon is full.
Tuberose does best in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil—so keep that in mind when picking a location. Give it plenty of space to grow, as it produces tall stems that will need room to stretch.
7. Angel’s Trumpet
The large, trumpet-shaped flowers of angel’s trumpet are so mesmerizing at night, especially with their intoxicating fragrance. These plants can transform your garden into a fragrant, dream-like space.
Angel’s trumpet thrives in warm climates and loves full sun and well-drained soil. It can be quite large, so be sure to prune regularly to keep it in shape and promote new growth.
8. Datura
Known for its large, white or purple, funnel-shaped flowers, datura opens its blooms as the evening sets in. Its striking beauty and eerie, sweet fragrance create a mystical atmosphere.
Datura loves hot, dry conditions and does best in full sun with well-drained soil. Be careful with watering, as this plant doesn’t like overly moist conditions, which could lead to root rot.
9. Jasmine
If you want a dreamy, fragrant garden, jasmine is a perfect addition. Its small, white flowers exude a sweet scent that fills the air once the sun goes down.
Jasmine thrives in warm climates and does best when grown in well-drained, loamy soil. Prune it after flowering to help keep its growth in check and encourage more blooms.
10. Hesperis
Hesperis, or “night-scented phlox,” is a simple yet enchanting flower that blooms in the cool evening air. It is not just a pretty face; its fragrance is sweet and intoxicating.
Plant hesperis in well-drained soil in a spot that gets partial sun, especially if you’re in a warmer region. Give it a light prune after flowering to keep it tidy and encourage healthy growth.
11. Cestrum
Known for its night-blooming jasmine-like scent, cestrum flowers are small, tubular, and bloom with a beautiful fragrance. This plant offers an unforgettable scent that lingers in the air at night.
Cestrum thrives in warm, tropical climates and prefers full sun or partial shade. Make sure to water it regularly, but ensure the soil is well-drained to avoid root rot.
12. Evening Stock
Evening stock is a perfect choice for those seeking fragrance in the nighttime garden. Its clusters of fragrant flowers open at dusk, releasing a sweet, clove-like scent.
Plant evening stock in full sun with well-draining soil for the best results. Regularly remove dead flowers to encourage continued blooms throughout the season.
13. Night-Blooming Cereus
Night-blooming cereus is a mysterious plant that flowers only once in a while, but when it does, it’s a magical event. The white, waxy blooms release a delicate fragrance under the moonlight.
Cereus thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate a bit of neglect, so it’s great for beginners. Plant it in a spot with full sun to keep it healthy and help it bloom.
14. Epiphyllum
Known as the orchid cactus, epiphyllum blooms at night, showcasing large, stunning flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. It’s a plant that loves attention and rewards you with a breathtaking display of color when the moon is high.
Epiphyllum prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and does best in bright, indirect light. Keep it moist but not soggy, and it will repay you with beautiful blooms.
15. Nicotiana
Nicotiana, or tobacco plant, is an easy-to-grow flower that opens its trumpet-shaped blooms in the cool of the evening. Its scent, reminiscent of jasmine, will spread through your garden as dusk falls.
Plant nicotiana in full sun to partial shade in soil that’s rich and well-draining. Water regularly, but be careful not to let the plant get too soggy.
16. Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine’s bright orange flowers are a stunning sight, but when they bloom at night, they take on a magical quality. Their striking color and fragrance make it a perfect choice for a moonlit garden.
Trumpet vine loves full sun and will do best in well-drained soil that allows its roots to grow deep. Prune it in early spring to keep it from becoming too wild and encourage healthy growth.
17. Clara’s Pink
Clara’s Pink offers delightful pink blooms with a soft fragrance that you’ll love as the evening sets in. This plant brings a touch of romance and elegance to any garden.
Plant Clara’s Pink in well-drained soil and give it full sun to partial shade. Keep it moist but not soaking wet, as it prefers dry feet to thrive.
18. White Night-Scented Geranium
If you’re after a simple but stunning plant that fills the evening air with fragrance, the night-scented geranium is perfect. The small white flowers emit a lovely fragrance that’s sweet and slightly spicy.
Plant it in full sun with rich, well-drained soil for the best blooms. Water sparingly to avoid root rot and let the plant breathe.
19. Chocolate Flower
This flower isn’t just named after chocolate; it actually smells like cocoa when it blooms! The rich fragrance pairs beautifully with the deep yellow, star-shaped blooms that open at night.
Chocolate flowers thrive in well-drained, sandy soil and need plenty of sunshine. Water it regularly but let the soil dry out between waterings for the best results.
20. Yellow Evening Primrose
Like its cousin, the evening primrose, yellow evening primrose opens its flowers in the cool hours of the evening, adding beauty and fragrance to your garden. The bright yellow flowers are a striking contrast against the night sky.
This plant prefers full sun and does best in moderately dry, well-drained soil. Ensure it’s not sitting in moist soil for too long to avoid any issues.
21. Moonlit Jasmine
Another jasmine variety, moonlit jasmine adds a romantic, dreamy vibe to any evening garden. As night falls, it releases a subtle fragrance that lingers in the air for hours.
Moonlit jasmine grows well in full sun and prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Keep the plant moist, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings for optimal health.
22. Night-Blooming Water Lily
If you have a pond, a night-blooming water lily is the perfect addition to create a magical atmosphere. Its large, fragrant blooms open only at night, floating peacefully on the surface.
Water lilies thrive in full sun and need well-established water with a depth of at least 12 inches. Keep the water clean to ensure the plant remains healthy and continues to bloom.
23. Moonlight Gardenia
A gardenia at night? Absolutely! Moonlight gardenia opens its creamy white blooms at dusk, releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that’s impossible to ignore.
Gardenias love well-drained, acidic soil and thrive in partially shaded spots. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage healthy, lush growth and blooms.
24. Night Queen
Night queen is a fragrant, white flowering plant that creates an otherworldly, romantic atmosphere when it blooms under the moonlight.
The large, waxy flowers open slowly at night, filling the air with a powerful, sweet scent. Plant it in full sun and give it rich, well-drained soil for optimal growth. Be mindful not to overwater, as it prefers drier conditions.
25. Sweet Night Scented Lily
This lily will make you fall in love with nighttime flowers. As dusk falls, it opens its large, fragrant blooms that fill the air with a sweet, citrus-like scent.
Sweet night scented lilies love well-draining soil and do best when they’re planted in full sun. Water them consistently, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings for the best results.
26. White Nightshade
White nightshade blooms at night, with delicate, white flowers that look almost ethereal in the moonlight. The sweet, soft scent fills the garden air, making it perfect for moonlit strolls.
Plant it in full sun and make sure to keep the soil well-drained for best results. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the roots to rot and damage the plant.
27. Evening Bellflower
Evening bellflower adds beauty and charm to your garden with its bell-shaped blooms that open in the evening. Their delicate fragrance drifts through the air as the sun goes down.
These plants thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and should be grown in partial sun. Trim spent flowers to encourage new growth and continuous blooming.
28. Night-Blooming Sand Verbena
This ground-covering plant opens its beautiful, small flowers at night, creating a vibrant splash of color in your garden. Their rich purple blooms attract nighttime pollinators, adding a magical touch to your garden.
Sand verbena loves sandy, well-drained soil and prefers full sun. Keep the soil moist but well-drained to keep the plant happy.
29. Moonbeam Coreopsis
With its bright yellow flowers, moonbeam coreopsis adds a lovely pop of color to your nighttime garden. The flowers open just as the sun sets, offering a beautiful contrast to the dark night sky.
Plant moonbeam coreopsis in well-drained soil and full sun for the best blooms. Prune it regularly to keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowering.
30. Night Blooming Lilies
Night blooming lilies are a classic addition to any garden that loves the nighttime. Their fragrant blooms open in the cool evening air, releasing a pleasant, sweet fragrance.
Plant them in well-drained, moist soil and ensure they get full sun during the day. Be sure to deadhead them regularly to keep the flowers coming back year after year.