Night-blooming flowers bring a sense of mystery and wonder to your outdoor space. When the sun goes down, these unique plants open their petals and release sweet fragrances into the evening air. If you want to create a garden that shines after dark, here are 25 beautiful choices that awaken under the stars.
1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Moonflowers are famous for their large white blooms that open at dusk. The flowers glow in the dark and give off a light fragrance. They grow fast and climb trellises or fences with ease. These tropical vines are perfect for warm climates. Watching them unfurl at night is part of their magic. They only bloom for one night, which makes them feel special.
2. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
This plant produces bright yellow flowers that bloom just before sunset. The blossoms have a mild lemon scent and attract night pollinators. Evening primrose is a hardy biennial that grows in poor soils. It can reseed itself and return year after year. Its cheerful blooms light up the garden when other plants are winding down.
3. Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya ovata)
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Night phlox is known for its sweet, candy-like scent that fills the garden at dusk. Its small, star-shaped flowers are typically white with purplish undersides, opening in the evening and closing during the day. This plant grows well in containers or borders. It prefers full sun during the day and rewards you at night. It is often called “midnight candy” for a reason. The scent is strongest after the sun sets.
4. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Tuberose has tall stems topped with clusters of white, waxy flowers. These blooms release a rich, sweet scent in the evening. Because of their strong fragrance, they are a favorite in perfumery. Plant them in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Tuberose flowers best in warm weather. Their strong smell makes them easy to enjoy from afar.
5. Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
This cactus only blooms for a single night, making its flowers feel like an event. The large white blooms appear late at night and wilt by morning. The flowers are very fragrant and stunning in size. It prefers shade and moist soil. Queen of the Night is native to tropical forests. Grow it in a pot and bring it indoors during cold weather.
6. Night Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)
Night gladiolus has pale yellow flowers with a spicy scent that strengthens at night. It is a summer bloomer that prefers full sun. The flowers are smaller than common gladiolus but bloom later in the day. They do well in coastal gardens and mild climates. Their scent and color make them stand out after sunset.
7. Four O'Clock Flower (Mirabilis jalapa)
Named for when they begin to open, four o'clock flowers bloom in late afternoon and stay open into the night. They come in pink, yellow, white, and even striped. They are easy to grow and can tolerate poor soil. These flowers reseed freely and come back each year. Their sweet scent attracts hummingbird moths in the evening.
8. Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
This daisy opens at night and smells like chocolate in the morning. Its yellow petals and dark center resemble a classic daisy. It thrives in dry, sunny gardens. The scent is most potent at dawn, but the flowers open at night. Chocolate daisy is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. It adds both color and fragrance to evening spaces.
9. Casablanca Lily (Lilium 'Casablanca')
These lilies have large white blooms and a strong, sweet scent that fills the air at night. They are not true night bloomers but release most of their fragrance after sunset. Casablanca lilies grow from bulbs and reach tall heights. Their elegant blooms look stunning in moonlight, and they make excellent cut flowers, too.
10. Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii)
Sacred datura has trumpet-shaped white blooms that open in the evening. The large, fragrant flowers attract moths. This plant grows as a shrub in dry climates. It reseeds easily and can spread if not managed. All parts are toxic, so handle with care. Its dramatic blooms are showy and magical at night.
11. Night-Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
This plant is not flashy by day, but its nighttime scent is unforgettable. Tiny purple or white flowers open at dusk. The smell is sweet and strong, making it perfect for evening patios. It grows best in cool seasons and full sun. Plant it in containers near windows or walkways. It pairs well with other night bloomers.
12. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
These tropical plants have huge, drooping trumpet-shaped flowers that open at night. They give off a strong, sweet scent that carries on the wind. Angel’s trumpet grows as a small tree or shrub. It needs warm weather and regular water. The flowers attract moths and nighttime visitors. Like datura, it is toxic if eaten.
13. Evening Rain Lily (Zephyranthes drummondii)
Rain lilies bloom after evening rains, with white flowers that open quickly. They are short plants with grass-like leaves. Evening rain lilies thrive in full sun and bloom several times a season. Their quick blooming habit adds surprise to the garden. They are great for borders or containers.
14. Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
This tall shrub produces tiny white-green flowers that release a strong perfume at night. The scent can fill an entire yard. Night-blooming jasmine grows quickly in warm climates. It prefers sun and well-drained soil. It is not a true jasmine but shares the fragrance. Plant it near windows or patios to enjoy its scent.
15. Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata)
A rare flower found in the Himalayas, it blooms only at night. The large white blooms are considered sacred in India. Brahma Kamal grows in cold, alpine regions. It isn't easy to grow in regular gardens, but it is prized in greenhouses. The flower symbolizes purity and spiritual beauty. Its rare blooming makes it special.
16. Night Blooming Water Lily (Nymphaea tropical varieties)
These lilies open after sunset and float on water surfaces. Depending on the variety, the blooms can be white, pink, or red. They close again after sunrise. Night-blooming water lilies need warm temperatures and still water. They are a must-have for water gardens. Their reflection under moonlight is breathtaking.
17. Devil’s Trumpet (Datura metel)
This plant has ruffled trumpet-shaped flowers that open at night. The blooms are often purple or white and very fragrant. It grows as a bush and likes full sun. Devil’s trumpet attracts moths and pollinators in the evening. It is toxic and should not be ingested. The flowers create a bold nighttime display.
18. Night Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)
This cactus blooms only for one night a year. Its large white flowers are fragrant and very dramatic. It prefers warm climates and partial shade. The plant needs support to climb or hang. Many people wait all year to catch it in bloom. Its rare flowering makes it feel like a celebration.
19. Evening Campion (Silene latifolia)
This plant produces white flowers that open at dusk. Night insects pollinate it and glows in low light. Evening campion is easy to grow and reseeds freely. It does well in meadows or borders. The simple flowers give off a light fragrance. It brings a soft charm to evening gardens.
20. Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum)
Native to coastal areas, this plant blooms in the evening with star-shaped white flowers. It thrives in sandy soil and full sun. Sea daffodils are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Their blooms have a light, sweet scent. They look striking against dark backgrounds after sunset.
21. Night-Scented Orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum)
This rare orchid opens at night and releases a soft floral scent. It grows best in humid, tropical climates. The flowers are small but delicate and white. It is usually grown by orchid collectors or in greenhouses. It blooms more than once a year. Its fragrance is most noticeable after dark.
22. Lady of the Night Orchid (Brassavola nodosa)
This orchid produces white flowers that give off a citrus-like scent at night. It grows well in pots or mounted on bark. Lady of the Night needs filtered light and good airflow. It blooms several times a year. The flowers look like stars in the evening.
23. Notocactus scopa (Silver Ball Cactus)
This cactus has yellow flowers that open in the evening. It is round with soft spines and silver fuzz. It grows well in dry, sunny spots. The flowers are bright and cheerful against the gray background. This cactus is a fun addition to desert gardens, and its nighttime blooms surprise many gardeners.
24. Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata)
This vine is related to morning glories and has large white flowers that open at night. It grows quickly and climbs fences or trellises. The blooms are sweet-smelling and attract moths. It is native to parts of the southern United States. The plant dies back in winter but returns in spring.
25. Beach Moonflower (Ipomoea violacea)
This lesser-known moonflower species offers striking, trumpet-shaped flowers that typically appear in shades of pale lavender to violet. The blooms are nocturnal, opening at dusk and releasing a light, sweet fragrance. It's a fast-growing vine that thrives in warm climates with full sun and well-draining soil. It requires support to climb and can cover trellises or fences quickly. While visually similar to other moonflowers, it’s important to note that this species contains alkaloids and should be handled with care.
Light Up Your Garden at Night
Adding even a few night-blooming flowers can change the way your garden feels after the sun goes down. These plants offer more than beauty. They bring fragrance, movement, and life to the evening hours. Whether you want a peaceful spot to unwind or a magical corner to impress guests, these blooms can help you get there. Start with just one or two and see where the night takes you.
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