Flowers that bloom at night possess an ethereal beauty that captivates garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. These nocturnal blooms often emit enchanting fragrances and attract nighttime pollinators such as moths and bats. Their ability to thrive in the darkness adds a mysterious charm to any garden, making them a favorite among those who appreciate the serenity of the night.
Many flowers that bloom at night have evolved to rely on the cool evening air to release their signature scents, creating a soothing and magical ambiance. From the elegant Night-Blooming Jasmine to the striking Moonflower, these blossoms unfurl their delicate petals under the moonlight, transforming gardens into enchanting landscapes.
Below, we explore 30 stunning flowers that bloom at night, each with its own unique allure and fascinating adaptations.
Different Types of Flowers That Bloom at Night
Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans)
Nottingham Catchfly is a delicate, night-blooming wildflower with drooping, white or pale pink petals that unfurl at dusk. Native to Europe, it releases a subtle fragrance that attracts nocturnal pollinators, particularly moths. This charming plant thrives in woodland gardens, rock gardens, or alongside ornamental grasses, adding a touch of elegance to moonlit landscapes. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10, it prefers well-drained soils and moderate sunlight, making it an excellent low-maintenance addition to naturalized settings.
Night-Blooming Water Lily (Nymphaea)
Night-Blooming Water Lily is a stunning aquatic plant that comes to life after sunset, revealing large, cup-like flowers in shades of pink, red, or white. These exotic blooms remain open throughout the night, closing as morning light appears. Ideal for water gardens in warm climates (USDA zones 9-10), they provide a cooling effect to ponds and attract pollinators like beetles. With their floating leaves and serene beauty, these lilies create a magical nighttime display on still waters.
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenia is a classic night-fragrant shrub cherished for its creamy white, waxy flowers and deep green, glossy foliage. Its intoxicating scent becomes even stronger at night, making it a favorite for moon gardens and outdoor seating areas. Flourishing in USDA zones 8-11, gardenias prefer warm, humid conditions with well-drained, acidic soil. Whether planted in the ground or grown in containers, these elegant shrubs add timeless beauty and a romantic atmosphere to any garden.
Casa Blanca Lily (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’)
Casa Blanca Lily is a breathtaking variety known for its large, pristine white blooms and intoxicating fragrance, which becomes more pronounced at night. Blooming in mid to late summer, this lily is a favorite among gardeners and florists alike for its elegant, star-shaped flowers and graceful, arching stems. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Whether planted in garden beds or used as a striking addition to bouquets, Casa Blanca Lily adds a touch of sophistication to any setting.
Night Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)
Night Gladiolus is a fragrant, night-blooming perennial that produces creamy white or pale yellow flowers with a delicate, honey-like scent. Native to South Africa, this species flourishes in USDA zones 7-10, bringing both beauty and aroma to evening gardens. Its slender, sword-like leaves complement the tall flower spikes, which open at dusk and remain fragrant throughout the night. Ideal for borders or container planting, this gladiolus variety is a unique addition to any nighttime floral display.
Evening Rain Lily (Zephyranthes drummondii)
Evening Rain Lily is a charming perennial that blooms in response to rainfall, often revealing its delicate white or pale pink flowers after evening showers. Native to the southern United States and Mexico, this small but resilient plant naturalizes easily in garden beds, lawns, and rock gardens. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, it thrives in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Its surprise blooms and graceful, star-like petals make it a delightful addition to any garden.
Night-Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
Night-Scented Stock is a delightful annual known for its intensely sweet fragrance, which becomes most pronounced after sunset. Its small, delicate flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white, blooming in loose clusters that sway gently in the evening breeze. Easy to grow in USDA zones 2-10, this plant thrives in well-drained soil and cool temperatures. It’s perfect for borders, cottage gardens, or pots near patios, where its perfume can be fully appreciated on warm summer nights.
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Moth Orchid, a popular houseplant, is known for its long-lasting, elegant blooms that can persist for months. While not typically a garden plant, some varieties of Phalaenopsis emit a subtle fragrance at night to attract moth pollinators. Available in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, yellow, and purple, these orchids thrive indoors with indirect light and high humidity. Their graceful, arching stems and exotic beauty make them a perfect addition to any home, bringing a touch of nighttime allure to interior spaces.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a charming, low-growing annual that produces clusters of tiny, white flowers, releasing a delicate, honey-like fragrance, especially in the evening and during cooler weather. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it’s an excellent choice for edging garden paths, filling in gaps between stepping stones, or spilling over container edges. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this easy-care plant self-seeds readily, ensuring a continuous display of fragrant blooms throughout the growing season.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
Nicotiana, or Flowering Tobacco, is a beautifully scented night-blooming plant that produces star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. Popular varieties like ‘Sensation’ release a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance after dusk, attracting moths and other night pollinators. While it thrives as a perennial in warm USDA zones 10-11, it is commonly grown as an annual in cooler regions. This plant prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun, making it a great addition to evening gardens, borders, or containers.
Night-Flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)
Night-Flowering Catchfly is a delicate, self-seeding annual that opens its small, white flowers at night, emitting a gentle fragrance to lure nocturnal pollinators. Native to Europe but naturalized in many regions, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and is well-suited for wildflower meadows or naturalized garden spaces. Its ability to reseed makes it a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to create an effortless, moonlit floral display.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Mock Orange is a deciduous shrub cherished for its clusters of creamy white flowers that emit a citrusy, orange-blossom-like fragrance, especially in cooler evening air. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this hardy shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is often used as a fragrant hedge or border plant. Its arching branches and lush green foliage make it an elegant addition to both formal and informal gardens, providing beauty and scent long after sunset.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Honeysuckle is a versatile, fragrant climber known for its sweetly scented flowers, some of which bloom more intensely at night. Varieties like Lonicera japonica produce delicate white and yellow tubular flowers that attract moths and other nocturnal pollinators. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, honeysuckle thrives on trellises, fences, or arbors, adding vertical beauty to gardens. Its nectar-rich blooms also support hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a favorite for wildlife-friendly landscapes.
White Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
White Impatiens are shade-loving annuals that bloom continuously throughout the day but emit a more noticeable fragrance at night. Their bright white flowers glow under moonlight, creating a soft, luminous effect in dimly lit gardens. Thriving in warm climates (zones 10-11) but commonly grown as annuals in cooler areas, they are perfect for borders, containers, or under trees where other flowers struggle to bloom. With their ability to flourish in low light, they bring vibrancy to shaded garden spaces.
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Moonflower is a mesmerizing nocturnal bloomer with large, trumpet-shaped white flowers that unfurl at dusk and close by morning. Its heart-shaped leaves and luminous petals create a dreamy, ethereal look, while its citrusy fragrance attracts night-flying pollinators like moths. This fast-growing vine flourishes in warm, tropical climates and requires a trellis or fence for support. Although it thrives as a perennial in frost-free regions, it can also be cultivated as an annual in cooler areas, bringing its enchanting beauty to moonlit gardens.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening primrose is a resilient biennial known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom at dusk and remain open until midday. Native to North America, this plant emits a light, lemony fragrance that draws bees, butterflies, and moths. Well-adapted to USDA zones 4-9, it thrives in sandy, well-draining soils, making it ideal for wildflower meadows or cottage gardens. Blooming from late spring through summer, evening primrose is also valued for its medicinal properties and edible seeds, which are rich in beneficial oils.
Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Night-blooming jasmine is a highly fragrant flowering shrub, despite not being a true jasmine. Its small, tubular white flowers release an intoxicating scent after sunset, perfuming the night air. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, it can be grown as a shrub or trained to climb as a vine. This fast-growing plant flourishes in warm climates and is best placed near patios or windows where its rich fragrance can be fully appreciated. Its sweet-scented blossoms attract moths and other night pollinators, making it a captivating addition to evening gardens.
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Tuberose is a highly fragrant night-blooming plant known for its clusters of waxy, white flowers that emerge on tall, slender stems. Blooming in late summer, it fills the evening air with a rich, sweet scent, making it a prized choice for perfumes and floral arrangements. This perennial thrives in warm climates, particularly in USDA zones 7-10, and prefers well-drained soil and full sun. With its striking height of up to 3 feet, tuberose adds an elegant, luminous touch to moonlit gardens and makes an excellent cut flower.
Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia)
Angel’s Trumpet is a stunning shrub or small tree that produces large, pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, yellow, and even orange. Blooming from spring through fall, its fragrant flowers release a strong, sweet scent in the evening. Native to South America, this plant flourishes in warm climates, thriving in USDA zones 8-10. However, all parts of Angel’s Trumpet are highly toxic, so it should be handled with care and kept away from pets and children.
Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis)
Often called Midnight Candy, Night Phlox is a compact, low-growing plant with star-shaped flowers that open at dusk, releasing a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance. The delicate blooms appear white during the day but reveal a soft pink hue on the reverse side when they unfurl at night. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens, borders, or containers and thrives in USDA zones 9-11. Its delightful scent and charming blossoms make it a perfect addition to any evening garden.
Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
True to their name, Four O’Clocks bloom in the late afternoon and remain open until dawn, filling evening gardens with their vibrant colors. These trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades of pink, yellow, red, white, and even multicolored varieties, sometimes appearing in different hues on the same plant. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, they are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and self-seeding, making them easy to grow. Their sweet fragrance attracts nocturnal pollinators like moths and hummingbirds, making them a delightful addition to any garden.
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
A legendary cactus, Queen of the Night is renowned for its massive, star-like white flowers that bloom only for a single night each year. These rare blossoms, which emit an intoxicating fragrance, typically appear in summer and wilt by dawn. As an epiphytic cactus, it thrives in humid environments and is often grown in hanging baskets or as a potted houseplant. With its exotic appeal and fleeting beauty, this plant is treasured by collectors and garden enthusiasts alike.
Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
Chocolate Daisy is a unique night-blooming perennial that fills the air with a rich, cocoa-like scent after sunset. Its small, bright yellow daisy-like flowers open at night and persist into the morning, creating a cheerful contrast against its silvery-green foliage. Native to the Southwestern United States, this drought-resistant plant thrives in USDA zones 4-10, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and wildflower gardens. Its unusual fragrance and resilience make it a standout addition to any nighttime garden.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
Foamflower is a charming woodland perennial with frothy spikes of tiny, star-shaped white flowers that seem to shimmer in the moonlight. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, it thrives in shaded or partially shaded gardens, making it an excellent ground cover for woodland settings. Its delicate blooms appear in spring and early summer, complemented by attractive, deeply lobed green leaves. Beyond its beauty, foamflower is also deer-resistant and low-maintenance, making it a reliable choice for naturalized or shaded landscapes.
Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)
Night-Blooming Cereus is a captivating cactus known for its massive, white, star-like flowers that bloom for just one night before wilting by morning. These fragrant blossoms release an intoxicating scent, making them a prized treasure for those lucky enough to witness their brief but spectacular display. Native to tropical regions, this epiphytic cactus thrives in USDA zones 10-11 but can be grown as a houseplant in cooler climates. With proper care, including bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, it becomes a stunning conversation piece in any home or garden.
Dahlia ‘Moonfire’
Dahlia ‘Moonfire’ is an eye-catching tuberous perennial that stands out with its deep red-orange petals surrounding a golden-yellow center. While most dahlias bloom during the day, ‘Moonfire’ continues to showcase its fiery hues into the evening, making it a striking addition to night gardens. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, this dahlia thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Its dark foliage provides a beautiful contrast, enhancing its warm-toned blooms. Whether planted in garden beds or containers, ‘Moonfire’ brings vibrant energy to any outdoor space.
Conclusion
Flowers That Bloom at Night add mystery, beauty, and fragrance to gardens, making them perfect for moonlit landscapes. Whether you seek a romantic ambiance or want to attract nocturnal pollinators, these stunning blooms will elevate your outdoor space after dusk.
