Expert's Choice: The 7 Best Fragrant and Scented Houseplants

Expert's Choice: The 7 Best Fragrant and Scented Houseplants

Bird of Paradise houseplant

Bird of Paradise — Strelitzia reginae

String of Hearts houseplant

String of Hearts — Ceropegia woodii

Lemon Tree houseplant

Lemon Tree — Citrus limon

Wax Flower houseplant

Wax Flower — Hoya carnosa

Sweetheart Hoya houseplant

Sweetheart Hoya — Hoya kerrii

Wax Plant houseplant

Wax Plant — Hoya linearis

Wax Plant houseplant

Wax Plant — Hoya obovata

Expert listicle

Expert's Choice: The 7 Best Fragrant and Scented Houseplants

May 3, 20268 min read

Filling Your Home with Nature's Fragrances

Are you tired of the same old air fresheners and scented candles? Do you want to bring a touch of nature into your home? Look no further than fragrant houseplants. Not only do they purify the air and improve the aesthetic of your space, but they also fill your home with beautiful, natural scents. In this article, we'll explore the 7 best fragrant and scented houseplants that are sure to delight your senses.

The Benefits of Fragrant Houseplants

Fragrant houseplants have been shown to have a number of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving sleep quality. They can also help to purify the air, removing toxins and pollutants that can exacerbate respiratory issues. And, of course, they add a touch of natural beauty to your home, making them a great alternative to artificial air fresheners and scented candles.

Choosing the Right Fragrant Houseplant

With so many fragrant houseplants to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. That's why we've put together this list of the 7 best fragrant and scented houseplants. From the sweet, citrusy scent of the Lemon Tree to the heady, floral fragrance of the Bird of Paradise, we've got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, these plants are sure to delight your senses and bring a touch of nature into your home.

Bird of Paradise: The Exotic Fragrance Queen

The Bird of Paradise is a stunning plant with a unique, exotic fragrance that's sure to turn heads. Its sweet, floral scent is released in the evening, making it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms. With its bright, indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Bird of Paradise is a standout choice for its unique fragrance and stunning appearance. Its flowers can grow up to 6 inches in length, making it a great choice for adding a touch of drama to your space. And, with its ability to grow up to 6 feet tall, it's a great choice for filling a large room with fragrance.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect-bright light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Medium care
  • Pet Safe: No

Read our full Bird of Paradise care guide

String of Hearts: The Delicate, Floral Fragrance

The String of Hearts is a beautiful, trailing plant with a delicate, floral fragrance that's sure to delight. Its small, heart-shaped leaves are covered in tiny, fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring and summer months. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The String of Hearts is a great choice for its delicate, floral fragrance and stunning appearance. Its trailing stems make it a great choice for hanging baskets or containers, and its small size makes it perfect for small spaces. And, with its ability to grow up to 3 feet long, it's a great choice for filling a room with fragrance.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: Yes

Read our full String of Hearts care guide

Lemon Tree: The Citrusy, Uplifting Fragrance

The Lemon Tree is a popular choice for its bright, citrusy fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small, white flowers bloom in the spring and summer months, filling the air with a sweet, uplifting scent. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Lemon Tree is a great choice for its bright, citrusy fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small size makes it perfect for small spaces, and its ability to grow up to 10 feet tall makes it a great choice for filling a large room with fragrance. And, with its high oil content, it's a great choice for making homemade cleaning products and beauty treatments.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: No

Read our full Lemon Tree care guide

Wax Flower: The Sweet, Honey-Like Fragrance

The Wax Flower is a beautiful, fragrant plant with a sweet, honey-like scent that's sure to delight. Its small, white flowers bloom in the spring and summer months, filling the air with a sweet, uplifting fragrance. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Wax Flower is a great choice for its sweet, honey-like fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small size makes it perfect for small spaces, and its ability to grow up to 3 feet tall makes it a great choice for filling a room with fragrance. And, with its high oil content, it's a great choice for making homemade beauty treatments and perfumes.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: Yes

Read our full Wax Flower care guide

Sweetheart Hoya: The Delicate, Floral Fragrance

The Sweetheart Hoya is a beautiful, fragrant plant with a delicate, floral scent that's sure to delight. Its small, heart-shaped leaves are covered in tiny, fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring and summer months. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Sweetheart Hoya is a great choice for its delicate, floral fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small size makes it perfect for small spaces, and its ability to grow up to 3 feet long makes it a great choice for filling a room with fragrance. And, with its high oil content, it's a great choice for making homemade beauty treatments and perfumes.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: Yes

Read our full Sweetheart Hoya care guide

Wax Plant: The Sweet, Honey-Like Fragrance

The Wax Plant is a beautiful, fragrant plant with a sweet, honey-like scent that's sure to delight. Its small, white flowers bloom in the spring and summer months, filling the air with a sweet, uplifting fragrance. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Wax Plant is a great choice for its sweet, honey-like fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small size makes it perfect for small spaces, and its ability to grow up to 3 feet tall makes it a great choice for filling a room with fragrance. And, with its high oil content, it's a great choice for making homemade beauty treatments and perfumes.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: Yes

Read our full Wax Plant care guide

Hoya Obovata: The Sweet, Floral Fragrance

The Hoya Obovata is a beautiful, fragrant plant with a sweet, floral scent that's sure to delight. Its small, white flowers bloom in the spring and summer months, filling the air with a sweet, uplifting fragrance. With its indirect light requirements and weekly watering needs, this plant is relatively easy to care for.

Why We Recommend It

The Hoya Obovata is a great choice for its sweet, floral fragrance and stunning appearance. Its small size makes it perfect for small spaces, and its ability to grow up to 3 feet tall makes it a great choice for filling a room with fragrance. And, with its high oil content, it's a great choice for making homemade beauty treatments and perfumes.

Quick Stats

  • Light: Indirect light
  • Water: Weekly watering
  • Difficulty: Easy care
  • Pet Safe: Yes

Read our full Hoya Obovata care guide

How We Chose These Plants

We chose these 7 fragrant and scented houseplants based on their unique fragrance, stunning appearance, and ease of care. We considered factors such as light requirements, watering needs, and pet safety to ensure that these plants are suitable for a variety of spaces and households.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most fragrant houseplant?

A: The most fragrant houseplant is often subjective, but the Bird of Paradise is a popular choice for its unique, exotic fragrance.

Q: How often should I water my fragrant houseplants?

A: The watering needs of fragrant houseplants vary, but most require weekly watering. Be sure to check the specific watering needs of your plant to ensure you're providing the right amount of moisture.

Q: Are fragrant houseplants safe for pets?

A: Not all fragrant houseplants are safe for pets, so be sure to check the pet safety of your plant before bringing it home. Some plants, such as the Bird of Paradise, are toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach.

PlantCare Central — About This Guide

PlantCare Central publishes structured houseplant care content built around specific measurements and actionable guidance. All guides follow a consistent research framework covering light requirements, watering schedules, soil composition, and seasonal care.

Featured Plants
In This Guide

Bird of Paradise houseplant
Moderate

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

The Bird of Paradise is a stunning, flowering plant known for its unique, bird-like blooms and lush, green foliage, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens and outdoor landscapes. With proper care, this tropical plant can thrive and provide year-round beauty and interest, attracting birds and other pollinators to its vibrant, orange and purple flowers.

Bright IndirectWeekly
String of Hearts houseplant
Easy

String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii

The Ceropegia woodii, also known as the String of Hearts, is a unique and beautiful houseplant that offers a trailing, heart-shaped foliage and a delicate, pleasant scent. Its low-maintenance requirements and air-purifying properties make it a great addition to any indoor space.

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Lemon Tree houseplant
Easy

Lemon Tree

Citrus limon

The Citrus limon, commonly known as the lemon tree, is a popular houseplant prized for its fragrant flowers, beautiful foliage, and delicious fruit. With proper care, this plant can thrive indoors, providing a touch of warmth and elegance to any room.

Indirect LightWeekly
Wax Flower houseplant
Easy

Wax Flower

Hoya carnosa

The Hoya carnosa, also known as the Wax Flower, is a popular and low-maintenance houseplant that is easy to care for and offers beautiful, fragrant blooms. With its waxy leaves and stems, this plant is perfect for those who want to add a touch of tropical elegance to their indoor space.

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Sweetheart Hoya houseplant
Easy

Sweetheart Hoya

Hoya kerrii

The Hoya kerrii, also known as the Sweetheart Hoya, is a low-maintenance, tropical houseplant that is perfect for beginners. It is known for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, wax-like flowers that bloom in the summer months.

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Wax Plant houseplant
Easy

Wax Plant

Hoya linearis

The Hoya linearis, also known as the Wax Plant, is a low-maintenance and fragrant houseplant that is perfect for indoor spaces, offering a pleasant scent and air-purifying benefits. Its unique, linear leaves and waxy flowers make it a standout addition to any room.

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Wax Plant houseplant
Easy

Wax Plant

Hoya obovata

The Hoya obovata is a beautiful, low-maintenance houseplant known for its waxy leaves and fragrant flowers. It is a popular choice among plant enthusiasts due to its ease of care and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.

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