Grayson West
Creating a serene and inviting home environment involves engaging multiple senses, and one of the best ways to do so is to use aromatic indoor plants. While the flora enhances the visual appeal of your living space, the fragrance infuses it with natural, soothing scents that can uplift your mood and reduce stress. If you are looking to bring a touch of nature into your home, here are 15 aromatic indoor plants you should consider.
Lavender
One of its most popular attributes is its calming scent. It is popularly used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. The plant has little purple flowers and can thrive indoors with plenty of sunlight and proper drainage. Its essential oil has many beauty and health benefits, like evening skin tone and reducing coloration.
Jasmine
This plant produces fragrant white or yellow flowers and can fill a room with an exotic aroma. Jasmine smells stronger at night when its petals open as the temperature drops. To maintain it, ensure bright, indirect light and regular watering to keep the root evenly moist. Meanwhile, Jasmine tea and essential oils have calming and soothing effects.
Gardenia
With its strong, lovely scent, gardenia can perfume an entire room. It is also used in perfumes. The plant’s glossy, dark green leaves combine with its white flowers that bloom in spring and summer to beautify your space. Gardenias demand high humidity, bright indirect light—direct light can burn them—and organically rich, acidic soil.
Mint
This easy-to-grow and invasive perennial has a refreshing scent and is perfect for the kitchen. Its leaves release an invigorating aroma and can be used in cooking, teas, and garnishes. Mint prefers moist soil—not excess water—and can handle full sun and part shade. It can also help repel insects, so it’s a more practical addition.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a woody, evergreen scent and produces little bluish, pinkish, violet, or white flowers. This herb not only smells great but is also helpful in food preparation. Various dishes contain fresh or dried rosemary. Ideally suited for bright, dry soil, it should be watered around once in ten days.
Lemon Balm
This citrusy herb has a calming effect, can reduce anxiety, and boosts moods. The leaves, dried or fresh, can be used to make herbal teas and other remedies. Its flower, which has a fresh, lemony scent, is fine with full sun and partial shade and adapts to several soil conditions.
Scented Geranium
These plants come in various scents, including rose, lime, coconut, and apple. They have fragrant leaves and small flowers, are easy to care for, and only need well-drained soil. The leaves can be used in potpourri, sachets, and culinary applications.
Orchids
Some varieties of orchids have no fragrance at all, while some have powerful smells. Their scents are very distinct—sweet, musty, lemon, etc.—and they look symmetrical and stunning. While some orchids thrive in shades, others demand full sun all day. Orchids can be picky about conditions, so to care for them, you’ll have to educate yourself some more.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has aromatic leaves. It blends earthiness, mint, and freshness to provide a lovely, refreshing, menthol-like fragrance. Its oil aids respiration by opening the airways and repels mosquitoes and other insects. Other uses are as a cold remedy and can be found in cold medicines. The soil for eucalyptus plants should be well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral.
Hoya
Also known as the wax plant, it has over 200 species. Some emit a honey-like fragrance; others a chocolatey aroma. Hoyas have thick, waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. Generally, they are easy to maintain. They need bright, indirect light and watering when the substrate is dry. Hoyas can bloom multiple times a year.
Thyme
This herb doubles as a fragrant indoor plant and a cooking ingredient. The leaves smell of thyme and lemon and release their fragrance when touched. Thyme should be planted in free-draining soil or compost. Their watering needs drop once established, as they can handle almost drought conditions. Fresh or dried, you can use thyme in various dishes.
Bay Laurel
The leaves of this plant release a slightly floral aroma—similar to thyme and oregano. Bay laurel has leathery, pointed, dark green leaves and can be grown as a tree or shrub. Give it a bright, sunny light and well-drained soil, and it will thrive. People use bay leaves in soups, stews, and sauces for their rich flavor.
Patchouli
Patchouli has a strong, earthy scent, often used in perfumes and incense. It has oval-shaped, irregularly toothed leaves and loves bright, indirect light—especially by a window facing east or west. Consistent moisture without water logging will keep it growing. The plant’s essential oil repels insects and is used in aromatherapy and skincare.
Citrus Trees
These trees have glossy leaves and produce sweet-smelling flowers. Small indoor varieties like Meyer lemon and calamondin orange will produce fruit and give your home hints of lavender and bergamot. They require so much bright sunlight and regular watering.
Stephanotis
Also known as Madagascar jasmine, this plant has a jasmine and intense fragrance. Stephanotis has glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of star-shaped white flowers. Let the plant enjoy bright, indirect light and high humidity. Due to its beautiful flowers and enchanting scent, Stephanotis works wonderfully in wedding bouquets and arrangements.
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