All the decorations, renovations, and furniture in the world can’t make even the most wonderful of homes feel fresh. The secret to a truly fresh home is to have some houseplants, which will spread a delightful fragrance throughout each room, leaving your space smelling amazing. So, if you feel that your home needs to be freshened up, consider keeping the following houseplants in different rooms, and they’ll work their magic.
Gardenia
The first flower on this list smells simply delightful–the gardenia, of which blooms are known for their intoxicating fragrance. People often compare the smell to a blend of sweet jasmine and fresh-cut flowers, while others compare it to the creaminess of a coconut. Best of all, these plants thrive indoors with plenty of indirect light, offering clusters of creamy white flowers that stand out against glossy green leaves.
Lavender
The gentle, calming fragrance of lavender is another household favorite, thanks to its unmistakable and cherished scent, which is known for its soothing qualities. Indoors, lavender just needs a sunny spot to thrive, where its aromatic purple flowers can release their soft, herbal scent. You’ll no doubt find that lavender’s fragrance brings a sense of tranquility to your home, making it ideal for bedrooms or reading nooks.
Jasmine
Smelling similar to the gardenia, indoor jasmine plants fill the air with a distinct, sweet scent that’s perfect for relaxation. This scent will linger even after the sun sets, making it a wonderful choice for creating a gentle ambiance that feels welcoming at any hour. To care for jasmine, just plant it near a bright window, and you’ll soon be treated to its fruity aroma.
Lemon Balm
Speaking for itself, the lemon balm features a wonderfully fresh, citrusy aroma that will brighten up any home. Its broad green leaves emit a clean lemon scent when gently brushed, perfect for lifting the mood of a room. Furthermore, lemon balm is also low-maintenance, growing well in pots with partial sunlight, and makes an excellent companion plant for other fragrant houseplants.
Sweet Bay
The rich, earthy aroma of sweet bay leaves offers a touch of the Mediterranean right at home. Often used in cooking, the fresh scent of the sweet bay makes for a solid addition to any kitchen or dining area, as long as you give it plenty of bright light and prune it once in a while.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus brings a cool, invigorating scent that’s both fresh and clean, and it’s even beloved for its air-purifying qualities. It’s very similar to a menthol-like aroma, which we’re sure you’ll agree makes your home feel fresh. While eucalyptus loves a lot of light and humidity, it may not be ideal indoors for long periods, but a small pot near a bright window should grow just fine.
Rosemary
Another houseplant that will make your home smell wonderful is rosemary, with its strong, woodsy fragrance. This piney scent provides an outdoor aroma to the inside of your house, making it perfect for a kitchen or living room. What’s more, you can harvest the leaves to include as an ingredient when cooking, so it really is a treat to the senses.
Orchid
While many orchids, especially Phalaenopsis, do not have a strong fragrance, certain types can add a gentle, vanilla-like scent. Even without the smell, orchids are cherished for their beautiful blooms, but those seeking fragrance should research varieties known for their aroma, as there are plenty of species out there.
Mint
Everyone is familiar with the smell of the mint plant, which gives any room a lively, cool aroma that’s refreshing and crisp. Much like eucalyptus, its scent has a way of brightening the atmosphere of any space and can even be released with the touch of a leaf. We’d recommend placing it in your kitchen or dining area, as it will grow easily in a pot with moderate light exposure.
Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums offer an array of fragrances, including rose, lemon, and peppermint, so take your pick! These plants release their aromas through their leaves, filling a space with soft, fresh scents when brushed. Furthermore, scented geraniums enjoy sunlight and can flower, adding visual charm along with their varied aromas. They’re ideal for anyone wanting to experiment with different natural fragrances.
Patchouli
Indoor gardeners love the patchouli for its deep, musky fragrance, which is undeniably unique and unmistakable. While it might not sound like it, it’s often associated with relaxation, so it’s best to keep it in a room where you enjoy downtime. Better still, this aromatic plant is very easy to care for indoors, so there’s really no excuse not to grow it for yourself.
Lemon Verbena
As you might expect, lemon verbena has a bright, lemony scent that provides refreshing notes, all of which are packed into its narrow green leaves. A general rule of thumb is to grow lemon verbena in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill, where it will grow and release its aroma with ease.
Plumeria
World-renowned for their tropical fragrance, plumerias give off an inviting, sweet scent reminiscent of vacation breezes. Beautifully, these plants produce waxy flowers in various colors, filling the air with a soft, exotic aroma. You’ll need to give your plumerias lots of bright light and warm conditions, though, so if you live in a cooler region, they might not be ideal.
Citrus Trees
Yet another citrus-smelling plant on this list is the classic citrus tree. Obviously, you won’t be able to grow a full-sized tree in your home unless you live in a mansion, but miniature lemon or orange trees should do the job. Both offer cute visual appeal and a delightful citrus aroma and while the fruit takes time to grow, the leaves alone will keep you going, giving off a fresh, zesty scent that enlivens the space.
Pineapple Sage
Keeping the theme fruity, pineapple sage carries a tropical, fruity fragrance that’s as unique as its name. The bright green leaves release a fresh pineapple-like aroma, perfect for kitchens or living areas, especially if these rooms can provide their desired sunlight. Just water it moderately, and the pineapple sage will have everything it needs to brighten up your home.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley’s small, bell-shaped flowers produce a delicate, sweet scent that’s light and elegant. This fragrant plant loves partial sunlight and cooler temperatures, making it suitable for cozy indoor spaces. We’re confident that you’ll love its gentle scent, which is subtle and accessible yet unmistakable.
Cuban Oregano
Though unrelated to true oregano, Cuban oregano has a potent, spicy scent with hints of mint and thyme. It’ll grow wonderfully indoors with not much care, bringing a robust aroma when its thick leaves are touched. Consider placing it in your kitchen or entryway, and you’ll be rewarded with a warm, herbal scent that feels welcoming and unique.
Stephanotis
Stephanotis flowers are prized for their sweet, almost jasmine-like fragrance that can fill a room with warmth. Also known as Madagascar jasmine, this vine plant produces clusters of white, star-shaped flowers, ideal for brightening a sunny window. Yes, stephanotis needs a bit of attention, but in return, it’ll give you a lingering, cozy scent that you’ll never get bored of.
Spearmint
We’re sure we don’t need to describe to you what the spearmint plant smells like, but here we go: it’s like a lighter, more refreshing, sweeter version of mint. Many people find this fragrance calming, adding a subtle freshness without overpowering a space. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, either, because spearmint is super easy to grow indoors; all you need to do is give it moderate sunlight and the occasional water.
Hyacinth
This list of fragrant plants couldn’t be finished without mentioning hyacinths, flowers that are known for their bold, fragrant blooms. The rich, sweet fragrance will fill any room that you place it in, as long as it’s in a cooler, darker indoor spot. Honestly, we doubt that anyone has ever regretted introducing hyacinths into their house!