10 Indoor Plants That Make Your House Smell Nice

Houseplants are a great addition to any home — they look nice, they give your rooms a bit of green during the cold months, and if you choose the right ones, they can make your home smell great as well.

Here are the 10 best indoor plants for an aromatically pleasing home.

 

1. Scented Geraniums

Scented geraniums

Geraniums are hardy plants with a unique “fuzzy” texture.

The plant will produce small flowers and it comes in a variety of different scents, says Kim McKelvey, a greenhouse expert at Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, NY.

Plant varieties come in lemon, chocolate, orange, and even nutmeg.

 

2. Mint

Mint

Mint is one of nature’s miracles; it smells terrific, you can use the leaves in cooking or drinks — or even chew them for fresh breath.

Because of mint’s aggressive root system, you’ll need to replant on occasion to allow the roots to spread.

“It really shoots up and goes crazy,” says McKelvey.

Mint likes sunlight and loves water, so try to keep the soil moist at all times.

 

3. Lavender

Lavender

“Relaxing” is the best way to describe the scent of this common houseplant.

Don’t worry if you forget to water it from time to time, because lavender is a resilient plant. But be sure to give it plenty of sun, and don’t forget that even its dead blossoms retain their scent for a long time.

Just remember to clip off dead flowers to induce the growth of new ones.

 

4. Arabian Jasmine

Arabian Jasmine

This elegant plant will flower year round, provided you give it enough sunlight and humidity.

These snow-white flowers have a beautiful star-shaped appearance and produce a lovely scent that can be used for making jasmine tea.

Giving it a small trellis to climb will produce even more flowers.

 

5. Gardenia

Gardenia

“It may not be very colorful, but it’s very fragrant,” says McKelvey of the white-flowered gardenia plant.

It has been known as a challenging houseplant that requires lots of sunlight and humidity.

Luckily, the powerful scent means you only have to baby one plant.

 

6. Eucalyptus

This iconic plant best known as Koala Bear food is actually a very good beginner’s houseplant.

It’s extremely low maintenance and produces lovely grayish-blue leaves (that are toxic if ingested, so be mindful).

Keep eucalyptus in a brightly-lit, moist environment to enjoy its distinctive smell.

 

7. Orange Jessamine

Orange Jessamine

You really begin to notice the fantastic scent of this plant as its flowers bloom.

The aroma they produce is long lasting, with a lovely blend of flowery and citrus scents.

Tip: If you like the flowering version of this plant, keep it in a brightly lit area, rather than in low light.

 

8. Plumeria

Plumeria

Ever wonder what flowers Hawaiian leis were made from?

Plumeria comes in a range of cheerful colors and they emit a truly tropical smell that will fill the room.

It’s not the easiest houseplant to grow — it needs very warm and humid conditions — but if you manage it, the big beautiful flowers are well worth it.

 

9. Basil

Basil

Basil is one of several kitchen herbs that “smell great and are great for cooking,” says McKelvey.

“They are great to grow in small pots on a sunny windowsill, and in the summer you can move them outside.”

Give basil a regular pruning and watch out for flower buds!

While its delicate flowers look pretty, the plant will die once it flowers.

 

10. Citrus

Citrus

The iconic aromas of orange, grapefruit, lime and lemon are popular in everything from candles to soaps — just be careful not to overwhelm your senses with too many plants.

“Citrus plants have a very strong aroma,” says McKelvey.

Buying a dwarf variety that is 2 to 3 years old will give you flower blossoms and fruit right away.

Be warned: Citrus likes 12 hours of sunlight each day, so you might want to supplement it with a grow light during short winter days.