Flowers that bloom at night offer a unique and enchanting aspect to gardening, transforming landscapes into nocturnal wonders. These plants adapt to the cooler, often more humid conditions of the night, opening their petals to reveal their beauty under the moonlight. Their blooms are often accompanied by a potent fragrance, specifically evolved to attract night-flying pollinators like moths, bats, and some species of beetles.
The phenomenon of night blooming is not just about visual appeal; it plays a significant role in the ecosystem. By blooming at night, these plants can avoid the heat of the day, which can be particularly beneficial in warmer climates. This adaptation also helps in reducing competition for daytime pollinators, thereby ensuring that these flowers can effectively reproduce with the help of nocturnal creatures.
Cultivating a garden with night-blooming flowers can create a magical experience, where the garden comes alive after dark. These plants can light up pathways, patios, or even indoor spaces with their glow and scent, offering a serene environment for evening relaxation. They require minimal care compared to many day-bloomers, often needing less water and being less prone to the harshness of direct sunlight, making them ideal for gardeners looking to extend the beauty of their garden into the night.
Flowers that bloom at night
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Moonflower is a captivating night-bloomer with large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that open as the sun sets and close with the morning light. Its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant blooms, which emit a lemony scent, make it a perfect addition to any moon garden. This vine grows quickly and is best supported by a trellis or fence, thriving in warm, tropical climates but can be grown as an annual in cooler regions.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening primrose is known for its yellow flowers that bloom at dusk and remain open until midday. This biennial is native to North America, with its sweet, lemon-scented flowers attracting bees, moths, and butterflies. It’s hardy across USDA zones 4-9, preferring well-draining, sandy soils where it can showcase its blooms from late spring to late summer.
Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Despite its name, this plant isn’t a true jasmine but rather a member of the nightshade family. It produces small, white flowers that release a powerful, sweet fragrance at night. Often grown as a shrub, it can be trained to grow as a vine and is particularly valued for its scent, making it ideal near patios or windows.
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Known for its intoxicating fragrance, tuberose produces clusters of white, waxy flowers on tall stems that bloom at night during late summer. This perennial is often used in perfumery and can grow up to 3 feet tall, offering a dazzling display under the moonlight in zones 7-10.
Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia)
With its dramatic, drooping, trumpet-shaped flowers in colors like white, pink, or yellow, Angel’s Trumpet blooms from spring through fall. It’s a shrub or small tree that requires warm conditions, thriving in USDA zones 8-10. However, it’s important to note that all parts of this plant are highly toxic.
Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis)
Also known as Midnight Candy, Night Phlox boasts small, star-shaped flowers that release a sweet fragrance at night. These flowers are white during the day but reveal a pink reverse when they open. It’s perfect for borders or rock gardens, growing best in zones 9-11.
Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
As their name suggests, Four O’Clocks open late in the afternoon and close by morning. Available in a variety of colors, these flowers are easy to grow and add a burst of color to evening gardens. They thrive in zones 7-10 and are known for their ability to attract nocturnal pollinators.
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
This cactus is famed for its large, white, highly fragrant flowers that bloom for just one night each year, typically in summer. It’s a succulent that can be grown indoors or in hanging baskets, making it an exotic addition to any garden or home.
Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
Known for its chocolate-like fragrance, this perennial blooms at night with yellow flowers. It’s native to the Southwestern U.S. and can grow in zones 4-10, offering a unique sensory experience with its scent most potent after dark.
Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans)
This flower has a delicate, drooping form with white or pink petals that open at night to attract moths. It’s particularly charming in woodland gardens or as an ornamental grass in zones 6-10.
Night-Blooming Water Lily (Nymphaea)
These lilies open their cup-like flowers, often in shades of pink or red, at dusk and close by morning. They’re perfect for water gardens in zones 9-10, providing both beauty and a cooling effect to the water.
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenias are renowned for their sweet, intoxicating fragrance that intensifies at night. Their creamy white flowers and glossy, dark leaves make them a favorite for moon gardens, especially in zones 8-11 where they thrive.
Casa Blanca Lily (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’)
This lily variety produces large, white, fragrant flowers that are particularly striking at night. Known for its classic scent, it blooms in mid to late summer and is a perennial in zones 4-9, making it an elegant choice for both bouquets and garden landscapes.
Night Gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)
Known for its sweet, honey-like scent, this gladiolus blooms with creamy white flowers at night. It’s particularly appreciated in zones 7-10 for its ability to light up evening gardens with its fragrance.
Evening Rain Lily (Zephyranthes drummondii)
This small, delicate lily blooms in response to moisture, often after evening showers, with white or pink flowers. It’s a hardy perennial in zones 7-10, perfect for naturalizing in garden beds or lawns.
Night-Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
With its heady, sweet scent, this annual produces clusters of small, purple, pink, or white flowers that open at night. It’s easy to grow in zones 2-10, ideal for borders or pots where its fragrance can be enjoyed.
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
While not strictly a garden plant, many Phalaenopsis orchids release their fragrance at night to attract moths. Their blooms, which can be various colors, often last for months, making them a great indoor option in any climate.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
This low-growing annual produces small, white, fragrant flowers that bloom more profusely at night, especially in cooler weather. It’s perfect for edging paths or in pots in zones 5-9.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
With varieties like ‘Sensation’, Nicotiana offers star-shaped flowers in shades from white to deep pink that open in the evening. They attract moths and other night pollinators and are suitable for zones 10-11 as perennials or annuals elsewhere.
Night-Flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)
This plant bears small, white flowers that are particularly fragrant at night. It’s an annual that self-seeds readily, making it a good choice for naturalized areas in zones 3-8.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Emitting a sweet, orange blossom-like scent, Mock Orange flowers at night, especially in cooler temperatures. This shrub is hardy across zones 4-8, providing a fragrant border or hedge.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Some species of honeysuckle, like Lonicera japonica, bloom at night with fragrant white or yellow flowers, attracting moths. They’re versatile climbers, thriving in zones 4-9.
White Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
These annuals bloom all day but intensify their fragrance at night, with their white flowers glowing under moonlight. They’re great for shaded areas in zones 10-11 or as annuals in cooler regions.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
This perennial has frothy, white flower spikes that shine in the night, especially in shaded gardens. It’s resilient in zones 3-8, making it perfect for woodland settings.
Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)
Known for its large, white, highly fragrant flowers that bloom for just one night, this cactus adds a touch of drama. It’s a houseplant favorite in cooler climates but can be grown outdoors in zones 10-11.
Dahlia ‘Moonfire’
While most dahlias bloom during the day, ‘Moonfire’ is known for its evening display of red flowers with yellow centers. It’s a tuberous perennial in zones 7-10, adding vibrant color to night gardens.