Many houseplants are grown for their flowers or decorative leaves and some for their hardiness. There is another group of plants which are scented and so add an extra dimension to the display. Two of the plants on the list are aromatic herbs, but the rest all have either fragrant flowers or foliage. I found this article by Amy Grant over at the Gardening Know How website.
Some folks grow houseplants as a relaxing hobby or to add a decorative touch to a room. Houseplants bring the outdoors inside, improve the homes air quality and may be chosen for their blooms and fragrance. Introducing fragrant houseplants into the home d?cor can aid in eliminating the need for air fresheners, especially during the long winter months when a closed home can tend to smell a bit stale.
Indoor plants that smell good will also give gardeners?something green to tend to while awaiting the spring planting season.What are Some Indoor Plants That Smell Good?
There are a number of fragrant indoor plants that can be grown by the frustrated gardener.
The gardenia is an extremely popular choice when growing aromatic houseplants. Gardenias have an intense, sweet aroma with dark green, glossy leaves and stunning white flowers. This beauty can be a bit difficult to grow indoors due to its high humidity, bright light and warm daytime temperature requirements with cool nights of 55-60 F. (13-16 C.). ?Additionally, this fragrant houseplant can grow quite large, up to 6 to 8 feet tall. Caring for this aromatic plant indoors may not be the best choice for those who will not pamper it.
Scented geraniums are also a popular option for fragrant indoor plants. Caring for this aromatic plant indoors is a bit simpler than the gardenia. Geraniums have a wide range of scents from lemon, peppermint, chocolate, orange, lavender, rose and even pineapple. The fragrance of scented geraniums comes not from the blooms, but from the foliage and as a result is fairly weak. Scented geraniums need well-draining soil and cool temps of between 55-68 F. (13-20 C.). Allow the plant to dry between watering and fertilize once a month during the winter months. Then, move the plant outside as temps warm to blossom.Additional Fragrant Houseplants
The above houseplants tend to require a bit of TLC, while the following are more adaptable for growing as indoor plants that smell good too.
Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) or pink jasmine is a member of the olive family and is an evergreen vine that grows outside in warm climates. It needs high humidity, warm temps and full sunlight. This jasmine has dark green leaves with tiny white flower clusters that pink up as they mature with a sweet aroma.
Read more at Gardening Know How
Image source: Natalie Maynor
