11 Flowers That Bloom at Night for a Garden That Never Sleeps

Moonflower

The moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is the nighttime sister to the beautiful morning glory, only it comes alive under the evening stars. "These creamy white blooms open in the evening and only stay in bloom at night," says Kalyn Hewitt, lead floral designer for The Bouqs Co. "I'm partial to any morning glory because of their delicate shape and how they drape around a garden. They are just so stunning, and I think the uniqueness of this one only adds to their allure.” 

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

Night Phlox

Night phlox (Zaluzianskya ovata) is a captivating flowering plant that's native to South Africa. "Its blooms resemble small daisies and release a sweet and honey-like fragrance after the sun goes down," says Erin Cunningham, lead designer and CFO for Peachtree Plants. "The leaves form a dense, low-growing clump that looks lush and green." This is an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. 

• Zones: 9 to 10
• Size: up to 12 inches tall x 2 to 3 feet white
• Growing conditions: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

Gardenia

The gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is known for its intense fragrance and white blossoms that cluster against dark and waxy green foliage. "She’s beautiful, she's classic, she's the scent of summer," says Nikki Baboun, co-owner of House of Lilac. "Even before I see a gardenia, I can smell the fragrance and am immediately compelled to go look for the flower." This plant favors warm evenings and even emits more fragrance at night to attract moths.

• Zones: 7 to 11 
• Size: 2 to 8 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
• Growing Conditions: Full sun in morning; moist, well-draining soil

Night Blooming Jasmine

Also referred to as the lady of the night, night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) is a tropical evergreen shrub that's not actually a member of the jasmine family—it's a nightshade. "Besides the night flowers, our garden owners love the intense tropical fragrance," Cunningham says. "This makes a great choice for a garden because it can be trained as a vine and also looks beautiful during the day." If you plant it near a window or door, you can enjoy the scent indoors, too.

• Zones: 9 to 11
• Size: 8 to 10 feet tall x up to 3 feet wide
• Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist soil

Four O'Clock Alba

True to its name, the four o'clock alba (Mirabilis jalapa) starts unfolding its petals in the late afternoon and remains on display through the night. This airy, bushy perennial—which features large white blossoms against deep green foliage—also unleashes a light citrusy scent that fills the evening air. 

• Zones: 7 to 10 
• Size: up to 4 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

Mock Orange

If you've ever gotten a whiff of mock orange (Philadelphus), you know just how intoxicating their scent can be. The mock orange shrub gets its name because the aroma emitted from its tiny white blossoms is very similar to that of orange blossoms, says Baboun. You can even pluck some of these flowers and bring them inside.

• Zones: 4 to 8 
• Size: 6 to 12 feet tall x 6 to 12 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

Evening Primrose

Evening primrose (Oenothera) begins its show just as the sun starts to set and continues through the late evening. It's a perennial that blooms from spring through late summer and has an interesting appearance with rosette-like flowers that bloom atop a tall stem covered in soft hairs.

"They begin to open up before the twilight hours in the most delicate pink-and-white colors," says Hewitt. "I love primrose for their ease of care. They are a very hardy plant and look wonderful in most gardens."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 2 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

Casa Blanca Lily

For a magnificent flower that blooms at night, look no further than the Casa Blanca lily (lilium 'Casa Blanca'). As its name suggests, this perennial produces large white blooms with red-brown anthers, dazzling passersby all summer long. These blossoms sit atop a tall, rigid, and leafy stem. Like other lilies, its flowers are toxic to pets, so make sure to keep them out of reach of your furry friends.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 1 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full to partial sun; moist soil

Queen of the Night Cactus

The queen of the night cactus (Cereus hildmannianus) is a flowering variety native to North America's Sonoran Desert. Their white or yellow blossoms are large and trumpet-shaped and sit in stark contrast to the tough, prickly cactus exterior. "Chances are, you've seen this cactus and had no idea its real beauty was best seen at night," says Cunningham. "For anyone in the Southwest, this is a great, low-maintenance choice to give variety to a garden or landscape."

• Zones: 9 to 10 
• Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: full sun; light, well-draining cactus mix soil

Nocturnum Orchid

Those living in a wet, tropical climate can enjoy the beauty of the aptly named Nocturnum orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum). It produces long, dark green foliage and otherworldly white blossoms that take on a peculiar shape. What's also remarkable about this night-blooming flower is its intoxicating fragrance. It's been described as a fruity flower akin to strawberry or raspberry.  

• Zones: 9 to 11
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
• Growing Conditions: Partial sun; well-draining soil mixed with sphagnum moss

Tuberose

Tuberose (Agave amica) is loved for its delightful fragrance, which intensifies as night falls. Native to Mexico, this tall, slender perennial produces waxy white blossoms. Tuberose is ideal for planting near windows or outdoor seating where you can enjoy the scent.

• Zones: 7 to 10
• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil