Learn about how to grow gardenias indoors here.
5. Hyacinth
Add a bright splash of color and a pleasant fragrance to your home with hyacinth blooms!
The bulbs can be planted in containers to create an eye-catching display when in flower.
They grow to about 10 inches in height and are easy to force to bloom indoors at the coldest times of year.
Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Purple Sensation’ bulbs are available from Burpee. This gorgeous cultivar is highly fragrant.
Check out our guide to learn more about growing hyacinths.
6. Jasmine
If I had to pick a favorite for the dreamiest scent, it would be jasmine!
I’d like to highlight Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) since it has a potent scent that natural perfumers and gardeners adore.
Like the other aromatic plants mentioned already, placing jasmine near a sunny window where it will receive at least six hours of sun is optimal for growth and flowering.
Arabian jasmine can reach four to five feet in height and will require trellising for best results.
Pruning helps to keep them in check, and will encourage upright stem growth and more abundant blooms.
You can find plants in two-and-a-half-quart containers available from Cottage Farms Direct via Home Depot.
Read more about growing jasmine here.
7. Lavender
Lavender is one of the most calming scents that can be produced in an indoor garden. I like that it’s not too overpowering, like some flowers can be.
Like the other aromatic herbs listed here, lavender will require a location that receives bright, direct sun.
And selecting a compact variety to grow in a container is key!
Sensational™ (Lavandula x intermedia) lavender plants live up to their name.
These are the perfect size for growing in a container, reaching about one to three feet tall and wide when mature.
Despite its compact size, the foliage is dense and the flowers are abundant, with proper care.
You can find Sensational™ lavender available at Fast Growing Trees.
Lavender benefits from deadheading after flowering. I like to cut the flowers and place them in vases in other areas of the house where I can enjoy the fresh, calming aroma.
Learn more about growing lavender here.
8. Lemon Balm
Having a lemony-scented herb like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) nearby helps bring in the sunshine on gloomy days!
Herbs that are in the mint family like this one are very forgiving and benefit from being picked for use. The more you cut, the bushier the plant will grow.
They do enjoy the sunlight and need to be placed in an indoor area with bright sun exposure for at least four hours a day.
This could be next to a window that receives morning sun, or a space that’s sunny in the afternoon.
This aromatic herb will grow up to 18 inches tall, and you can cultivate it from seed to harvest in about 70 to 90 days.
Eden Brothers has seed packets available to get you started if you’d like to grow your own lemon balm indoors.
And don’t forget to read our lemon balm growing guide for tips.
9. Mint
This resilient herb’s scent is fresh and rejuvenating! Enjoy the fragrance and harvest some leaves for a tasty aromatic tea or to garnish a drink.
It also makes a wonderful aromatic option to grow in an office space. Any time I need a pick-me-up, I run my fingers through the foliage and I am instantly invigorated.
Mentha plants are easy to grow indoors with adequate sunlight and water.
These plants don’t grow that tall, reaching about six to eight inches in height and spreading outward, over the sides of their containers.
Keep mint plants tidy by harvesting and enjoying the leaves.
Heirloom common mint seeds are available from Botanical Interests.
Read more about growing mint here.
10. Nutmeg Geranium
This is one of my favorite geraniums, in terms of its scent!
The silvery-green foliage of this scented geranium (Pelargonium x fragrans) has a strong, spicy aroma that’s released when you brush up against the plant.
Like other types of geraniums, they are easy to grow in containers in a spot that receives at least four hours of bright sunlight per day.
It’s best to water them just before the soil dries out.
Nutmeg geraniums can reach two to three feet tall with an equal spread. Pruning is a simple process, and they will respond with vigorous growth.
You can find more tips for growing geraniums here.
11. Oregano
The scent of oregano (Origanum vulgare) is nostalgic for me, so I enjoy having it close by.
If you feel the same way, add a plant to your indoor space. Used commonly in cooking, it makes a lovely addition to an indoor kitchen garden on a sunny windowsill.
Oregano grows to about 12 inches in height with an equal spread.
These plants don’t require much water. Wait until the soil has just about dried out for the most fragrant results, with an abundance of aromatic oils produced by the foliage.
And speaking of that foliage, for all of the plants described here, you want to be careful to water the soil rather than sprinkling the foliage.
Our roundup of the best watering cans for houseplants can help you to find the perfect option for your indoor garden.
You can purchase common oregano seeds from Eden Brothers. Plants grown from seed mature in about 45 to 60 days.
Read our oregano growing guide for cultivation tips.
12. Paperwhite
Perhaps a bit controversial, paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are a delight to some and abhorred by others, emitting a distinctive scent that many find pleasant – though others can’t stand it.
A Narcissus relative of daffodils, if you’re one of those gardeners who loves paperwhites, they can easily be grown indoors.
Add a touch of elegance to any space with these darling, delicate blooms.
