There’s something undeniably magical about a moonlit garden — a tranquil, glowing space filled with delicate fragrances and blooms that come alive under the stars. Night-blooming flowers not only add beauty to evening landscapes but also attract nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats. Whether you’re creating a romantic retreat or a serene backyard sanctuary, these flowers bring drama, charm, and a little mystery after dark. Here are 10 stunning night-blooming flowers to make your moonlit garden unforgettable.
1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
A classic choice for any night garden, Moonflowers open their large, pristine white blooms at dusk, releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that lingers in the air. Their trumpet-shaped flowers glow under moonlight, creating a mesmerizing effect. This fast-growing vine thrives in full sun to partial shade and is perfect for covering trellises, fences, or pergolas. With blooms that unfurl in the evening and close by morning, Moonflowers provide a nightly spectacle throughout summer and early fall.
2. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening Primrose is a hardy, easy-to-grow plant that unfurls its delicate yellow blossoms as the sun sets. The lightly lemon-scented flowers open in a matter of minutes, making it a fun plant to watch at twilight. Native to North America, it’s a favorite among pollinators like moths and night-flying insects. Evening Primrose grows well in sunny spots with well-drained soil, and its cheerful blooms can brighten borders, wildflower gardens, or naturalized areas under the soft glow of moonlight.
3. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Known as one of the most fragrant night-bloomers, Night-Blooming Jasmine releases a powerful, heady scent that can fill an entire garden after dusk. Its small, tubular white-green flowers open at night and close by morning. This tropical evergreen shrub prefers warm climates and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s ideal for planting near patios, porches, or open windows where its intoxicating fragrance can be enjoyed on balmy summer evenings.
4. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
True to their name, Four O’Clocks open their flowers in the late afternoon or early evening and stay open through the night. These colorful blooms come in shades of pink, red, yellow, white, and even bi-color varieties. Sweetly scented and fast-growing, Four O’Clocks attract evening pollinators and can reseed themselves easily. They’re perfect for borders, containers, and cottage-style gardens where a splash of evening color is always welcome.
5. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
If you crave a head-turning fragrance in your moonlit garden, Tuberose is a must-have. This elegant plant produces clusters of waxy, white tubular flowers on tall stems, which bloom at night and release a rich, sweet perfume. A favorite in perfumery, Tuberose thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and blooms in mid to late summer. Its heavenly scent and luminous flowers make it a standout addition to patios, borders, or moonlit pathways.
6. Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis)
Also known as Midnight Candy, Night Phlox offers small, starry white flowers with purple backs that unfurl at dusk, releasing a delicious fragrance reminiscent of honey, vanilla, and almonds. Native to South Africa, it thrives in sunny or partially shaded gardens with well-drained soil. This low-growing annual is perfect for edging garden beds, hanging baskets, or containers placed near outdoor seating areas where its nighttime scent can be fully appreciated.
7. Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
A true showstopper, Queen of the Night is a tropical cactus that produces enormous, white, fragrant flowers that bloom for just one night before fading by dawn. Native to Central and South America, it’s often grown as a houseplant or in warm-climate gardens. Its dramatic, one-night-only blossoms make it a prized plant for collectors and moon garden enthusiasts. With proper care, it can reward growers with multiple breathtaking blooms each summer.
8. Datura (Datura inoxia)
Sometimes called Angel’s Trumpet (though it belongs to a different genus than Brugmansia), Datura is famous for its large, trumpet-shaped white flowers that open in the evening and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. While stunning, it’s important to note that all parts of Datura are toxic if ingested. It thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and adds a mystical, slightly wild touch to moon gardens. Its striking blooms and intoxicating aroma make it a captivating nighttime feature.
9. Casa Blanca Lily (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’)
An elegant, highly fragrant choice for moonlit gardens, the Casa Blanca Lily features large, pure white flowers that glow under evening light. Their heady, sweet scent becomes especially pronounced at night, attracting moths and filling the air with perfume. This hardy lily thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas with rich, well-drained soil. Plant them in clusters near patios, walkways, or windows to enjoy their beauty and fragrance during evening hours.
10. Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata)
For a unique twist, the Chocolate Flower offers sunny yellow, daisy-like blooms that release a rich, chocolatey aroma in the evening and early morning. Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its cheerful flowers open at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators. It’s perfect for adding playful charm and fragrance to borders, wildflower meadows, or rock gardens while offering a delightful surprise for night garden visitors.