Behind every perfume you buy, more then not the inspiration is plant. Move over scented candles, and say hi to the freshness and natural scent that indoor plants bring with them. Whether they're blooms of lavender or citrus, some plants pack a punch with their fragrance. 

There's a plant for every aroma preference, whether you like sweet, fruity notes or intense, musky ones. All you need to do is go out and take a whiff of the fragrance you like, bring it back home, and voilà, you've got yourself a houseful of scintillating smells enough to satisfy any nasal connoisseur. Pick your favorite from the list of six plants below and genuinely change the ambiance of your home.

1. Jasmine

close up of jasmine flowers

Image credits: Arcaion via Pixabay

Jasmine is a well-loved plant with a sweet scent that finds popularity in many perfumes and houses. Usually grown as an outdoor plant, this half-vine half-shrub can be grown as an indoor plant and lend your home a beautiful fragrance. The most popular varieties to choose from include the star, primrose, and Spanish jasmine. 

Plant the jasmine in a medium-sized pot in moderately fertile, well-draining soil. A high-quality potting soil will do. The soil should always be moist but never wet. If needed you can add a support structure to the plant.

You'll see these plant's bloom between spring to fall showing off their delicate white flowers. Ensure to place jasmine in a well-lit and partially sunny spot to let it soak up the golden rays

2. Begonias

Hardy Begonias

Image credits: Doikanoyvia Shutterstock

Begonias are a perennial plant with over 2,000 species. These indoor plants are well-known for their gentle fragrance and vivid-colored blooms. The maximum height of begonias can reach two feet although some cultivars may be shorter. Their foliage is as beautiful as their blooms, and they will add color to your home throughout the season.

Plant your begonias in a fertile and well-draining soil mix. The soil should be moist. Choose a container that will enable proper drainage. Place your begonias in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight.

Water your begonias only when the soil starts to feel dry. Fertilize twice or thrice a year using a slow-release, water-soluble fertilizer. Regular pruning will ensure more flowers, so trim the leggy parts and remove dead leaves and flowers.

3. Lavender

Beautiful lavender flowers and yellow shirt on white table indoors. Space for text

Image credits: New Africa via Shutterstock

Lavender is yet another mainstay of perfumes, with a tantalizing fragrance. It's also very versatile, finding itself an ingredient in many dishes and cocktails. It's a surprisingly hardy shrub with thickly growing flowers in colors of purple, blue, pink, or white with silvery-grey or grey-green leaves.

Plant the lavender in spring in a well-draining potLavender is not picky about the soil and grows well in most soil types, from dry and chalky to moderately fertile, as long as it is free-draining and warm. This indoor plant is intolerant to the cold.

It needs at least six to eight hours of full sun a day, so place it in a spot that receives direct sun. Water it once or twice a week after planting. The lavender is drought tolerant, so once the plant is mature, it's enough to water it every two or three weeks. You should prune it annually for the best results.

Pro Tip: Toss a bag of lavender under your pillow at night for heavenly scented dreams.

4. Scented Geraniums

Scented geranium plant

Image credits: Murilo Osorio via Pixabay

Scented geraniums are a cultivar of the geranium family that is generally grown for their fragrance and not their flowers. This indoor plant's leaves are also air fresheners, not just flowers. They come in a variety of smells ranging from citrus to rose. The scented geranium is also used in various ways, including as potpourri, in perfumes, and in cuisine.

Plant it in a well-draining potting soil with a good blend of organic matter to help keep the soil moist. Place your geraniums in a cool area with full sun. Water the plant to keep the soil moist but not wet. Check that the soil is dry between watering or use a moisture tester on the soil before you water.

Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer once a month from spring through summer, then cut back. The geranium is cold-intolerant, so ensure temperatures are between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Prune as needed to keep it kempt and in shape.

5. Sweet Basil

Sweet basil in a pot

Image credits: tookapic via Pixabay

The infamous basil plant! Whether you're a culinary master or gardening enthusiast, this nifty indoor plant is known for its fragrance both in cooking and indoors. What's more, depending on the strain you pick, the leaves can be either deep purple or bright green. It's easy to grow, and with a little effort, it can become a perennial and must-have herb addition to your home.

The basil requires at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, so place it in a bright and sunny spot. The soil should be rich and fertile but well-draining, and the pH of the soil should be between 6-6.5; hence a pH tester would be a good investment. Try to get a soil mix with a healthy quantity of compost or organic matter to ensure the soil is nutrient packed.

Furthermore, don't fertilize the plant too frequently. A liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every four to six weeks should do the trick. Water deeply every seven to ten days. Indoor plants in containers tend to dry out faster, so water more frequently. One way to ensure you're watering your basil right is to check if the soil is moist by using either a moisture tester or inserting your finger into the soil. Is the soil is dry 2 inches deep, give them a soak.

Lastly, prune regularly to ensure proper growth. Just pinch of the leaves to use right then and there!

6. Gardenia

Gardenia

Image credits: endro lewa via Pixabay

The ever-popular gardenia is an indoor plant with beautiful and fragrant white blossoms that find themselves in a tons of perfumes. The plant has been grown for almost 1000 years but has been proven a tricky plant. If you put in the effort, gardenias rewards you with a beautiful aroma and view.

Plant the gardenia in a large pot in a humus-rich, well-draining, moist, and acidic soil. The pH of the soil should be less than 6, so test when needed. Ensure the soil is rich and fertile by adding a good amount of organic matter like compost or buying a gardenia-specific soil mix.

The woody perennial needs bright indirect sunlight or partial shade. It is a tropical plant, so ensure the temperature remains between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The watering for gardenias needs to be consistent; too much or too little will cause growth issues. Check the soil before you water but don't let the it dry out completely.

Inhale Fragrant Beauty

A little effort and love are all you need to nurture your green thumb and become a pro-gardener. Whether you're an amateur or a connoisseur, a home that smells scintillating is always welcoming.

It feels wonderful to return home to a beautiful smelling and welcoming ambiance that will wash away your day's exhaustion and rejuvenate you!

Do you have any suggestions? If so, leave them in the comments below. Don't forget to share the article with your fellow fragrance enthusiasts.

Happy planting!