11 Flowers That Look Beautiful But Smell Terrible
We all know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” and in the garden, that couldn’t be more true. Some of the most stunning plants out there can take your breath away—until they actually do, but for all the wrong reasons. You’d think a flower that looks like a piece of art would smell just as sweet, right? Wrong. These sneaky beauties can leave your garden looking fantastic, but their scents will have you running the other way. If you’ve ever leaned in to admire a bloom only to regret it immediately, you know what I’m talking about. Let’s walk through 11 plants that are easy on the eyes but harsh on the nose. You might want to keep a little distance.
1. Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
Crown Imperial is a tall, showy flower with bold orange or yellow blooms that command attention. But don’t let its regal appearance fool you—the scent is more like skunky onions than royal perfume. Plant it too close to your patio, and you’ll be heading indoors faster than you can say “spring.”
2. Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Bradford Pear trees are famous for their stunning white blossoms in spring, but the smell is something else entirely. It’s like someone left a fish out in the sun for too long. Sure, it looks great from a distance, but get too close, and you’ll wish you hadn’t.
3. Carrion Flower (Stapelia gigantea)
The Carrion Flower’s star-shaped blooms look straight out of a botanical fantasy. But once the smell hits, you’ll be thinking twice about those exotic vibes—it reeks like a piece of forgotten meat. Perfect for the plant enthusiast with a sense of humor, but definitely not for the faint of heart.
4. Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
Red Valerian’s pink, red, or white clusters are a charming sight in any garden. However, that charm fades quickly when you catch a whiff of its musty, almost sour odor. It’s a classic case of “look but don’t sniff.”
5. Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus)
Paperwhites are lovely, delicate flowers often grown indoors during winter. But they come with an overwhelmingly strong, almost chemical smell that can take over a room. Keep them away from any place you actually want to relax.
6. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Known for its stunning, waxy white flowers, the Tuberose is a popular choice for bouquets. However, its heavy, sweet scent can quickly become overpowering, with some describing it as cloying or even sickly sweet. While beautiful, it’s a flower you might admire from a distance unless you love intense fragrances.
7. Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk Cabbage has a distinct, swampy charm, with large flowers that pop up early in the season. Unfortunately, its odor lives up to its name, smelling like—you guessed it—skunk. Not exactly a fragrance you want wafting across your yard.
8. Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)
With its tall, spiky purple flowers, the Globe Artichoke is a dramatic addition to any garden. But don’t get too close, because the earthy, almost sweaty smell will leave you wrinkling your nose. Great to look at, but best admired from a distance.
9. Voodoo Lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)
The Voodoo Lily is a dark, mysterious plant that looks like it belongs in a gothic fairytale. But when it blooms, the smell is more horror story than fairytale, mimicking the scent of rotting meat. It’s a great conversation piece—just be prepared for some wrinkled noses.
10. Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
Despite its lovely lime-green flowers, the Stinking Hellebore earns its name when the leaves are bruised or broken. That musky, almost sweaty smell is a rude awakening for anyone trying to prune it. It’s a plant with a “look, don’t touch” kind of vibe.
11. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
The Tree of Heaven grows fast and looks impressive with its large, feathery leaves. But don’t let the name fool you—the flowers emit a smell more like rancid peanut butter than anything heavenly. It’s a tree that grows where it wants and smells how it wants, with no apologies.
Tips to Consider for Your Fragrant Garden
Choosing fragrant plants for your garden can be a bit like picking out perfume—you want something pleasant, not overpowering. Trust me, I’ve seen gardens where a little too much “scent” turned into a lot of regret. The key is balance. Here are some tips to make sure you’re enjoying your fragrant plants, not running from them.
Think About Location – The closer a plant is to where you relax—like a patio or window—the more you’ll notice its scent. A soft fragrance near a sitting area can be lovely, but a strong one can feel like you’re sitting in the perfume aisle of a department store. Plant the potent ones further away, and keep the milder scents close.
Mind the Bloom Times – It’s easy to forget, but not all flowers bloom at the same time. If you want fragrance throughout the year, you’ll need a mix of plants that bloom in different seasons. Otherwise, you might find your garden either overwhelmingly fragrant for a few weeks or smelling like nothing at all for most of the year.
Know Your Nose – Everyone’s sense of smell is different. What smells heavenly to one person might make another wrinkle their nose. If you’re sensitive to strong fragrances, go for lighter scents like lavender or sweet peas. On the flip side, if you love bold scents, plants like gardenias or jasmine are your best bet.
Consider the Time of Day – Some flowers only release their fragrance at certain times. Night-blooming jasmine, for instance, fills the air with scent in the evening, while others may smell stronger in the morning. If you’re a night owl, plan for plants that shine after dark. Morning people can focus on daytime bloomers.
Don’t Overdo It – A garden full of fragrant plants sounds great in theory, but too many strong smells together can get overwhelming fast. It’s like mixing too many perfumes—you lose the individual charm, and everything starts to clash. Stick to a few key plants and spread them out.
Test It Before You Plant It – If you’re buying from a nursery, don’t be shy—take a sniff before you buy. Some flowers are notorious for looking sweet but smelling awful (I’m looking at you, Crown Imperial). Better to know now than after you’ve planted it next to your favorite lounge spot.
These tips can save you from making your garden a smelly science experiment. With the right mix, you’ll have a garden that smells as wonderful as it looks—without giving you a headache!
Linsay is an American copywriter based in the Pacific Northwest with a background in academic writing and research. Linsay holds Master's degree in both Anthropology and Library and Information Sciences and has written for numerous national and international publications including USA Today, SFGATE, Hunker, and The Bump across an array of topics in the gardening, green living, and travel sectors. When she's not writing, you'll usually find Linsay reading, kayaking, sailing, snowboarding, or working in her garden.