Flower Types

19 Fragrant White Flowers for Your Garden, From Jasmine to Lilac

Written by Petal Republic Editorial Team

Published Nov 27, 2023Updated Oct 20, 202610 min read

Nineteen white flowers worth growing for their scent, with zones, light, bloom season and pet-safety checks to narrow the list.

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In Short

Fragrant white flowers are some of our favorite plants for an evening garden, from jasmine and honeysuckle vines to lilac and mock orange shrubs. We love their scent after dark, but three of the 19 (gardenia, lily of the valley and clematis) are toxic to cats and dogs. Use the sorter to match your light, season and pets.

Grow gardenias outdoors only in Zones 7 to 11; in colder areas keep them as houseplants.
For winter scent, plant Armand clematis or Delavay tea olive, which both flower in winter and spring in Zones 7 to 9.

More Takeaways

Lily of the valley prefers partial to deep shade, while lilac needs a cold winter and Zones 3 to 7.
For scent late in the season, plant tuberose or white spider lily, which flower into fall.

Find Your Fragrant White Flower

Sort all 19 flowers by your light, plant type, bloom season, whether you want flowers to cut, and whether cats or dogs share your home. Plants that fit those conditions come first.

Your light

Plant type

Blooms in

You want

Cats or dogs?

All 19 fragrant white flowers, in page order. Answer any question to sort them.

Common Jasmine
Jasminum officinale
Zones 7 to 10
Safe for cats and dogs
Common Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
Zones 5 to 9
Not on the ASPCA lists
Mock Orange
Philadelphus coronarius
Zones 4 to 8
Not on the ASPCA lists
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Zones 3 to 9
Not on the ASPCA lists
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Zones 5 to 9
Not on the ASPCA lists
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Zones 3 to 7
Toxic to cats and dogs
Rose
Rosa
Zones 5 to 11
Safe for cats and dogs
Freesia
Freesia
Zones 9 to 10
Not on the ASPCA lists
Spider Lily
Lycoris
Zones 5 to 10
Toxic to cats and dogs
Armand Clematis
Clematis armandii
Zones 7 to 9
Toxic to cats and dogs
Singapore Graveyard Flower
Plumeria obtusa
Zones 10 to 12
Not on the ASPCA lists
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Zones 6 to 10
Not on the ASPCA lists
Common Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
Zones 7 to 11
Toxic to cats and dogs
Burkwood Viburnum
Viburnum x burkwoodii
Zones 4 to 8
Not on the ASPCA lists
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Zones 4 to 8
Not on the ASPCA lists
Brompton Stock
Matthiola incana
Zones 6 to 10
Not on the ASPCA lists
Tuberose
Polianthes tuberosa
Zones 8 to 10
Not on the ASPCA lists
Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Zones 3 to 7
Not on the ASPCA lists
Delavay Tea Olive
Osmanthus delavayi
Zones 7 to 9
Not on the ASPCA lists

Growing data from NC State Extension’s Plant Toolbox (Missouri Botanical Garden where NC State has no record); pet safety from the ASPCA’s plant lists. A blank means no record gave it; “not listed” is not the same as safe.

19 White Flowers That Smell Good

1) Jasmine

White jasmine (Jasminum) flowers with pink buds on a twining stem with pinnate leaves

Jasmine is a strongly fragrant flower. Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is an evergreen perennial vine native from Turkey through Iran and northern India to central China, hardy in Zones 7 to 10. Today jasmine is read as beauty, intimacy, and love, while the Victorian language of flowers gave it amiability.

Common and Botanical Names: Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
What do they smell like?: Jasmine fragrance is described as exotic, intoxicatingly rich, and sweet. It produces a thick scent that hangs in the air.
Peak season: Flowers from June through to August
Most fragrant varieties: Arabic Jasmine (Jasminum sambac), Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Spanish Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Victorian Meaning: Amiability
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, for the genus)

2) Honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) with white and cream tubular flowers among green leaves — Photo: Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Honeysuckles are a collection of climbing vines and shrubs with both summer and winter varieties. Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is native to Europe and North Africa and hardy in Zones 5 to 9. Today honeysuckle is read as affection, happiness, new or first loves, and nostalgia, while the Victorian language of flowers meant generous and devoted affection.

Common and Botanical Names: Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
What do they smell like?: The scent of honeysuckle smells heavy and sweet, with a thick fragrance and notes of fruit, honey, and vanilla.
Peak season: Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) flowers in spring.
Most fragrant varieties: Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) – “Scentsation”, “Sweet Sue”, Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
Victorian Meaning: Generous and devoted affection
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

3) Mock Orange

Mock orange shrub with clusters of white four-petaled flowers with yellow stamens and green leaves

Mock Oranges are a family of perennial deciduous flowering shrubs that grow in parts of America, Asia, and southern Europe. The white flowers resemble orange blossom, which gives mock orange its common name. Mock Orange bushes grow well in Zones 4 to 8. The syringa (Philadelphus lewisii), a mock orange, was designated Idaho's state flower by the legislature in 1931.

Common and Botanical Names: Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
What do they smell like?: Mock Orange has a sweet citrus aroma that is very similar to true orange trees.
Peak season: Flowers between May and July
Most fragrant varieties: Lewis’ Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii), Philadelphus “Virginal”, Philadelphus “White Rock”
Victorian Meaning: Counterfeit
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

4) Summersweet “Vanilla Spice”

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) with upright spikes of small white flowers among toothed green leaves — Photo: Sesamehoneytart, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Summersweet is a deciduous shrub that grows across eastern parts of North America in Zones 3 to 9. The “Vanilla Spice” variety is particularly pungent and popular, with showy spikes of creamy white flowers. Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) grows 5 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide and suits mixed borders.

Common and Botanical Names: Summersweet or Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra alnifolia)
What do they smell like?: Summersweet “Vanilla Spice” has a delicate, spicy aroma similar to vanilla pods
Peak season: The potent “Vanilla Spice” cultivar flowers in the middle of summer to the end of the season.
Most fragrant varieties: Summersweet “Vanilla Spice” (Clethra alnifolia)
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

5) Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum with rounded clusters of tiny white four-petaled flowers with green centers

Sweet alyssum is an annual or short-lived perennial that forms a mat of small white flowers. Sweet Alyssum is native to southern France and several Mediterranean islands but can be grown in Zones 5 to 9. Sweet alyssum meant worth beyond beauty in the Victorian language of flowers.

Common and Botanical Names: Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
What do they smell like?: Although small, Sweet Alyssum flowers can pack a strong, sweet honey-like aroma.
Peak season: Sweet Alyssum can flower in both early spring and summer as well as in fall.
Most fragrant varieties: Sweet Alyssum “Snowdrift”, Sweet Alyssum “Snow Crystals”, Sweet Alyssum “Snow Princess”
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

6) Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley with arching stems of small white bell-shaped flowers beside broad green leaves

Lily of the Valley is a beautiful perennial that produces a choir of white flowers that resemble bells. Lily of the Valley is native to Eurasia and grows in Zones 3 to 7. Although fragrant and lovely, the flowers are also toxic to humans and pets. Lily of the Valley is honored as the birth flower for May and symbolizes happiness, motherhood, and purity.

Common and Botanical Names: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
What do they smell like?: Sweet notes of lemon and a fresh scent sum up Lily of the Valley.
Peak season: Lily of the Valley flowers in late spring to early summer
Most fragrant varieties: Lily of the Valley “Albostriata”, Lily of the Valley “Hardwick Hall”
Victorian Meaning: Return of happiness
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA); low-severity poison

7) White Roses

White garden roses in full bloom on the bush against dark green foliage — Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

White roses are some of the most famous white flowers in horticulture. Roses grow as shrubs or climbing vines, and wild roses are native across the temperate and subtropical Northern Hemisphere, in North America, Europe, and Asia. Roses vary in hardiness by species, but the genus as a whole is hardy in Zones 5 to 11. Today white roses are read as innocence, peace, and purity, often used at weddings, while the Victorian language of flowers meant I am worthy of you.

Common and Botanical Names: White Roses (various Rosa species)
What do they smell like?: White roses are more delicate than other colors, with a musk carrying notes of lemon and violet.
Peak season: White roses usually bloom from late spring to summer and even into the fall.
Most fragrant varieties: White rose, “Margaret Merril”, White rose “Rambling Rector”, White rose “The Garland”
Victorian Meaning: I am worthy of you
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as rose)

8) Freesia

Freesia with pointed white trumpet flowers on slender stems among grass-like leaves, seen from low down

Freesias are herbaceous perennials grown from corms, native from Kenya south to South Africa. Freesias are hardy in Zones 9 to 10 and prefer mild, frost-free climates. Modern florists read their vibrant, funnel-like flowers as symbolizing innocence and purity. In general, modern florists also read freesias as symbolizing friendship.

Common and Botanical Names: Freesia (Various species)
What do they smell like?: Most freesia varieties have floral, fruity fragrances similar to strawberries, along with hints of mint or honey.
Peak season: Freesias typically flower between the start of summer and early fall.
Most fragrant varieties: Milky White Freesia (Freesia lactea), Freesia “White”, Freesia “White River”
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

9) Spider Lily

Spider lily with one white flower with long thin curling petals and orange anthers above strap-like green leaves

White spider lilies are part of the Lycoris genus of perennial bulb flowers with upright stems. The white spider lily (Lycoris x albiflora) grows in Japan, and the genus is grown in Zones 5 to 10. These delicately fragrant flowers have curling white lashes and splayed flowerheads.

Modern florists read white spider lilies as representing beauty, protection, purity, and rebirth, and they are popular as cut flowers for display.

Common and Botanical Names: White Spider Lily (Lycoris albiflora)
What do they smell like?: A gentle, delicate fragrance heralds the arrival of white spider lilies.
Peak season: White spider lilies flower in fall.
Pet Safety: Poisonous if eaten, low severity

10) Clematis

Clematis with loose clusters of small white four-petaled flowers, pale stamens and round green buds

Clematis are mostly woody or herbaceous climbing perennials in the buttercup family. Armand clematis (Clematis armandii), the evergreen one grown for scent, is native from central and south China to Burma and hardy in Zones 7 to 9. Today clematis is read as aspiration, ingenuity, and wisdom, while the Victorian language of flowers meant mental beauty.

Most species grown in the Northern Hemisphere are deciduous or herbaceous. These versatile plants are easy to grow and can suit most types of gardens.

Common and Botanical Names: Clematis (Various species)
What do they smell like?: Clematis flowers give off a subtle fragrance that smells like almonds.
Peak season: Armand clematis (Clematis armandii) flowers in winter and spring.
Most fragrant varieties: Armand clematis (Clematis armandii), Clematis x cartmanii “Avalanche”, Clematis “White Columbine”
Victorian Meaning: Mental beauty
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, for the genus); high-severity poison

11) Plumeria

Plumeria with a cluster of white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers above long green leaves

Plumerias are deciduous trees or shrubs native to the Caribbean and Central America. They thrive in the warmer temperatures of Zones 10 to 12.

Modern florists read plumeria blooms as representing beauty, health, love, and purity.

Common and Botanical Names: Frangipani, various Plumeria species
What do they smell like?: Thick, intoxicatingly sweet scents are common to Plumerias. Notes vary from citrus and fruity scents to fragrances of spice.
Peak season: Plumeria species bloom from late spring, throughout the height of summer, and into the fall.
Most fragrant varieties: Singapore graveyard flower (Plumeria obtusa), White frangipani (Plumeria pudica)
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

12) Magnolia

Magnolia branch with several open white flowers with broad petals on bare brown twigs and a few new leaves

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is native to the southeastern coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida and Texas and is hardy in Zones 6 to 10. Beloved for their large, thick flowers, magnolia flowers symbolize dignity and purity. Both Louisiana and Mississippi have adopted magnolias as their state flower.

Common and Botanical Names: Magnolia (Various species)
What do they smell like?: Powerful flora aromas of fruits are common to Magnolias, although some varieties may have notes of spice as well.
Peak season: Magnolias usually flower from spring to the end of summer.
Most fragrant varieties: Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Magnolia sieboldii “Colossus”, Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Victorian Meaning: Love of nature
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs

13) Gardenia

Gardenia with a single creamy white double flower surrounded by large glossy green leaves

Gardenias belong to the coffee family (Rubiaceae), and the cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) originated along stream banks in southern China and Japan. Gardenias are grown as houseplants or as evergreen shrubs outdoors in Zones 7 to 11. Today gardenia is read as clarity, hope, and trust, while the Victorian language of flowers meant I'm too happy, as the cape jasmine. Modern florists also read them as representing intuition and self-reflection.

Common and Botanical Names: Common Gardenia aka Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
What do they smell like?: Gardenias give off a rich, heady aroma with citrus, coconut, and spice notes.
Peak season: Gardenias flower between mid to late spring and continue into the fall.
Most fragrant varieties: Gardenia jasminoides “Aimee”, Gardenia jasminoides “Chuck Hayes”
Victorian Meaning: I'm too happy (as cape jasmine)
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as cape jasmine); low-severity poison

14) Viburnum

Viburnum shrub with round snowball-like clusters of creamy white flowers among lobed green leaves in sunlight

Viburnums are deciduous or evergreen perennial shrubs that grow in Zones 4 to 8 across the Northern Hemisphere. Some hardy shrubs can flower in winter, while most emerge in spring and summer. Viburnums are shrubs grown for clusters of small white flowers and fall berries. Modern florists read viburnum flowers as symbolizing calmness, innocence, pride, and purity.

Common and Botanical Names: Viburnum (various species)
What do they smell like?: Viburnums have a sweet, sophisticated scent that carries a slight note of vanilla.
Peak season: Most Viburnum varieties flower in the spring and summer into the fall, although some species can flower during winter.
Most fragrant varieties: Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum)
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as black haw)

15) Phlox

Phlox with a rounded head of white five-petaled flowers and buds, with a striped hoverfly on one bloom

Phlox is a versatile group of herbaceous flowers in annual and perennial varieties of different sizes. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a North American native perennial hardy in Zones 4 to 8. Famed for its intense colors, Phlox also produces a beautiful fragrance.

Today phlox is read as agreements, harmony, sweet dreams, and unity, while the Victorian language of flowers meant unanimity.

Common and Botanical Names: Phlox (Various species)
What do they smell like?: White phlox flowers produce a subtle almond or vanilla scent with hints of honey or clove.
Peak season: Most phlox varieties flower from late spring to the end of summer.
Most fragrant varieties: Carolina Phlox “Miss Lingard” (Phlox carolina), Garden Phlox “Danielle” (Phlox paniculata), Garden Phlox “David” (Phlox paniculata)
Victorian Meaning: Unanimity
Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs

16) Stock

White stock (Matthiola incana) with dense spikes of white flowers

Stock (Matthiola incana) is a herbaceous perennial often grown as a biennial or an annual, with clove-scented flowers that cut well. These plants grow in parts of the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. Stock grows in Zones 6 to 10 but declines above 80°F, so it is best used as an annual in the South. Stock meant lasting beauty in the Victorian language of flowers.

Common and Botanical Names: Brompton or Hoary Stock (Matthiola incana)
What do they smell like?: Stock annuals produce a heady, sweet scent with notes of spices such as cloves.
Peak season: Stock flowers in spring and summer.
Most fragrant varieties: Matthiola incana “Alba”, Matthiola incana “Pillow Talk”
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

17) Tuberose

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) with tall spikes of white tubular flowers

Tuberose is a herbaceous perennial native to Mexico that grows from a tuber resembling a bulb. Tuberose now grows in other tropical areas, including Zones 8 to 10. In the Victorian language of flowers, the tuberose meant dangerous pleasures.

Common and Botanical Names: Tuberose (Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa)
What do they smell like?: Tuberose is admired for its thick, sweet fragrance with creamy notes of beeswax or peach.
Peak season: Tuberose flowers from mid-summer into early fall.
Most fragrant varieties: Polianthes tuberosa “The Pearl”
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

18) Lilac

Lilac with dense white flower clusters on a branch with light green leaves against a pale blue sky

Planted as scented shrubs or small trees, lilacs are hardy perennials related to olive trees. Lilac comes from parts of Asia and southern Europe and can be grown in Zones 3 to 7. A purple lilac meant the first emotions of love in the Victorian language of flowers. A white lilac meant youthful innocence in the Victorian language of flowers.

Common and Botanical Names: Lilac (Various Syringa species)
What do they smell like?: Lilacs produce a cloying, thick, sweet scent with suggestions of vanilla.
Peak season: Common lilac flowers in mid to late spring.
Most fragrant varieties: Himalayan lilac (Syringa emodi “Aureovariegata”), Syringa vulgaris “Madame Florent Stepman”, Syringa vulgaris “Vestale”
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

19) Osmanthus

Osmanthus shrub with small clusters of tiny cream-white flowers among dark green leaves and a few yellow leaves

An osmanthus is a group of evergreen flowering shrubs and trees native to parts of Asia, such as China and Japan. Delavay tea olive (Osmanthus delavayi) is hardy in Zones 7 to 9, and fragrant tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) is hardy in Zones 8 to 11. Several varieties flower during different seasons.

Osmanthus is also called tea olive, and the name comes from the Greek words for fragrant flower.

Common and Botanical Names: Osmanthus (Various species)
What do they smell like?: Osmanthus flowers have an alluring fruity smell, similar to apricot or peach.
Peak season: Most Osmanthus varieties bloom during the spring, with some species flowering in winter.
Most fragrant varieties: Osmanthus delavayi, Osmanthus suavis, Osmanthus yunnanensis
Pet Safety: Not on the ASPCA’s cat and dog lists

Choosing a Fragrant White Flower

Start with your zone and how much light the spot gets. Check each plant's pet safety before planting where cats or dogs roam, and plant where the scent can drift past a door or window.

For more flower color guides, see our guides to fragrant purple flowers and fragrant yellow flowers.

Questions and Answers

Which white flowers smell strongest at night?

Honeysuckle has the clearest night scent among the white flowers covered here. Its floral fragrance is more noticeable after dark and attracts moths as its native pollinators. Evening stock is also strongly fragrant at night, though it is a sprawling annual and not one of the nineteen flowers featured.

Is star jasmine a true jasmine?

No. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is an evergreen perennial vine in the dogbane family, not a member of the jasmine genus. Its flowers are fragrant like jasmine. The common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is in the olive family, and the two are often confused because both are called jasmine.

Which tree has white flowers that smell bad?

Callery pear has white flowers with an objectionable, foul smell. It blooms early in spring and is covered with white flowers; it was introduced from Asia and is invasive in North Carolina. Chinese privet, a white-flowered shrub, is another plant with foul-smelling flowers that many people find offensive, and it is best kept out of gardens.

Sources22 sources, linked in the text

Updates and CorrectionsOct 19, 2026 · 6 corrected, 1 removed

Oct 19, 2026

Added: A sorter of all 19 by light, plant type, bloom season, cut use and pet safety, and an ASPCA pet-safety row on every entry.
Added: The Victorian meaning of nine of the flowers, from Greenaway's 1884 dictionary, beside today's readings.
Corrected: One statement about the official flower now follows the statute or official source.
Corrected: 13 unsourced figures (zones, counts, sizes or dates) were corrected to a source or removed.
Corrected: One statement about where a plant grows wild now follows the sources.
Corrected: Several hardiness zones and native ranges did not match NC State Extension's plant records; each now gives the record's range.
Corrected: The tuberose entry gave an old botanical name only. It is now Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa.
Removed: Unsourced health claims for mock orange and alyssum, a claim about bats, and a Pakistan national-flower claim we could not confirm.
Corrected: Five entry photos showed the wrong plant (jasmine, honeysuckle, summersweet, white roses and tuberose) or silk flowers, and the stock photo showed dame's rocket; each is replaced with a photo of the right plant.