Top 15 Most Beautiful Night-Blooming Flowers

Moonflower, also known as Ipomoea alba, is a stunning flower that blooms under the cover of night. Not only does it bloom at dusk, but it also radiates a mystical light in the dark. Found in tropical and subtropical regions, from southern Argentina to Mexico and Florida, the moonflower is a perennial vine that can grow up to 30 meters. Its sap is often used in the production of rubber.

During the day, the petals are closed, but as dusk falls, they slowly begin to open and fully unfurl when the last remnants of daylight disappear. The petals are round and pure, glowing softly like the moon itself in the night sky. As it blooms, the flower emits a calming blue light, offering relief from the tropical heat. Its delicate fragrance attracts many nocturnal butterflies.

However, as the sun rises and daylight begins to break, the petals close, marking the end of the moonflower’s ethereal beauty. For those not accustomed to staying up late, it may be difficult to witness the stunning sight of the moonflower in full bloom. Nonetheless, this flower remains a favorite among gardeners, often cultivated as an ornamental plant.

For flower enthusiasts, especially those who adore blooms that open only at night, the primrose is a must-mention. Also known as "turbe terrae" due to its white, turnip-like roots, this flower hails from temperate regions. Primrose is not just an ornamental beauty; its roots are used to create ointments for scars, especially smallpox scars, and the plant is known for its health benefits, promoting recovery and vitality.

Some varieties of primrose only bloom after nightfall. Its delicate blossoms remain closed while the sun is still shining, much like the moonflower. When it blooms, it radiates a soft, luminous glow, a sight many people cherish as it offers peace and relaxation after a long, busy day. These night-blooming primroses often symbolize a quiet and hidden love.

The jasmine plant is a vibrant shrub that thrives with its lush green color, originating from the West Indies and South Asia. Known by two names, Night Jessamine and Night Cestrum, this plant grows well in moist, sandy soil and can reach heights between 1.8 and 4 meters when in bloom.

This variety of jasmine flourishes in warm weather. Its flowers, which are greenish-white tubular blooms, only appear at night. These delicate flowers emit a sweet fragrance, though the plant contains toxic substances. Therefore, if you decide to grow jasmine, make sure to plant it in safe locations where children can't reach it.

The scientific name of this flower is ‘Mirabilis Jalapa’, commonly known as the Four O'Clock Flower. It is named so because it only blooms late in the evening and wilts by dawn. The Four O'Clock Flowers come in various colors such as red, pink, yellow, blue, and white. They are also considered among the flowers with the most pleasant fragrance.

In Vietnam, this flower is also known as the phấn or yên chi flower. True to its name, the flower blooms at night and lasts until the next morning. Yên chi flowers come in vibrant colors including red, pink, blue, white, and yellow. This flower is one of the most fragrant in the world.

Night-Blooming Jasmine is a flower that blooms at night and belongs to the nightshade family, originating from the West Indies. Its yellow-green flowers release a strong fragrance in the evening, but they also contain toxic components.

The plant has long branches and twigs, with alternate, light green, smooth leaves and short petioles. The small yellow-green flowers gather in clusters at the branch tips or leaf axils, emitting a sweet fragrance at night. However, due to its toxic properties, it's important to plant this flower in safe areas where children cannot reach it.

Star Fruit Cactus is celebrated as the most beautiful among all cactus flowers. It features creamy white petals that are approximately 15 cm in diameter. This flower attracts moths for pollination, and its nectar is considered a 'nectar of the gods' by bats.

What makes this flower unique is that it only blooms once a year, typically between June and July. The Star Fruit Cactus Flower opens at night and its fragrance lingers until the next morning. Remarkably, this flower will not bloom again until the following year.

The scientific name of this Chocolate Flower is Berlandiera Lyrata. It blooms at night and is mostly found in grassy areas and limestone soils in the United States. It is renowned for its chocolate-like scent, which matches its name. The chocolate flower blossoms from mid-spring until the end of summer, and of course, only at night.

If you plant this flower in your garden, you will surely be overwhelmed by the cocoa fragrance filling the air when you wake up in the morning.

Lilies, known as "hoa huệ" in Vietnamese, are flowers that grow on herbaceous stems with layered buds measuring 20-30cm in length. These white blooms are incredibly fragrant, with their captivating scent inspiring many renowned perfumes worldwide.

Unlike many daytime flowers, lilies have a distinct petal structure. When the air's humidity rises, the stomata (pores) on their petals open, releasing their perfume. At night, the absence of sunlight and the higher humidity cause the stomata to open even more, intensifying the fragrance. This is why lilies emit a mild scent during the day but release a much stronger fragrance at night.

As lilies' fragrance is influenced by humidity, you'll notice that even on rainy days, when the air is more humid, their scent is stronger than on dry, sunny days. That's why lilies are sometimes referred to as "dạ lai hương" (night fragrance) or "vũ lai hương" (fragrance during rain).

The reason lilies tend to bloom at night is simple: they rely on nocturnal moths for pollination. Over generations, lilies have adapted to this pattern, shifting their blooming time to match their primary pollinators.

The Glory Flower is a vigorous, woody vine known for its rapid growth. It can climb to over 5 meters in height and stretch for several meters. Its stems branch out into small, slender, and flexible shoots, making it ideal for wrapping around supports. It does not cling to walls but instead climbs and coils around objects.

The flowers of the Glory Flower bloom in clusters at the leaf axils. A single cluster can be quite large and droop down gracefully. The flowers come in both single and double petal varieties. The single-petaled flowers have five petals that spread out like a star. The buds are tubular and unfurl as they bloom. Initially white, the flowers gradually turn to a soft pinkish-red color. The double-petaled variety has petals that twist slightly, and the number of petals is greater.

This plant is a frequent bloomer, with successive waves of flowers appearing one after another. The clusters of flowers hang down gently, releasing a sweet fragrance, especially potent at night. The more sunlight it receives, the more flowers it produces. During the rainy season, it produces fewer flowers but focuses on growing more branches and leaves instead.

Belonging to the jasmine family, the climbing jasmine does not grow as a woody shrub like its relatives, the common jasmine or the Spanish jasmine, but instead climbs on trellises. Each flower has a diameter of 1.5-2 cm and blooms in clusters with 6-8 elongated or pointed petals. This plant flowers throughout the year, releasing a delightful fragrance especially at night.

What makes jasmine particularly unique is its habit of blooming at night, much like the queen of the night flower. Regardless of its origin, jasmine is captivating to all with its pure, delicate beauty and enticing fragrance. It is a popular choice for gardeners who wish to cultivate it in their home gardens.

Night jasmine is a small, upright shrub that typically reaches a height of 1 to 2 meters, although its growth may be restricted when grown in pots. Its most notable feature is its relatively soft branches, which tend to droop easily. The leaves are spear-shaped and a soft jade green, while the flowers bloom in a pointed cluster resembling small rockets. The blooms are either white with a hint of blue or a pale yellow-green, and they are highly fragrant.

Many people enjoy growing night jasmine because it blooms at night and releases clusters of flowers. Its fragrance is particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes.

The Square Bang Tree flowers typically bloom at the beginning of the year, only at night, and fade away after one night. The most beautiful time to see them is between 8:00 and 10:00 PM, with their gentle fragrance complementing the spring weather.

The blooming season of the Square Bang Tree starts around February and lasts until the end of July according to the lunar calendar. As the last rays of sunlight dip behind Mount Thới Lới, the first flowers begin to open. The scent of the flowers, carried by the sea breeze, spreads everywhere, creating a sweet and captivating aroma.

The delicate beauty of the Queen of the Night flowers, with their pure white petals, is undeniable. These flowers belong to the cactus family and are commonly found in Mexico and southern Arizona. What makes them even more special is that they only bloom once a year, typically in June or July. Various types of Queen of the Night flowers exist worldwide, each with blossoms around 15 cm in diameter. When they bloom, they emit a refreshing fragrance that lingers until the early morning hours. After a single night of blooming, their pristine petals gradually wilt, and no other flowers will bloom for another year.

Admiring the Queen of the Night is a refined pleasure. In the past, when people knew the flowers were about to bloom, they would invite friends over to wait for the petals to open, gathering together with warm tea in hand. This peaceful, humble moment was a lovely tradition. For the kind-hearted people of Vietnam, the Queen of the Night flower symbolizes purity, innocence, and the fleeting beauty of youth. Like the white petals that shine brightly in the night, its fragrance gently fades with the first light of dawn.

The Night Orchid (scientific name: Nocturnum Bulbophyllum) is a delicate, slender flower belonging to the Bulbophyllum family, the largest group in the orchid family. This unique flower was discovered on New Britain, an island near Papua New Guinea. Unlike other orchids that bloom during the day, the Nocturnum Bulbophyllum only displays its beauty at night. Each bloom lasts only one night, and the next bloom will appear the following evening. These small, graceful flowers gently unfurl their petals, filling the air with a sweet fragrance that evokes a sense of peaceful tranquility.

Another orchid in the night-blooming category is the Epiphytic Night Orchid, which also exhibits an ethereal beauty. The flowers of this species only open at night and thrive in warm climates, particularly in South America. With its soft, white petals, this flower creates a striking image against the backdrop of the dark night, resembling angel wings that embellish nature's beauty.

The water lily is commonly found in swamps and ponds, with a very unique appearance. Its leaves are round, varying in size depending on the species, and some have a distinct V-shaped groove at the leaf stem.

The water lily flowers are symmetrical and round, with soft, soothing colors and golden stamens that create a serene contrast against the pond. There are two main types of water lilies: cold-resistant and heat-tolerant. While cold-loving varieties bloom during the day, those adapted to warmer, humid climates bloom exclusively at night. These night-blooming varieties are the only ones to feature delicate blue-tinted petals.

Take a moment to admire the exquisite beauty of these night-blooming water lilies below!