Here are the best scented succulents that smell like perfume and bring a calm appeal to your home’s coziest corners.
Did you know that apart from your gorgeous perfumes, succulents can also be fragrant? Many people find it surprising that succulents carry such adorable and delightful scents. You’ll be amazed to know how common they actually are—read ahead to see for yourself!
Scented Succulents That Smell Like Perfume
Here is a tip: Fragrant succulents smell stronger when kept in warm, sunny spots, especially near windows where the air circulates. Evening hours are when their fragrance often feels the most noticeable.
1. Cliff Cotyledon
Botanical Name: Cotyledon pendens Van Jaarsv.
Cliff Cotyledon gives a delicate fragrance like lemon oil. Its scent multiplies in the sun. This trailing succulent shows off elliptical leaves that often blush with a gorgeous reddish hue at the tips. With its signature lemony whiff, Cotyledon Pendens becomes a perfect pick for indoor hanging baskets.
2. Ice Plant
Botanical Name: Mesembryanthemum
Also known as mimicry plants, Mesembryanthemum species are small, stout succulents that look like rocks and stones. They resemble little cleft pebbles and appear in shades of gray, green, pink, and other earthy tones. Their flowers, though large compared to the plant, surprise with bright colors and a sweet fragrance.
Some ice plants bloom so profusely that their scent drifts across the garden—just the thing for lining outdoor pathways.
3. String of Pearls
Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus
String of pearls cascades downward, dotted with bead-like green leaves. Its flowers carry a cinnamon fragrance. Another cousin, Senecio kleiniiformis, produces lemon-scented yellow blooms, making this family a fragrant delight.
Care tip: Their flowers bloom more when given a short cool rest in winter, so don’t keep them too warm all year.
4. Stonecrop
Botanical Name: Sedum
Sedums bring a refreshing fruity fragrance, almost like a bowl of fruity breakfast cereal. This makes them a favorite for fragrance lovers. Their forms range from rosettes to trailing stems, but all reward you with clusters of brightly colored blooms.
5. Echeveria Elegans Raspberry Ice
Botanical Name: Echeveria Elegans
Echeveria feels straight out of a fairy tale, forming tight pastel rosettes that could steal the spotlight in any corner. This beauty blooms with flowers that smell like vanilla ice cream. Isn’t that enough to tempt you into stocking up on vanilla perfumes and wearing them with pride?
While the flowers smell amazing, many growers prefer to snip them off early to keep the rosette compact—so it’s your call whether you want the look or the fragrance!
6. Mini Blue Chalk Sticks
Botanical Name: Senecio serpens
Mini Blue Chalk Sticks, also called Curio repens, give off a nostalgic pine-resin fragrance. Paired with other scented succulents, its aroma blends in beautifully, leaving your guests wide-eyed in wonder.
7. Hoya (Wax Plant)
Botanical Name: Hoya carnosa
Hoya, often called the wax plant, is technically a succulent because of its thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Its star-shaped clusters of flowers smell sweet and candy-like, especially in the evenings.
The fragrance ranges from chocolate-vanilla to honey, depending on the variety. With its glossy vines and irresistible scent, it’s a must-have for anyone who loves both beauty and fragrance indoors.
Care Tip: Hoyas bloom best when slightly root-bound, so don’t rush to repot them too often.
8. Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula
Most Crassula species have flat, fuzzy, gray to gray-green leaves. They bloom with tiny clusters of pink to yellow flowers that release a honey-sweet aroma. C. fascicularis and C. falcata are especially fragrant, while Crassula muscosa surprises with a strong scent from its almost invisible blooms.
In Feng Shui, jade plants are also called “money plants” and are believed to attract prosperity—so here’s a case of wealth and fragrance walking hand in hand.
9. Easter Lily Cactus
Botanical Name: Echinopsis
The Echinopsis family has plenty of fragrant stars. The Easter Lily cactus carries lily-like blooms, while the Hedgehog and Sea Urchin cactus fill the air with their strong scents. E. viridiflorus smells citrusy, while E. subdenudata offers a fresh cilantro-like note—talk about a mixed bag of aromas!
10. Tree Houseleek
Botanical Name: Aeonium ‘Lily Pad’
Aeonium ‘Lily Pad’ is a distinct succulent that offers a gentle fragrance unlike the bold notes of other Aeoniums. It leans toward a fruity aroma with a delicate floral hint, creating a lovely blend of fruit and flower in every whiff.
Care tip: These are winter growers, so they smell their best and look most vibrant when the weather cools down.
Which beauty are you picking next to not only revamp your home but also bring the woods, bakery, and fruits to your corners? We can keep a secret!
