A Guide to Flowers That Bloom at Night

15 Jan

While most flowers open their petals during the day to soak up the sunlight, there’s a fascinating group of plants that bloom only when the sun sets and the moon rises. These flowers, known as nocturnal bloomers, have evolved to open their petals at night as a strategy to attract specific nighttime pollinators like moths, bats, and certain types of beetles. The fragrance and color of these flowers are also adapted to be more noticeable under the low light of dusk and night.

In this florist’s guide, we'll explore some of the most captivating flowers that bloom at night, their unique features, and the reasons behind their nocturnal behavior.

1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

Blooming Time: Evening to Early Morning

Appearance: The Moonflower is a large, white, funnel-shaped bloom that unfurls in the evening, resembling a glowing beacon in the night. Its petals are smooth and delicate, and they can reach up to 6 inches in diameter.
Scent: A sweet, strong fragrance is released at night to attract moths.
Pollinators: Moths, primarily the large sphinx moth.
Why Night Blooming: Moonflowers bloom at night because their primary pollinators, moths, are nocturnal. The bright, white flowers help moths find the plant in the dark.

2. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)

Blooming Time: Night (From dusk until midnight)

Appearance: A small shrub with clusters of tubular flowers that are pale green or yellowish-white in color. While not visually striking during the day, its fragrance is its primary allure.
Scent: Intensely sweet, with a strong, heady aroma that spreads over a large distance.
Pollinators: Moths and other nocturnal insects.
Why Night Blooming: Night-Blooming Jasmine releases its scent at night to attract pollinators that are active in the evening, particularly moths, which are drawn to its fragrance.

3. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Blooming Time: Late Afternoon to Night

Appearance: The Evening Primrose features bright yellow, four-petaled flowers that open in the evening, often before dusk, and remain open until the morning.
Scent: Lightly sweet with a subtle citrusy note.
Pollinators: Nocturnal bees, moths, and some beetles.
Why Night Blooming: These flowers open late to attract nocturnal pollinators that are attracted to the fragrance. Evening Primrose is often found in wild meadows, where it blooms to take advantage of the cooler evening air.

4. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

Blooming Time: Night (Late Evening to Early Morning)

Appearance: The Tuberose has tall spikes of tubular, white flowers that open at night. It’s often used in perfumes due to its strong, intoxicating fragrance.
Scent: A sweet, rich, and heady floral aroma, which intensifies in the evening.
Pollinators: Moths, particularly the hawk moth.
Why Night Blooming: Tuberoses bloom at night to release their fragrance to moths and other nocturnal pollinators. Its striking white color stands out under moonlight, helping moths find it more easily.

5. Cactus Flowers (Various Species, including Night-Blooming Cereus)

Blooming Time: Night (Typically only once a year)

Appearance: Many cactus species, such as the Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus), have large, dramatic flowers that open only during the night. The flowers are often white or pale in color.
Scent: Sweet and often intense.
Pollinators: Bats, nocturnal beetles, and moths.
Why Night Blooming: Cactus flowers bloom at night to attract pollinators like bats, which are drawn to the large, fragrant blooms in the cool desert air. The flowers are often delicate and short-lived, blooming only for a few hours each year.

6. Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata)

Blooming Time: Evening to Night

Appearance: This flower has yellow petals and a brownish center, which gives it a chocolate-like appearance.
Scent: The flower has an aroma that resembles chocolate, making it particularly unique.
Pollinators: Moths and other nighttime pollinators.
Why Night Blooming: The unique scent helps the flower attract pollinators that are active during the night, such as moths. The chocolate-like aroma is especially potent in the evening.

7. Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

Blooming Time: Late Afternoon to Night

Appearance: Four O'Clocks have funnel-shaped flowers that come in a range of colors, including pink, white, yellow, and purple. The blooms open in the late afternoon and close by morning.
Scent: A sweet, pleasant fragrance, which is more noticeable at night.
Pollinators: Moths, particularly sphinx moths.
Why Night Blooming: These flowers open in the late afternoon to evening to ensure they attract pollinators before dawn. Their fragrance is strongest at night, aiding in the attraction of nocturnal insects.

8. Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)

Blooming Time: Night (Typically only for a few days per year)

Appearance: The Ghost Orchid is a rare, white, delicate flower with long, slender petals that give it an ethereal appearance.
Scent: Light and faintly sweet, it is barely perceptible but carries an exotic and enchanting quality.
Pollinators: Moths, especially the giant sphinx moth.
Why Night Blooming: Ghost Orchids are pollinated by moths that are attracted to their scent in the dark. The plant has evolved to bloom at night to coincide with the nocturnal habits of its primary pollinators.

9. Jasmine (Jasminum species)