Key Takeaways:
- Gardenia flowers smell earthy, light, and creamy.
- The smell of gardenia pairs well with vanilla and coconut, found in Spray Tan by Snif.
When you’re looking for a new floral scent, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of all the various floral notes. That’s why we’re going to take a close look at the scent profile of gardenia in this guide.
You’ll learn all about where this floral fragrance, often associated with South Carolina and Southern charm, comes from, what it smells like, and the scents it pairs well with.
What Is Gardenia?
Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) are flowering evergreen plants native to Southeast Asia. They look like short shrubs with glossy leaves and produce large white flowers as well as small fruits.
The blossoms of the gardenia plant can be yellow or white and tend to gradually become more yellow over time as they open throughout the summer and fall. The yellowing of the gardenia flower happens as the aromatic droplets (that are the key to its distinct smell!) accumulate on the buds.
If you have a gardenia plant and are hoping to get a whiff of its sweet, intoxicating smell, you’ll have to stay up late — gardenia blooms are more fragrant at night. These flowers reach their peak scent at night to attract nocturnal pollinators.
The first documented evidence of gardenias comes from illustrations from the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279 AD). Gardeias were beloved for their appearance, fragrance, and medicinal utility. In Chinese medicine, gardenia (zhi-zi) was used to ward off disease, promote blood circulation, and cool the body down.
Although gardenias are native to this part of the world as well as Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and India, Dr. Alexander Garden, a Scottish botanist and physician who researched plants in South Carolina, introduced them to the United States in the 18th century.
Thanks to his introduction, these floral plants are now emblematic of the landscape of the American South.
What Does Gardenia Smell Like?
Now that you know all about the gardenia plant and its origins, it’s time to get to the fun part: the smell. In this section, we’ll break down the three main components of the gardenia smell so that you know what to expect if you try out a fragrance with this ingredient.
Floral
First and foremost, gardenia is a floral smell. Unlike other florals defined by their lightness, gardenia has a rich aroma that’s still refreshing but has an unmistakable depth.
Often compared to jasmine and ylang ylang, the smell of gardenia is distinctive and powerful, making it a favorite ingredient among perfumers.
Creamy
Along with its floral notes, gardenia also has a luxurious creaminess. Sweet and almost coconut-like, the creamy side of gardenia makes it a more complex floral note. Along with subtle coconut notes, some people also get a slightly peachy smell from gardenia.
Earthy
The earthy side of gardenia rounds out the scent profile. This comes from indole, an aroma molecule that balances out the sweetness of gardenia and gives it depth.
What Scents Pair Well With Gardenia?
Once you’re hooked on the smell of gardenia, you’ll start to wonder about what it pairs well with. This section will break down some of the best fragrances to pair with gardenia, as well as a Snif body mist that features this luxurious floral smell.
Coconut
Given that gardenia has a natural coconut note, it pairs well with a proper coconut accord. Blending coconut with gardenia draws out the sweetness of this floral and makes it irresistibly rich.
Vanilla
Another way to emphasize gardenia's sweetness is to pair it with vanilla. When combined with vanilla, gardenia takes on a gourmand character that is evocative and sweet without being overwhelming.
To get a whiff of this unbeatable scent duo, check out our Spray Tan Body Mist. This body mist combines tanning oil accord, monoi, carrot, banana flower, tiger lily, and Tahitian vanilla. The result is a sun-drenched, summer scent that you can spray on at any time of year to tune into your beachiest vibe (no sand or surfboards needed).
Given that this fragrance comes in the form of a body mist, it has a light concentration that you can spritz on your body, clothes, and hair to give you a summery smell that’s subtly sweet.
Into the Garden(ia)
You’re officially a gardenia expert, which means you’re ready to get out there and start trying fragrances that make use of this creamy, earthy floral. Lean into its sweeter side and take the magic of a Southern garden with you wherever you go.
FAQs
How are gardenia and geranium different?
Although the names gardenia and geranium sound similar, these two florals are distinct. Gardenias are flowering shrubs with large, white flowers that are incredibly fragrant. Native to warm-weather regions, gardenias can’t survive cold temperatures and need a tropical or sub-tropical climate to survive.
Geraniums, on the other hand, are a diverse group of perennials. Usually, they have smaller, star-shaped flowers and have a wide range of scents. “True” geraniums thrive in colder climates and can even survive frost.
What scents are similar to gardenia?
The scents that are most similar to gardenia are other white floral fragrances with a creamy, sweet essence. Floral scents like plumeria, jasmine, tuberose, and magnolia are all similar to gardenia, with magnolia’s scent profile being the most similar.
Sources:
Song dynasty (960–1279) | Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Alexander Garden - History of Early American Landscape Design | National Gallery of Art
Analysis of Volatile Components of Jasmine and Jasmine Tea during Scenting Process | NIH