10 Night-Blooming Flowers to Attract Fireflies

Lately, I’ve noticed more fireflies glimmering in my garden as dusk settles in, their soft lights weaving through the plants like tiny stars. It’s a sight that brings back the magic of summer nights, and I find myself wondering how to bring even more of these enchanting creatures into my backyard. After some digging (literally and figuratively), I discovered that certain night-blooming flowers create the perfect environment for fireflies. I’ve been gathering plants that bloom in the evening, casting fragrance and color into the dark hours. These are my top picks, each one bringing a unique charm and nighttime appeal to the garden.

Quickly Find Flowers For Fireflies:

1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

Moonflower is, without a doubt, the queen of the night garden. Its large, pure white flowers unfurl as the day ends, creating a dazzling show as the moon rises. As dusk settles, these glowing blooms transform the garden, their broad petals catching the moonlight in a way that almost makes them shine. The flowers are also wonderfully fragrant, emitting a gentle, sweet aroma that floats softly on the evening breeze, which I find both calming and uplifting.

For the best results, I’ve planted moonflowers along a trellis where they can climb and drape, creating an ethereal curtain of white blooms. Moonflowers thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, so they need plenty of light during the day to prepare for their night show. Once established, they require only a little care but reward with blooms that make an evening garden feel truly otherworldly. I’ve noticed fireflies flitting near these blooms, adding to the charm and creating a magical, starry effect in my backyard.

2. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Evening Primrose brings a gentle, sunny warmth to the night garden with its cheerful, yellow blooms that open as the day fades. Every evening, as the sky darkens, the primrose unfurls, filling the air with a subtle, honey-like fragrance that invites all sorts of nocturnal insects. This plant’s bright color even shows up in low light, adding a soft glow that’s welcoming to both people and pollinators alike. Evening primrose is also known to self-seed, meaning it comes back year after year with little effort.

I’ve noticed that planting evening primrose is a surefire way to draw nighttime activity into the garden. It thrives in full sun and tolerates a variety of soils, making it an easy addition that’s as tough as it is beautiful. When fireflies appear, they seem to dance around these blossoms, and I like to think the soft, warm glow from the flowers acts like a beacon, attracting them to linger a bit longer in my garden.

3. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

If you’ve never experienced the scent of tuberose on a warm summer evening, you’re in for a treat. This plant produces tall, elegant flower spikes laden with pure white blooms that release an intoxicating fragrance in the evening hours. The scent is unforgettable—sweet, exotic, and a little mysterious. I find myself drawn to these blooms after dark, and they’ve become a favorite in my garden not just for their beauty, but for the incredible scent they add to the night.

Tuberose is happiest in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight, though it does need regular care to thrive. Its tall spikes make it a striking addition to any garden, adding vertical interest and a touch of elegance to the space. Night-pollinators seem drawn to tuberose, and their presence adds to the lively, nocturnal scene. Fireflies often hover around these flowers, enhancing the magical feel of the garden after dark.

4. Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

Four O’Clocks are like a surprise waiting to happen. True to their name, they bloom late in the afternoon and stay open well into the night, offering a soft, sweet fragrance that wafts through the garden. I planted mine in a variety of colors—pink, yellow, and white—and their vibrant hues add a subtle yet lively touch to the night landscape. Watching these flowers open in the late afternoon, almost as if they’re anticipating the setting sun, is a small joy of its own.

These hardy flowers tolerate a range of soils and thrive in full to partial sun, making them a low-maintenance addition that’s also long-lasting. Four O’Clocks draw in nocturnal insects, setting the stage for fireflies to gather. As night falls, these blooms add a gentle burst of color to the garden, creating an ideal spot for fireflies to appear, adding a bit of sparkle to the soft backdrop.

5. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia)

If you’re looking for a touch of the tropics in your garden, Angel’s Trumpet brings just that, along with a hint of drama. Its large, trumpet-shaped blooms hang down like elegant chandeliers, and as the evening progresses, they emit a rich, sweet fragrance that fills the air. Angel’s Trumpet flowers in pale shades of white, peach, and yellow, lending an exotic feel to any space. I love the slightly mysterious, jungle-like vibe it adds to the garden.

Angel’s Trumpet thrives in full sun and enjoys a bit of humidity, so it does best with regular watering. Its lush growth provides excellent cover for fireflies, and they often hover beneath its blooms as if drawn to its heavy scent. The blooms themselves are stunning, creating a unique focal point that pairs beautifully with fireflies’ soft glows, turning a simple garden into a tropical retreat at night.

6. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)

Night-Blooming Jasmine lives up to its reputation as one of the most fragrant night-bloomers out there. Its small, tubular flowers might not be much to look at, but once the sun goes down, they release a powerful, heady aroma that fills the entire garden. I’ve placed mine along the edge of my patio, where I can enjoy its scent as I relax in the evenings. The fragrance is so potent that it’s hard to believe it comes from such modest flowers.

This jasmine thrives in partial to full sun and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It’s also relatively easy to care for, growing well with minimal attention. Its intense fragrance draws in both insects and fireflies, creating a lively nighttime atmosphere that feels both cozy and enchanted. Night-Blooming Jasmine has become a staple in my garden, providing an olfactory feast for anyone visiting after dusk.

7. Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)

The Queen of the Night is an absolute wonder, with blooms that appear only once a year, creating an event out of its brief flowering. Night-Blooming Cereus opens its large, delicate white flowers for just one night, filling the air with a subtle, sweet fragrance that is pure magic. Each time it blooms, it feels like a special occasion, and I find myself waiting in anticipation for that rare, spectacular show.

I’ve placed mine in a sheltered spot with indirect light, as it prefers a bit of protection from the sun. While Night-Blooming Cereus is a low-maintenance plant, the sight and scent of its fleeting blooms are enough to make it a treasure in the garden. Fireflies seem drawn to the mystery and beauty of its blossoms, adding to the feeling that something rare and magical is happening.

8. moonflower (Datura inoxia)

Datura adds a wild, untamed beauty to my garden, with its bold, trumpet-like blooms unfurling at dusk. The flowers open in soft shades of white and purple, creating a striking contrast against the darkening greenery. Though its fragrance is mild, Datura’s dramatic shape and color bring a unique charm to the night garden, and I often catch fireflies dancing around its blooms as if captivated by their unusual form.

This hardy plant loves full sun and tolerates a range of soils, making it easy to grow with little fuss. I’ve found that Datura adds a touch of mystery and elegance to the evening hours, drawing in nocturnal insects that keep fireflies interested. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a bit of edge to their nighttime garden, enhancing both beauty and atmosphere.

9. Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)

Yucca may not be the first plant that comes to mind for a firefly-friendly garden, but its tall, striking flower spikes make it a perfect addition. The plant blooms in clusters of creamy white flowers that open in the evening, creating a showy, vertical structure that stands out beautifully in the low light. I planted mine in a sunny, dry spot, and it’s thrived with minimal care, adding an architectural element to the garden.

The yucca’s bold form provides a unique backdrop for fireflies, creating contrast and interest in the evening landscape. Its blooms serve as elevated landing spots, and the fireflies seem to hover around them as if mesmerized by the height and color. Yucca is an unexpected but beautiful choice for a night garden, adding both texture and height to the overall scene.

10. Evening Stock (Matthiola longipetala)

Evening Stock might be small, but it’s a mighty addition to any night garden, filling the air with a powerful, sweet fragrance as the sun goes down. This delicate flower has soft pink and lavender hues that blend beautifully with other night-bloomers, providing subtle color that’s visible even in low light. Evening Stock prefers cooler climates and well-drained soil, making it a wonderful choice for northern gardens.

As the night deepens, its fragrance becomes more intense, drawing in nocturnal pollinators and creating a lovely scented atmosphere that is hard to resist. Fireflies seem attracted to its scent as well, and I often find them hovering around these gentle blooms, enhancing the sense of magic in the garden. Evening Stock is a quiet yet essential element in my night garden, adding charm and fragrance that I can’t imagine being without.

Final Thoughts

Each of these night-blooming beauties has brought something unique to my garden, transforming it into a nighttime retreat for both myself and the fireflies. The key to creating this magical space, I’ve found, is to keep things natural—planting in moist, shaded areas and keeping artificial lighting to a minimum.

With their alluring scents, glowing blooms, and firefly-attracting qualities, these flowers have made my garden a true nighttime haven. If you’re looking to bring more of nature’s wonders to your yard after dark, give a few of these flowers a try. They might just fill your nights with a little more magic.