Lotus

What Does It Smell Like?

Lotus is a delicate, almost ethereal floral that smells like standing in a peaceful garden at dawn. Imagine the subtle sweetness of a water lily crossed with hints of green tea and soft musk—there's an aquatic, slightly waxy quality, almost like the cool surface of pond water kissed by petals. It's never heavy or cloying; instead, it whispers rather than shouts, with a clean, almost soapy refinement that feels both innocent and mysteriously sensual.

Origin & History

True lotus fragrance is extremely rare and precious—the flower itself doesn't yield much scent naturally. Most "lotus" in perfumery is synthetic or constructed from multiple ingredients (florals like heliotrope, green notes, and musks) that recreate the flower's elusive character. The lotus holds sacred significance across Asia, particularly in Buddhism and Hinduism, so perfumers often blend it to capture that spiritual, contemplative essence rather than attempting literal extraction from Egypt's Nymphaea lotus or Asia's sacred Nelumbo nucifera.

In Perfumery

Lotus typically functions as a heart or middle note, lending an airy, meditative quality to compositions. Perfumers use it to add sophistication and restraint—it softens bolder florals, grounds spicy notes, and creates luminous, zen-like atmospheres. It's particularly effective in aquatic and fresh fragrances, where its watery, clean character feels perfectly at home.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 71 Fragrances