Gardenia smells like a rich, sweet, and powerful floral scent that also has a creamy and slightly fruity vibe. It’s a very fragrant flower, often described as luscious and zesty. Gardenia smells like a fancy white flower mixed with hints of peach or coconut. You might catch a whiff of a similar smell in some high-end soaps or if you've smelled a really strong, sweet-smelling white flower before. It's often used in fragrances to give a very smooth and intoxicating floral note.