The floral world is a popular theme across a wide range of material culture from Minoan Crete. However, the ongoing difficulties encountered by scholarship in identifying many of these species and understanding their significance is suggested here to indicate that the visual appeal of these artifacts was not of primary importance. Using the concept of synesthetic material culture, examples of stone blossom bowls and Kamares-ware ceramics with relief flowers and petals are examined. As both types of vessel provide the appearance of consuming out of artificial flowers, I suggest that these vessels were deliberately intended to enhance real aromas and provoke metaphorical and mnemonic olfactory responses. The multiple social roles of olfaction are discussed in relation to palatial Crete, and it is shown how a sensorially informed approach can lead to new interpretations of well-known material.