DIY Dried Flower Candles That Look Great On A Table

  • By: Candle Crowd
  • Time to read: 14 min.

Making your own dried flower candles is an easy DIY project that can be really fun to do as a craft with friends and family.

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Photographer: Olga Serjantu | Source: Unsplash

DIY Dried Flower Candles

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, simple, and quick way to decorate a table or shelf without breaking the bank, this is a good option! This DIY dried flower candle guide works great as a craft with friends or family and is a really simple way to dress up an area that needs a little something without spending too much money on it.

  • Dried flower candles are a low-commitment DIY project.
  • You can decorate them however you want!
  • DIY floral candle projects are a good respite from hectic routines.  Mixing different waxes and oils is a great exercise for the mind and soul.
  • Moreover, the supplies for candle making are pretty inexpensive.
  • Handmade scented candles make great gifts.
  • You can dress them up with ribbon and other embellishments or leave them as is.

The main thing you need to remember when trying this DIY project for yourself is that there’s really no right or wrong way to do it.

Why make DIY Dried flower candles?

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re feeling crafty and want to send someone flowers slightly differently, then a few DIY dried flower candles are perfect for your special somebody! Not only will they smell amazing, but these homemade gifts also last longer than a store-bought one meaning that when it comes time to put out all those romantic scents into storage after Valentine’s day has passed – well, now there’ll always be one more thing worth looking forward to thanks in part from this simple project of yours.

When it comes to choosing gifts, shopping malls and online offer plenty of options, but candles aren’t the first things people consider when considering gifts. Many people put it off because it’s difficult to do and buy the many options available. However, making your DIY dried flower candles is simpler than many people think and very sweet touch to your gift-giving. It is also relatively cheap, with only a few simple ingredients that can easily be locally bought. With these simple yet elegant creations made with natural materials like waxes or scented oils that have been patiently waiting to be used in this way, your special somebody will enjoy an aromatic gift they’ll never forget!

5 Flowers That Work Best For DIY Dried Flower Candles

Dried flower petals can be used to make dried flower candles that are great for decorating the table or mantle. This DIY project is really easy and inexpensive, not to mention fun! The dried flower petals you use will depend on the color scheme of the floral candle you want to make. If you’re looking for a more rustic look, dried flower petals with a dark color will work best. For a more vibrant and bright candle, dried flower petals with colors such as red, green, or yellow work well.

To give you an idea of how elegant and romantic the petals of a rose can be, think about all those movies where two lovers are soft-spoken by candlelight. Add these lovely flowers to your floral candles for that perfect ambiance – or why not spoil yourself by taking an afternoon bubble-bath filled out all-inclusivity?

The multi-colored variety, including vibrant colors such as pink or yellow – will dazzle every sense, whether it’s sight ( colors like reds) or scent (smelling their beautiful scent) while soothing away any stress that may be weighing down upon you.

1- Lavender

Lavender is a perfect scent for anyone who needs to relax. The calming, lavender-scented aroma will help you feel at ease and ready to take on any task that comes your way!

Inhale the aroma from these beautiful lavender-scented dried flower candles while gazing into candlelight or burning it in an office space as part of preparing yourself before important meetings.

2- Peony

Aromatherapy candles can help with stress relief by providing aromas that have been known as soothing meditative agents – just what we all want from our busy lives. A delicate and unique scent, peonies are the perfect way to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. Burn this candle for those days when you need some peace of mind!

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Photographer: eniko kis | Source: Unsplash

3- Freesia

The perfect way to get your mind refreshed is with a freesia candle. These pretty buds have been known for their invigorating scent and ability to increase alertness, making them an essential component in any study session or important speech given throughout the day! For even more nostalgia-inducing power, we recommend gifting this thoughtful gift of flowers as well because it will symbolize friendship just like they used to when you were kids.

4- Tulips

This elegant flower is known for its stunning blooms, which can be found in various colors. The brightness and beauty make them perfect additions to any garden or home decorating scheme! Did you know that tulips offer a health boost for your senses as well? A candle made from tulip flowers will leave you feeling more optimistic and enhance mental clarity for those who experience it! Blossoming across many colors, these candles fit into any decor.

5- Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a special flower. Its sweet scent will provide you with happy feels and make any room feel more welcoming to enter into! The lily comes in shades such as pink, yellow, orange, or red white. But whatever color it may be, they all have one thing in common: their breathtaking beauty, which can also enhance any room’s ambiance. So take your pick from these beautiful blooms when making a DIY floral candle at home this season!

Is it worth making DIY Dried Flower candles when many options are available in stores and online?

Homemade scented candles can be a fun and creative project for your family. However, the process is not always easy to follow, especially if you’re new at it! When I first tried making dried flower candles myself, my biggest challenge was keeping up with all of those flowers as they quickly became hidden behind layers of wax once cooled- even non-toxic soy-based wax becomes opaque after being heated just enough over long periods.

Prepare flowers for making DIY Dried Flower Candles.

When you learn the technique below, you can really experiment and try just about any flower or dried herb from the garden. Lavender, rosemary, and mint are my favorite herbs to add to container candles! Dried flowers make a natural artful statement when burned as a mason jar pressed flower- they even smell amazing while you light them up! You can also get yourself some fresh ingredients at farmer’s markets because that’s what makes these creations so beautiful. It really does add something special when all those colors come together on one wick after another, looking so fresh & wild.

Also, If you’re new to candle-making, read our beginners’ guide to DIY Candle: Learn How To Make Candles At Home.

Gather flowers:

One of the most important things to remember when picking flowers is that delicate flower works best. We found a random selection of real flowers from our garden and tried out different types, but I think white or pale-colored blooms were not good choices because they look boring. It doesn’t mean you can never use these colors again – just don’t choose them for this project! But have fun experimenting with other shades instead.

Dry out petals:

To make the most of your fresh flowers, lay them out on several layers of kitchen towel or absorbent paper in a dry, well circulated, and dark area. Make sure they aren’t in the sight of pets or a curious toddler. Trim their stems and extra foliage carefully. Arrange flowers so that they face outward when pressed – we found it easiest to arrange flower heads down rather than up. Once you’ve done this, cover with several layers of kitchen towel or absorbent paper for best results!

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Photographer: Nicolette Meade | Source: Unsplash

Or Iron Flowers:

Instead of pressing our flowers for several weeks, let’s speed up the process by ironing them! You need to ensure that your blooms look their best and last as long on your jar. Make sure to turn off any steam function on top before placing it there. Set heat low- keep moving slowly back and forth rather than pushing forward with pressure like you would if pressing cloths. Just hold in one place with thirty-second breaks between passes through each section until all parts have been covered thoroughly.

Pinching and folding the paper, you can peel back to peek at your flowers. When they’re dry with a slightly crispy edge – it’s time for plucking! Carefully remove them from their absorbent papers; be gentle not to damage any delicate petals or leaves.

What You Will Require Making Your Diy Dried Flower Candles:

1: Wax – We recommend using soy wax, but any organic wax should do.

2: Cotton Wick – Measured to fit your container, with a little extra length for the candle to set.

3: Dried Flowers – Either store-bought or you can dry your own.

4: Glass Jar or any Transparent Container.

5: A Pencil- We’ll use this to help the wick set.

6: A Wooden skewer to steer the melted wax and hold the wicks in place.

7: Optional: Essential oils

Here are the exact measurements that I used. You can adjust them to your preference with more or less essential oils and dried flowers.

1: In my first candle-making endeavor, I used soy wax ( 4 cups), but you can use any organic wax as well.)

2: Eight candle wicks (I glued the candle wick to the shot glass as I didn’t have to worry about its length. Let the candlewick extend beyond the container)

3: Double boiler (anything in your kitchen will work. I used a saucepan and got a smaller candle pouring pot which fits perfectly in the pan)

4: Eight glasses (candle container options are endless. You can use mason jars, glasses, cups, etc.)

5: Lavender and rosemary essential oils. (Or any other oil of your choice)

Steps For Making Dried Flowers Scented Candles

You can start with a DIY candle-making kit as a beginner or look for the supplies mentioned above. The kit, however, includes soy wax flakes, precut wicks, and a centering device.

What Kind Of Wax You Should Consider

There are various candle wax options; let’s talk about them. In the 21st century, we are conscious of protecting the environment and caring for our families. It’s important to find out which option would work for you before purchasing.

Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of the oil purification process. Despite its poor reputation, you can still find petroleum-based paraffin in candles, wax paper, nail polishes, and many other cosmetics. According to recent research, paraffin wax releases harmful chemicals like toluene and benzene when it burns in the air. This same research also shows that exposure to these fumes requires a long period.

Well, who knows? I wouldn’t risk it, anyway.

We would like to help the environment be preserved for future generations. Now crude oil, which is mentioned, is the source of paraffin wax, and it is considered highly unsustainable and undesirable.

Soy wax

Soy wax is a healthier and renewable source; also, it is biodegradable, which is why soy wax has an outrageous demand in candle making nowadays. One benefit of soy wax is that it lasts longer than paraffin wax. The melting point of soy wax is low. However, as a beginning candle maker, I would recommend them for dried flower candles in jars and containers, but you may have difficulty making pillar candles without adding paraffin.

Beeswax

If you want an organic candle, beeswax is your best choice. Beeswax candle produces more natural light and makes it feel more comfortable to hold. Contrary, soy candle has a bright white light, like your iPhone or electronic devices, which doesn’t bother me.

Furthermore, it is believed that the flame of the beeswax candle is brighter, and it lasts longer than its soy brother.

Go figure it out. I hope you’ll be able to select the right wax for candle-making based on your preferences. After choosing the right wax for candle making, now move on and follow these easy steps mentioned below for making the perfect pressed flower candle.

Step 1: Melt The Wax.

For this first step, melt the wax on your stovetop. Anyhow, you can either do this in a bowl in a saucepan with shallow water or choose a pan you won’t mind using exclusively for candle-making. Because I wanted to devote one pot to the candles, I used a saucepan as a wax pouring pot. Knowing that, I won’t be able to use that pan for cooking anymore after candle making. It’s better to melt the wax slowly with low heat to ensure that it cools quickly so as not to damage the dried petals with the heat of the liquid.

Step 2: Add Fragrance Oils.

I prefer essential oils as I know and trust them better. You can also use fragrance oil for candle making, as these are commonly used in many scented candles.

But why Fragrance oils are commonly used in DIY scented candles?

Because you can buy them anywhere online or at your local craft stores because they are cheap. Also, there are fragrance oils that mimic the scent of different designer perfumes. It’s hard to tell whether a fragrance oil is organic, healthy, and environment-friendly.

What About Essential Oils?

Essential oils are of plant origin like seeds, spices, woods, and fruits, thus concentrated oils. Since they are natural and used in aromatherapy, skincare, and natural healing, they can be expensive, especially when you purchase high-grade essential oil.

When making your dried flower candles, you’ll want to add your oil after you’ve melted the wax. I followed the tip I heard: we should not melt the wax over 185 degrees F after adding the essential oil.

Why? Because you will burn off all the fragrance if you heat the wax too high, and it won’t be scented anymore – just food for thought.

Measurement ratio of fragrance oil/essential oil in wax mixing.

It is a rule of thumb to mix the fragrance oil with approximately 6%-10% of the overall weight of the wax used for candle making. You can always alternate the percentage according to your choice.

How much essential oil to mix in a homemade candle?

For every pound of wax you use, you need one ounce of oil, which is about 6%-7% of the wax. As you work with different essential oils, you must be aware (read and experience) that their strength varies.

For example, if you use lavender and rosemary essential oil in the candle recipe, you need to adjust it accordingly because lavender would overpower the rosemary. In that case, add 15 drops of lavender and 30 drops of rosemary.

Step 3: Stick The Wick To The Bottom.

To secure the wicks, I used the usual method of dipping the cords into the melted wax and inserting them into the glass. Wait until the wax gets dry and sticks.

Sometimes I failed in this trick and had to repeat the process.

TIP: you can make this process easier and faster by using the hot glue gun and gluing the wick to the center of the container. Well, my soy wax kit came with wicks and wick placeholders that can easily keep the wicks centered when pouring the wax into the candle holder.

Step 4: Pour The Wax.

I upcycled some shot glasses. You can help the environment and save your money by repurposing things you don’t use anymore. No trash, just new treasure!

You can use small bowls and mason jars. You can use anything you like, preferably what you already have at home.

Lastly, carefully pour the melted wax into the candle container, leaving about 1/4 inch space from the top.

Extra tip: how to avoid candle cracking? Because of our tropical climate, I thought it wouldn’t happen. Unfortunately, candle wax cools off quickly, so homemade candles can crack. By wrapping the candle jar in a cloth, you will avoid the sudden temperature drop and do not shock your candles.

Step 5: Wick Readjustment.

The wicks didn’t budge, no matter what I tried. I readjusted them and wrapped them around the pens. That is why you should choose the correct length to fit the project.

Step 6: Adding Flowers to make Dried Flower Candles

dried flower candles; DIY dried floral candles; homemade floral candles; herbs in candles; candlemaking
Photographer: Olga Serjantu | Source: Unsplash

It is a good time to add dried flowers to the melted wax. If you’re using a transparent container, clean the container before adding the flowers and wax, so no smudges or marks are left when the wax cools inside it.

If you want more of the flowers to be displayed, you can also stick some petals to the sides of the container by using glue. Add some flowers if you like to seal inside just before you are ready to pour the wax into a glass container.

Do not worry about the distribution of flowers because you can add more gradually with wax. If you want more flowers or at the bottom, you can add some to the jar before pouring the wax. Also, you can mix flower petals with the melted wax before pouring. I poured the wax first, secured the wicks, and added dried flowers.

Adding Herbs To Dried Flower Candles:

You can give more fragrance and texture to the dried flower candles by adding dried herbs to the hot wax during candle-making. Herbs that are best suited for candle-making include rosemary, lavender, thyme, mint, hyssop, bergamot, savory, and germander. You can add many herbs to your wax, depending on your preference. To dry the herbs, simply tie fresh herbs in bunches and hang them upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated area for about two to three weeks.

Step 7: Cut The Wick And Add Decoration.

Let your beautiful dried flower candles cool and solidify overnight, up to 24 hours if you can wait. You can start the candle by cutting the wick, leaving a piece of its length.

Now is the time to add any of the decorations of your choice when the candles are set. For example, if you made the candle as a gift, you can have a lavender sprig and dried flowers or herbs or labels.

Your Beautiful Dried Flower Scented Candles

I think we can celebrate already! You just made a beautifully scented candle. It doesn’t matter what occasion you are sending these dried flower-scented candles, they make a great gift. I’m sure you’ll impress your loved ones with its light, scent, and craftsmanship.

I’m pleased with the way my first homemade candles turned out. They were scented with lavender and rosemary essential oils. These are great essential oils because they smell great, but they are also cheaper. I suggest you should try up-cycling jars, glasses, cups, and old used tea candle holders to save money.

If you have outmoded candles at home, you can try creating a pretty candle by melting them together. Candle making is a fun, simple, and inexpensive DIY project. I hope you’ll enjoy it too as I enjoyed it.

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