When the warmer weather arrives, evenings spent on the terrace or in the garden become truly relaxing moments. To enhance these moments, a scented outdoor candle is a must-have. Decorative, cosy and easy to make, it creates a welcoming atmosphere whilst diffusing fresh, pleasant scents.
Find out which scents to choose, why you should opt for fragrances specially designed for candles, and how to easily make your own scented outdoor candle.
Which scents should you choose for an outdoor candle?
Fresh, herbaceous and citrusy notes remain the most popular for summer evenings. Here are our scents that come closest to these:
- Summer Shield
- Relaxing lavender and chamomile
- Lavandin and eucalyptus
- Lebanese cedar
- Lemon balm
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
These scents blend perfectly with the atmosphere of a terrace, balcony or garden and provide a pleasant backdrop to your summer evenings.
Why avoid essential oils in candles?
You might be tempted to use essential oils in your outdoor candles because you think they’ll act as a mosquito repellent, creating an anti-mosquito candle. This is not the case. Although essential oils are natural, natural does not automatically mean safe. When heated to high temperatures, certain essential oils can release substances that are sensitive or unsuitable for combustion.
Essential oils such as cinnamon, clove or even certain types of lavender may contain compounds that can become irritants when released by a candle flame.
Furthermore, essential oils are not specifically designed for combustion. Their heat stability varies and their diffusion into the wax can be uneven. The result: a candle that gives off little scent, burns poorly or poses safety risks.
Recipe for a scented outdoor candle
Here is a simple recipe for making a scented outdoor candle.
Equipment required
- Olive wax for poured candles or beeswax
- 7–10% fragrance
- A wick suitable for the diameter of the container.
- A heat-resistant container
- A thermometer
- A wick centring tool
- A beaker
Manufacturing steps
- Secure your wick in the container and position your wick centring tool.
- Melt your wax in a bain-marie at the recommended temperature (as indicated on the product information sheet for each wax).
- Add your colouring (in granules or liquid form) to the melted wax and stir gently until the colour is evenly distributed.
- Then add your candle fragrance and stir gently using circular movements to ensure even distribution.
- Pour your mixture into the container, then leave to cool for several hours.
- Ideally, wait 48 hours before lighting to ensure the fragrance is released to its full potential.
Tips for using an outdoor candle
A few best practices to help improve the performance of your creation:
Place your candles strategically
Arrange the candles around walkways or near dining areas to create better fragrance diffusion.
Protect the flame from the wind
Excessive wind significantly reduces fragrance diffusion and accelerates the candle’s burn time.
Choose a high-quality wax
Plant-based waxes such as olive wax allow for slower burning and a more even diffusion of the scent. You can also opt for beeswax, an animal-derived wax with a high melting point of between 60°C and 65°C.
Create a fragrant and pleasant summer atmosphere
Making a scented outdoor candle is a great way to personalise your garden décor whilst enjoying a pleasant atmosphere on summer evenings.
By choosing fragrances specially designed for candle-making, you’ll achieve a more even diffusion, better burn stability and a scent experience perfectly suited to your moments of relaxation outdoors.
