How to Make Candles with Dried Flower and Herb Inclusions
Creating candles with embedded dried flowers or herbs is a simple and elegant way to bring a natural, artisanal touch to your home. In this article, you’ll find everything you need: materials, detailed steps, tips for a professional finish, and precautions for lighting decorated candles. At the end, we'll tell you how to learn in person at our workshops in Barcelona.
Why Choose Dried Flowers and Herbs
Natural inclusions add texture, color, and a connection to nature that plain candles lack. Furthermore, if you use properly dried and responsibly sourced flowers and herbs, the final piece is sustainable and suitable for gifting or decoration. Keep in mind: design is the priority, but so is safety—flowers must be placed in a way that doesn't accelerate combustion.
Materials and Tools
- Vegetable wax (soy, coconut, or vegetable blend). Avoid waxes with unknown additives.
- Wicks suitable for the container diameter (cotton or wooden wicks).
- Wax thermometer.
- Containers or molds (clear glass works well to showcase inclusions).
- Well-dried flowers and herbs (lavender, rosemary, rose petals, chamomile flower).
- Essential oils or natural fragrances (optional).
- Candle dye (optional, in small quantities).
- Sticks, tweezers, or a thin rod for positioning.
- Parchment paper, paper towels, and heat-resistant gloves.
Flower Preparation
- Ensure the flowers are completely dry and free of moisture. If they were dried in a press or with silica, even better.
- If the flowers are bulky, lightly crush them (without pulverizing) to prevent them from protruding too much and creating hot spots.
- Avoid flowers treated with glossy sprays or pesticides. Use flowers for decorative purposes and, when possible, grown without chemicals.
Step-by-Step: How to Embed Flowers in Candles
- Prepare your workspace and ensure safety
- Work on a clean surface covered with parchment paper. Keep a small fire extinguisher or water handy (not for hot oil). Wear gloves and glasses if needed.
- Secure the wick
- Center and secure the wick in the container with a drop of cool wax or an adhesive tab. Keep the wick straight with a clip or holder.
- Melt the wax
- Heat the wax in a double boiler to the manufacturer's recommended temperature (e.g., 70–80 ºC), using a thermometer. Do not overheat.
- Add fragrance and color (optional)
- Remove from heat, and when the wax reaches the blending temperature specified for your fragrance (e.g., 60–65 ºC depending on the essence type), add the essential oil and stir gently.
- First Pour (surface seal)
- Pour a small layer of wax (2–4 mm) into the bottom of the container or enough to create a "bed" to secure the first flowers if working with clear molds.
- Allow to cool until slightly firm but still sticky. This helps the flowers stay in place and prevents them from floating or sinking during the next pour.
- Position the flowers
- Place the flowers with tweezers or a stick. If you want them close to the container wall, press gently so the flower base adheres to the intermediate wax layer.
- For deeper inclusions, you can use the layering technique: alternate layers of wax and flower positions until filled.
- Final pour and smoothing
- Pour the remaining wax slowly to avoid bubbles. Keep the wick centered.
- If small imperfections remain, you can gently go over them with a kitchen torch from a distance or add a few drops of hot wax to the surface to smooth.
- Curing
- Allow the candle to cure according to the wax type (24–72 hours for vegetable waxes). Avoid moving it during curing.
Aesthetic and Functional Tips
- Do not cover the wick with flowers. Maintain a clear area of at least 1 cm around the wick on the surface.
- Surface inclusions (glued to the inner wall of the glass) offer an attractive visual effect when the candle is unlit. For burning safety, prevent flowers from being in the direct path of the flame.
- Play with translucent layers and small petals on the inner wall for an elegant look.
Safety When Lighting Candles with Flowers
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. Flowers, even dry, are combustible material.
- Keep the candle on a stable surface and away from drafts, curtains, or flammable materials.
- Before lighting, trim the wick to 3–5 mm.
- If you observe high flames or sparks, extinguish immediately and let the candle cool.
- Decorative candles with many inclusions are best for decorative use or for brief burn times. Always test a new candle in short sessions to observe its behavior.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Using wet flowers: can cause mold or bubbles. Solution: strict drying.
- Placing too many flowers around the wick: leads to uneven burning. Solution: leave a clear area.
- Pouring wax too hot: can burn the flowers and change their color. Solution: follow pouring temperatures.
Combination Ideas
- Lavender + vanilla oil: relaxing.
- Rose petals + geranium oil: romantic.
- Rosemary + citrus: fresh and Mediterranean.
- Chamomile + soft sandalwood: soothing.
Storage and Care
Store candles in a dry, dark place to preserve the color of the flowers. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. To clean dust, use a soft brush.
Quick Questions
- Can I use flowers bought from a craft store? Yes, as long as they haven't been treated with toxic sprays. Better if they are specifically for non-chemical decorative use.
- How long do fragrances last? In well-cured vegetable waxes, 6–12 months of identifiable scent; depends on the essence intensity and storage.
Want to Learn Step-by-Step, In Person?
If you'd like to practice and receive personalized support, sign up for our workshops in Barcelona. At Vento Barcelona workshops, you'll learn pouring techniques, how to choose wicks and waxes, and how to embed flowers and herbs safely and aesthetically. It's a practical and friendly experience, ideal for beginners and those looking to perfect their technique.
Book and more information: https://vento.barcelona/talleres
Enjoy creating: with care and good raw materials, your flower candles will be unique pieces combining design and nature.
