How to Make Candles with Dried Flowers
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Candles made with dried flowers are a stunning way to bring natural beauty into your home. Whether you want to create romantic centerpieces, personalized gifts, or simply enjoy the aesthetic charm of floral candles, incorporating dried flowers into your candle-making process can transform ordinary candles into decorative masterpieces.
This detailed guide walks you through everything you need to know—from choosing the right flowers and wax to embedding the flowers safely and artistically.
Why Use Dried Flowers in Candles?
Adding dried flowers to candles enhances both their appearance and sentimental value. Here's why they're so popular:
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Aesthetic Appeal: Dried flowers create a beautiful, natural design.
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Customizable: You can personalize candles based on season, occasion, or color palette.
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Gift-Worthy: These candles make thoughtful homemade gifts for birthdays, weddings, and holidays.
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Eco-Friendly: Dried flowers are biodegradable and can be sourced sustainably.
Important Note: Not all dried flowers are safe to burn. Embedding them in a way that avoids the flame is key. This guide will show you how to do it correctly.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the following materials:
Core Candle-Making Supplies
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Wax: Soy wax is ideal for beginners and burns cleanly.
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Wick: Cotton or wooden wick (choose based on container size).
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Wick stickers or hot glue: To anchor the wick.
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Candle container: Glass jars, tins, or molds.
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Fragrance oil (optional): Lavender, rose, citrus, etc.
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Candle dye (optional): For colored candles.
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Double boiler: Or a heatproof bowl over a pot.
Dried Flowers
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Safe, non-toxic flowers: Rose petals, lavender buds, chamomile, cornflowers, calendula, or pansies.
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Pressed and dried: Ensure they’re fully dehydrated.
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Tweezers: For precise placement.
How to Make Candles with Dried Flowers
Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Flowers
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Pick safe flowers: Only use flowers that are non-toxic and pesticide-free.
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Dry them thoroughly: Moisture in flowers can cause mold or affect the candle’s quality.
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Press if needed: Pressed flowers work best when attaching to container walls.
Pro Tip: Avoid large or thick flowers—they may create uneven burns or ignite.
Step 2: Prepare the Candle Container
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Clean the container: Ensure it’s free from dust or oils.
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Attach the wick: Use a wick sticker or hot glue to secure the wick to the center of the bottom.
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Stabilize the wick: Use chopsticks or a wick holder to keep it upright.
Step 3: Decorate the Inside with Flowers
There are two ways to incorporate dried flowers:
Option A: Embed Flowers Along the Container Wall
This is the safest and most aesthetic method.
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Use tweezers to press flowers gently against the inside of the glass container.
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Position the flowers aesthetically around the sides.
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Some people use a tiny dab of wax to hold them in place before pouring.
This keeps flowers away from the flame while allowing them to be visible through the wax.
Option B: Sprinkle Flowers Into the Wax
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Place a few small dried petals at the bottom of the container.
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Once wax is partially set, gently press some flowers into the surface.
⚠️ Caution: Never overload with dried flowers, especially at the top. Too many can ignite when the wick burns down.
Step 4: Melt the Wax
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Use a double boiler to gently melt your wax.
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Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
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Optional: Add candle dye to color the wax.
Temperature tips:
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Melt soy wax to around 170–180°F (77–82°C).
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Let it cool slightly before adding fragrance (around 150–160°F / 65–71°C).
Step 5: Add Fragrance (Optional)
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Add your fragrance oil once wax cools slightly.
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Stir gently to distribute the scent.
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Follow your wax’s guidelines (usually 6–10% fragrance load).
Step 6: Pour the Wax
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Slowly pour the wax into the prepared container.
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Pouring too quickly can dislodge flowers or form bubbles.
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Keep the wick centered.
If you added pressed flowers to the wall, pour slowly to avoid displacing them.
Step 7: Add Final Flower Touches (Optional)
Once the candle starts to firm but is still soft at the top:
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Use tweezers to press small petals or buds gently into the top surface.
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Avoid placing near the wick—this could cause a fire hazard when burned.
Step 8: Let the Candle Set and Cure
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Allow the candle to cool and harden for 24 hours at room temperature.
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Avoid moving it while it sets to prevent uneven tops or cracks.
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Trim the wick to 1/4 inch (6 mm).
Safety Tips for Flower Candles
Dried flowers are flammable. To enjoy your candles safely:
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Never place flowers near the wick.
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Trim the wick before each use to reduce the risk of a tall flame.
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Burn in a supervised setting, away from drafts or flammable items.
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Use containers with high sides (like jars) to shield the flame.
Best Flower Types to Use
Flower | Appearance | Scent | Burn-Safe? |
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Rose Petals | Romantic, vibrant | Mildly floral | Yes, if limited use |
Lavender Buds | Rustic, elegant | Strong floral | Yes, sparingly |
Chamomile | Soft and daisy-like | Light and calming | Yes |
Calendula | Bright yellow or orange | Mild herbal | Yes |
Cornflowers | Blue pops of color | Very light scent | Yes |
Creative Ideas for Dried Flower Candles
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Wedding favors: Use the wedding’s floral theme.
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Seasonal candles: Use spring flowers for spring, pine and red petals for Christmas.
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Crystal & flower candles: Add small crystals for extra flair (placed safely away from the wick).
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Layered candles: Create layers of wax and flowers for a stunning look.
In Conclusion
Making candles with dried flowers combines artistry, nature, and fragrance into one beautiful DIY project. By carefully embedding flowers along the container’s edges or pressing them into the top of the wax, you can achieve a stunning result that’s both functional and decorative.
Whether you’re creating gifts, decorating your home, or simply indulging your creative side, dried flower candles are a joyful and rewarding way to experiment with candle making.
Let your creativity bloom—just remember to keep safety at the heart of your process.
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