DIY Lavender Candle Recipe with Soy Wax and Essential Oils

This homemade lavender candle recipe is easy to make, perfect for gift-giving, and captures the intriguing scent of lavender! You’ll only need a handful of materials for the DIY lavender soy candles and 20 minutes prep. The step-by-step candle-making tutorial comes with different essential oil blend ideas and free printable candle labels.

Homemade lavender candles

Oh, summer! Do you feel it? More importantly, can you smell it? Summer growing up for me meant helping my aunt Mary-Louise tending for her garden. She had the most beautiful English rose bushes, framed by a lush lavender border.

Today, I grow several lavender bushes in my garden that fill the space with the most wonderful floral aroma and gorgeous shades of violet. Because I love the scent so much, I’m always looking for ways to enjoy it long after my lavender has bloomed.

Lavender is such a meditative and relaxing fragrance that will take you away from the stress after a long day. Last year, I shared tutorials for lavender wax sachets and lavender slumber spray. Now, it’s time to make DIY lavender soy candles!

In this candle-making tutorial, I show you all the tips and tricks to make the best lavender candles. You’ll learn different essential oil blends for lavender candles, and we talk about the safe use of lavender essential oil candles for kids and pets.

Homemade soy candles are always some of my favorite air fresheners. Some of my other favorites are pumpkin spice candles, this eucalyptus candle, DIY lemon scented candle, and my DIY citronella candles.

Lavender candle benefits

I love to light a candle to create a pleasant ambiance at my home. The flickering light and aromatic fragrance are sooo relaxing. Homemade lavender essential oil candles are perfect for relaxing and winding down before bed.

And did you know? The aromatherapeutic benefits of lavender are supported by science. When I researched for my lavender sleep spray recipe, I found many studies that confirm the effectiveness of lavender to relax and sleep.

What are lavender candles good for?

DIY lavender candles can support your wellbeing in several ways and have the following potential aromatherapy benefits:

• lift your mood
• reduce anxiety and negative feelings (source)
• alleviate headaches and migraine (source)
• improve sleepiness and increase deep sleep (source)
• ease emotional symptoms caused by PMS (source)

Materials for lavender essential oil candles

Can I let you in on a little secret? Lavender candles are actually super easy to make. And you need only 4 must-have materials and some optional ones. Here’s your supply list (you can find the ingredient amounts in the how-to card at the end of the post):

• Lavender essential oil provides a natural lavender scent. Homemade candles are one of those cases where the essential oil quality really does make a difference. I prefer the essential oils from Plant Therapy and Tisserand. Cheap lavender essential oil won’t give you the same strong and authentic lavender fragrance. This candle-making tutorial isn’t sponsored, it’s just what I found to be true.
• Soy wax: I used my all-time favorite wax, Golden Brands 464 soy wax. This type of natural wax is ideal for container candles and can hold an abundance of fragrance (up to 10%). The 464 soy wax always produces a beautiful, creamy candle.
• Pre-tapped wicks are super practical as you don’t have to tap the wick yourself. I used 6-in / 16 cm cotton wicks, which is a good size for 2.75 in / 7 cm diameter containers.
• Heatproof container: You have many containers to choose from, ranging from mason jars to candle tins. I opted for these beautiful frosted glass containers. Mine could hold 8 oz / 225 g of product. For the best candle, pick a container that has straight edges and isn’t porous. My friend Kristy from Life-N-Reflection has a detailed post on safe candle containers.
• Candle dye (optional): Use purple dye to tint the soy wax in a lovely lavender tone or leave the candles uncolored. I think both versions are equally beautiful.

Tools to make lavender candles

Next, we need to gather the following tools. Again, some of these are optional.

• Melting pot: You need a heatproof container to melt the soy wax. A pour pitcher works best for large batches. This chocolate melting pot is a good option if you only want to make 1 to 2 candles.
• or stirrer to stir the wax while it melts.
• Laser infrared thermometer to check the temperature when melting the wax. While I find a laser thermometer the most convenient, you can also use a candy thermometer, or an instant-read thermometer.
• Wick holders are useful to keep the wicks in place while the DIY candles are cooling. You can use clothespins or skewers instead of metal bow tie clips, too.
• to trim the wick.

How to make lavender soy candle

How do you make homemade lavender candles? Wait until you see how easy DIY lavender candles are to make! This beginner-friendly candle-making tutorial does have several steps, but none of them are difficult at all.

Step 1: Prep work

• Measure the materials and set everything up. Timing is important in candle-making, and you want to be prepared.
• Check that the candle containers are dry and clean.

Step 2: Melt the wax

• Add the wax and candle dye (if using) to a heatproof pot or pitcher (something with a spout works best).
• Melt the wax over medium-high heat, occasionally stirring, so the wax doesn’t burn.
• Heat until the wax reaches 156°F / 68°C on a thermometer.

Step 3: Add the lavender essential oil

• Once the wax has reached 156°F / 68°C, take it off the heat and add the lavender essential oil.
• Stir the mixture 30 to 40 times so ensure the wax and essential oil bind together.
• Let the wax cool to 135° F / 57°C, which is the ideal pouring temperature for 464 soy wax.

Step 4: Pour and wick the lavender candle

• Give the wax a good stir, and then pour it into your candle containers.
• Thread the wick through the wick holder and secure it in the notch.
• Place the wick in the center of the candle.

Step 5: Let the candle cool

• Let the candles cool overnight at room temperature.

Step 6: Fix holes

• After cooling the candle, you may notice that the wax around the wick has sunken in a bit. The sinkhole can happen if the wax was poured too hot. Let’s fix it!
• To cover up the hole, remelt leftover wax and pour a thin coat over the entire surface of the candle, going all the way to the edges.

Step 7: Cure the lavender candles

• Cover the candles with a lid and let them rest at room temperature for 3 days to 2 weeks.

Step 8: Light the lavender candle

• Cut the candle wick to 1/4 in / 0.6 cm before lighting because that wick length will give the best burn.
• When burning your DIY lavender candle for the first time, let the candle burn until the entire surface has melted to the edge of the container.
• Be sure to place your homemade soy candle on a heatproof surface, away from anything flammable (e.g., curtains). Never leave a burning candle unattended and extinguish the flame if you leave the room. Take extra precautions if small children or pets are around.

Tips for making the best lavender scented candles

Even though making soy candles is simple, it can take a few gos at it to really understand how to make non-toxic candles. Luckily for you, I’ve created countless DIY candles, so I have all the candle making tips and tricks you’ll ever need for making soy candles at home:

• Don’t heat the soy wax over 156°F / 68°C. Lavender oil has a flashpoint of 156°F / 68°C, which means the oil will begin to evaporate at that temperature, creating a less fragrant candle. For the strongest scent, we want to keep the wax at or slightly below 156°F / 68°C.
• Stir the wax and essential oil thoroughly. A quick stir doesn’t cut it. You need to stir the melted soy wax, and essential oil at least 30 times, so the wax and oil bind together. Otherwise, the lavender oil will leak and seep at the bottom or top of the candle.
• Pour the lavender candles at 135° F / 57°C. As mentioned, this is the ideal pouring temperature for 464 soy wax. The cooler the wax is, the prettier and smoother the top will be. The wax might begin to look a little cloudy, but that’s okay. Tip: If using another type of soy wax, the pouring temperature could be different. So, be sure to check the product’s description.
• Don’t cool the candles in the fridge. If soy wax is cooled too rapidly, it will crack.
• Cure the lavender candles for 1 to 2 weeks. You just made a beautiful candle and are excited to burn it. I get it. But to achieve the best scent throw, allow your candle to cure. Curing is the process where the wax and essential oil bind together. The longer you let your candle cure, the stronger the scent will be. 3 days is the minimum, 1 week is better, and 2 weeks are best. Of course, you can light your DIY lavender soy candle sooner, but it won’t have the best scent throw.

Essential oil candle blends with lavender

Now that you know how to make natural soy candles, you can experiment with different lavender essential oil blends for candles! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• lemon lavender candle: 0.4 oz / 11 g / 220 drops lavender + 0.3 oz / 8 g / 160 drops lemon
• lavender vanilla soy candle: 0.4 oz / 11 g / 220 drops lavender + 0.3 oz / 8 g / 160 drops vanilla oleoresin
• eucalyptus and lavender candle: 0.5 oz / 14 g / 280 drops lavender + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops eucalyptus
• clean lavender candle: 0.3 oz / 8 g / 160 drops lavender + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops spearmint + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops sweet orange
• calm lavender candle for anxiety: 0.4 oz / 11 g / 220 drops lavender + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops cedarwood + 0.1 oz / 3 g / 60 drops patchouli
• lavender sleep candle: 0.4 oz / 11 g / 220 drops lavender + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops vetiver + 0.1 oz / 3 g / 60 drops clary sage
• lavender flower candle: 0.3 oz / 8 g / 160 drops lavender + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops geranium + 0.2 oz / 5 g / 100 drops ylang ylang

The amounts are enough to scent one 8-oz soy candle. The fragrance load is 7.5%, which will ensure a strong scent throw without impacting the candle’s ability to burn.

If you prefer a light lavender scent, I recommend reducing these amounts.

Packaging ideas for lavender oil candles

Printable candle labels

This tutorial comes with free printable lavender candle labels and gift tags. You can download the printable at the end of the post (after the DIY box).

Gift wrapping

I dressed my lavender candle jars up with a simple piece of twine and a few sprigs of dried lavender.  The rustic look is so pretty, don’t you think? Next, I put the printable lavender candle labels as a cover on top of some candles. Also, I tied the gift tags around a few other homemade lavender candles.

Natural lavender candle FAQ

Can I use lavandin oil instead of lavender oil?

Yes, you can absolutely make lavender candles with lavandin essential oil. What’s the difference between the two?

The lavender family includes over 50 species. Lavender essential oil is usually made from 2 main species: lavender angustifolia (aka English or true lavender) and lavendulan x intermedia (aka lavandin).

 While lavender angustifolia is more expensive than lavandin, English lavender has a more delicate scent. Lavandin contains a lot of camphor, which is the strong herbaceous smell you know from chest rubs and cold remedies.

Personally, I like the smell of both lavender oils. If you want a really pronounced lavender fragrance, definitely give lavandin a try.

Can I use another wax?

Yes, you can use other natural wax to make my homemade lavender candles recipe. Palm wax is an excellent alternative to soy wax. This wax has a higher melting point than soy wax, holds more fragrance, and burns more slowly.

How do I choose the correct wick?

The wick fuels the flame. Proper candle wicking is important to get the best burn performance and ensure you have a clean and even burn.

The wick size depends on the inside diameter of the candle container, the wax type, and the fragrance oil. The manufacturer or retailer will usually include information on the package or in the product description.

If the wick is too small, it won’t be able to sustain the flame. The candle will tunnel down in the center and put itself out.

If the wick is too large, the candle will be consumed pretty quickly. An oversized wick can also cause a huge, flickering flame, which is a fire hazard and gives off a lot of soot.

Can you put dried lavender in candles?

You will find many recipes for scented candles with dried lavender online. But is it safe to put dried herbs into candles?

The National Candle Association recommends not putting anything into your candles as this could be a fire hazard. Following this recommendation, I didn’t add lavender to my homemade soy candles.

Are lavender essential oil candles safe for kids?

Yes, lavender candles are safe to use around kids and babies over 6 months and older. Lavender does have the same relaxing effect on children as it has on adults. Lighting a DIY lavender candle around bedtime can help your child calm down and get sleepy.

If you introduce your baby or toddler to a new smell, see how they react to it. Any new sensation can be overwhelming at first, allowing them time to adjust to the scent and remove the candle if they become upset.

Are lavender essential oil candles safe for pets?

Let’s talk lavender candles and pet safety. Here’s what you need to know:

• Dogs: Lavender essential oil is safe for dogs. I found a study suggesting that the soothing smell of lavender may help dogs manage anxiety and insomnia. Despite being safe, your doggo may not like the smell. I recommend always leaving a door open when burning your lavender soy candle, so your furry friend can go into another room.
• Cats: Sadly, lavender essential oil is highly toxic for cats because felines lack the enzyme to metabolize the EO. However, the danger only arises if cats ingest pure lavender essential oil. Burning a lavender candle is relatively harmless. Again, see how your cat reacts to the lavender fragrance and give them the option to walk away.

Lavender candle storage instructions

How do I store DIY essential oil candles?

Store your DIY lavender soy candles in a cool, dry place, at room temperature or slightly below. A cupboard is a good place. For further protection, either put a lid on the candle container, or wrap the candle tightly in plastic wrap/clingfilm.

Avoid sunlight and any heat sources (e.g., radiators) as they will melt the wax and fade the scent and color faster.

Make sure to store your homemade candles away from children and anything that can catch fire easily.

How long do soy candles last?

Lavender essential oil lasts quite long, with an expected shelf life of up to 6 years. Soy wax usually expires after two years when stored properly.

However, the scent will begin to fade after 1 year, so I recommend that you use your DIY lavender candle within a year.