Lemon + Citronella Beeswax Candles

Citronella candles made in lemons!

These candles are made with natural and biodegradable ingredients and are aesthetically pleasing and functional.

I've been making beeswax candles for a little over four years and love their sweet honey smell and aura. Candlemaking has become a passion of mine, and I plan to share more tutorials in the future. Stay tuned!

You don't need to be an experienced candle maker to make beeswax candles at home. You just need some equipment, wicks, and beeswax to get started.

I wanted to make these candles to bring outdoors and camping. The whole candle is biodegradable and will leave little to no waste.

Lemon + Citronella Beeswax Candles

Components:

• Beeswax: You may be able to source beeswax from local beekeepers. If not, you can order beeswax online. I've purchased this brand from Amazon a few times and have been pleased with the product. 

• Cotton Wicks: Use a natural wick, such as cotton or hemp. Cut the wicks, dip them into warm wax, and allow them to cool. 

• Essential Oils: I used a mixture of citronella and lemon eucalyptus essential oils. Both oils are known to keep pesky bugs away! I added 20 drops of each oil to the beeswax. 

• Lemons: You will need a few lemons. Make sure to keep the lemon juice for another recipe!

The amount of beeswax needed will depend on how many lemons you plan to fill. I started with 2 cups of beeswax and had plenty left after making these candles. 

Crafting:

1. Cut your lemons in half and use a spoon to remove the flesh. 

2. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler. Note: A double boiler is a pot that sits in a larger pot full of water. The water is heated and simmered, and the wax gently melts in the top pot. 

3. Once the beeswax melts, remove the pot from the heat.

4. Add the essential oils to the melted beeswax and stir with a wooden stick. 

5. Pour beeswax into each lemon half. The wax pouring temp should be around 160 °F.

6. Let the wax cool slightly. Then, insert the wicks into each lemon. 

Notes & Disclaimer:

• The lemons will degrade quickly, so these candles should be used within a few days of making. 

• Trim the wicks to 1/8' before lighting. Burn the candles on a heat-safe surface, preferably on a plate. 

• Don't leave candles burning unattended. 

Downloadable recipe PDF & video tutorial below!

Lemon + Citronella Candles Recipe Card

264KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

---

About The Herbal Crafter

My name is Tiffany, and I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and three kids. I have been blogging about food and natural living for over 14 years. I sold my website in 2022 to focus on other hobbies and to learn more about herbalism and aromatherapy.

I'm currently enrolled in The Herbal Academy's Intermediate Herbal Course and hope to take the Advanced course in 2025.

I created this substack to share my herbal recipes, plant-based creations, and foraging finds.

• Follow Me on Instagram

• Follow Me on YouTube

• Follow Me on TikTok