An easy tutorial for making DIY Citronella Candles with herbs for your summer outdoor entertaining. They smell wonderful, and repel mosquitoes + flying pests naturally.
You all know how I feel about herbs…I love them. I love candles too, and these citronella herb floating candles are the perfect blend of both. Not only do they keep the bugs away, they look and smell just lovely, and no candle making skills are needed! I can’t decide what makes me happier…their scent, or how pretty they looked lined up on my table. They make spending time outdoors pleasant and bug-free.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.
Supplies For 4 Candles
- Gather 4 quart size mason jars and 4 floating candles. It’s best to use wide mouth mason jars because they allow room for a bigger candle. Any kind of clear bowl or pitcher can also be used.
- Harvest fresh herbs. Rosemary, basil, thyme, mint, and bay leaf are perfect. Eucalyptus and lavender are good additions as well.
- Cut one lemon into slices and one lime into quarters. (Each jar gets two slices of lemon and one lime wedge.)
- The best essentials oils to use in these citronella candles are citronella oil, lemongrass, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus.
Assembly Instructions
- Herbs. These go in the bottom of the jar.
- Add water. (Fill to an inch below the lid rings.)
- Add 20 drops of essential oil.
- Gently stir the water and essential oil together.
- Add one lime wedge.
- Add two lemon slices.
- Place the floating candle on top. (Double check that the wick is in good shape before adding the candle to the jar.)
How Long Do These Candles Last?
These DIY homemade citronella candles last for about 3 days before the herbs and citrus start to go bad. If you make them up on Friday, they will last for the entire weekend.
How Do You Dispose of These Candles?
- Pour the jar contents down the garbage disposal (a little at a time) and put the glass jars in the dishwasher. (Not the candle of course!)
- Remove the candle. Drain the water from the jar. Place the remaining jar contents in the trash. Put the jars in the dishwasher.
These mosquito repellent candles add the prettiest ambiance to any outdoor deck or patio, and they take just a few minutes to put together. The natural ingredients in these candles let you avoid bug sprays, and they keep the insects away. If you don’t have herbs of your own, just pick them up in the produce area of your grocery store, when you’re shopping for the lemons and limes!
JOIN THE OSP COMMUNITY
Sign up to get uncomplicated recipes, unlimited seasonal decor, and
understated ways to refresh your home sent straight to your email inbox!
More Ideas for Using Fresh Herbs
- Rosemary Parmesan Chicken
- Oven Roasted Crispy Potatoes
- Simple Arrangements Using Herbs & Garden Flowers
Catching up on your blog, I came across “Citronella Herb Floating Candles.” I love this idea but would need to purchase herbs in the produce section. So… what’s the best way to store herbs? Refridgerator? Freezer? Or better to just keep at room temp? How long will they last?
I think these would work indoors as well, just as lovely fragrant floating candles. Do you think they would even need the essential oil(s)?
Always appreciate your beautiful photos and informative DIY ideas.
Thanks, Ann.
Just found Alton Brown’s (Cooking Channel) excellent tutorial for FRESH HERB STORAGE in the refrigerator.
Hi Laurie! Glad you found the info about storing herbs. If you use the candles indoors, you definitely would not need the Bug Off oil. You could use rosemary or citrus essential oil instead for added aroma. Hope this helps!
Gorgeous, Ann! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, can’t wait to make these! They are beautiful and our mosquitoes are hungry.
Thanks, Ann!
Hi Ann~
How long will the mixture last?
I really like the idea of using fresh ingredients instead of spraying your area or yourself with bug spray.
Thanks so much for this blog.
Have a great day
Rose
If you don’t leave them outside, they last about three days. Thanks!
Beautiful and functional! You’ve got such great ideas Ann. Thanks so much for sharing!
I LOVE this idea! I may share with my bloggers. Thank you for continuing to come up with innovative ideas for herb uses.
Pickle jars work well also!
These are great ideas, you are always coming up with really neat ideas. Will try, if it ever gets cooler here at night.
I’m going to try this!
So pretty and easy to make.