TOP 4 FLORAL SCENTS FOR CANDLES

Table of Contents

SUMMARY

Floral scents, as the name suggests, are inspired by flowers. Nature offers us an impressive variety of fragrant flowers that are used in scent creation.  They are appreciated for their colorful beauty and intoxicating aromas. The central theme of a floral scent can be based on one flower, or a combination of different flowers. As a leading candle manufacturer, Karl Winters explores the top 4 floral scents for candles.

THE AROMATIC WORLD OF FLOWERS

We’ve all purchased fresh flowers for that special occasion. They are one of the best things to have in your home due to their striking beauty, intriguing textures, and vibrant colors. What makes them that much more special is their aromatic bloom. Whether its roses, hyacinth, or jasmine, each flower each has a unique and distinctive aromatic identity. For example, lily of the valley enjoys a subtle sweet scent, whereas gardenia is more intoxicating with zesty green notes.

WHAT ARE FLORAL SCENTS

More than a thousand years ago, the Persian physician Ibn Sina discovered a novel way to distill roses into aromatic oils. Rose flowers were heated and the scented oil water vapor collected and distilled. This old technique of capturing flower essential oils paved the way for more modern distillation techniques that’s used in perfumery today.

FLORAL FAMILY​

Of the 4 fragrance families, the most popular and diverse is the floral family. With a wide range of ingredients, the scents of the floral family are described as “feminine”, “abstract” or “powdery”. Classic ingredients in this family include: rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, tuberose, and violet. Many of these florals are used to represent fresh, bright aromas of Spring and Summer.

DESCRIBING FLORAL SCENTS

Though floral scents are classified under one family, perfumers can further group them into subcategories based on their notes. The 3 most common sub-categories: powdery flowers like iris and mimosa; rosy flowers include the likes of rose, peony and geranium. White flowers are another sub-category that includes the likes of jasmine, orange blossom, and lily of the valley. They are also known as narcotic flowers and tend to evoke femininity and sensuality.

EXCITING & VERSATILE

The versatility of the floral family is what makes them so exciting. With an impressive variety of flowers found in nature, their scents are totally different from one to another.  Also, many floral scents can be combined with fragrances from other families to create an entirely unique olfactive experience. Emerging brands are transforming the traditional rose scent to bolder creations that appeal to men and women. Another example is the white sensual flower of jasmine that is combined with juicy fruits or crispy citrus notes, creating a more energetic, youthful and unisex scent.

POPULARITY OF FLORAL SCENTS

Floral scents have become extremely popular as luxury fragrance oils for candles and diffusers. Two prominent florals – jasmine and rose – are used as the main theme of a fragrance or they’re blended with other families.  While one may not like a particular floral scent like rose, mixing it with other warm scents such as sandalwood or oud may have an entirely different result. This is yet another example of the versatility of floral fragrances.

RELAXING CANDLE SCENTS

Some of the best relaxing candle scents are found within the floral category. Essential oils extracted from flowers such as lavender, chamomile, rose and jasmine offer medicinal benefits that can help improve your skin and wellbeing. For example, lavender essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy for the treatment of stress and anxiety.

THE PERFECT SPRING SCENT

Choosing a candle scent according to the season is very common among European and North American countries, particularly Canada. While flowering plants bloom across all four seasons, many of the fragrant ones bloom during springtime. This includes flowers such as iris, lily of the valley, rose, peony, and lilac. We associate springtime floral scents with freshness, renewal and freedom. Many scented candles with a floral scent are designed to celebrate everything what spring stands for.

CANDLE GIFTING

Floral candles are perfect gifts to anyone that appreciates candles in their homes.  Because of their natural essences, floral candles are also popular as wellbeing gifts.  For Valentine’s Day, a bouquet of roses is a classical gift, but floral candles with decorative packaging have gained in popularity.  In particular, the best rose candles have put a unique spin on the beautiful and timeless scent of rose, catering to many scent preferences. Ranging from flowery and sweet to woodsy and musky, you’re bound to find a rose candle for that special occasion.

TOP 4 FLORAL SCENTS FOR CANDLES

With such a diverse number of floral scents, choosing the best candle scent can be a bewildering experience. Below, Karl Winters explores the top 4 floral scents for candles

HEALTH BENEFITS

Lavender can be distilled into essential oils, which is known to promote calmness and relaxation. Its extensively used in aromatherapy treatments and can be found in self-care products such as soaps and lotions. Spas incorporate lavender in many of their treatments and offer lavender spa candles for stress relief.

LAVENDER CANDLES​

LAVENDER SCENT

People recognize lavender by its purple color and its distinct aromatic scent. With more than 45 known species of the flowering plant, it commonly grows in Europe, around the Mediterranean, and in Asia. The scent of lavender is described as aromatic floral with herbal influences, but it does vary from one region to another. For example, the aroma of English lavender is lighter and sweeter than French Lavender, which is stronger with piney notes.

SCENTS THAT BLEND WITH LAVENDER CANDLES

Lavender has always been an inspiring floral scent used in many candle brands.  When it’s not used as the main scent theme, lavender can play a supportive role, blending well with certain floral, herbal or spicy notes. Lavender candles mixed with bergamot gives a spicy and citrusy twist, whereas lily of the valley is more sweet, floral, and green. Vanilla introduces a fresh sweetness that produces an intoxicating scent.  Introducing orange blossom creates a clear, floral scent that is reminiscent of the Spring season.

DIPTYQUE LAVENDER LEAF CANDLE

A subtle and refreshing lavender candle that evokes warm sunny days in Spring. The relaxing aromas of this lavender candle captures the lavender fields of Provence, and is perfect as a night time candle.

ROSE CANDLES ​

ROSE SCENT

Smelling the scent of roses is a magical experience, instilling an essence of calm and raised spirits. There are over 300 rose varieties which are commonly grown in countries like Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, and Morocco. Of all the varieties, rosa damascena is considered “the queen of flowers”: its renowned for its perfect pink color and high-quality rose aroma. The scent is described as deep, sweet, floral with soft spicy undertones. Perfumers use this rose oil in a number of ways – as part of a floral bouquet, or combined with spices, woods, musk and amber.

ROSE OIL IS EXPENSIVE

Rose oil is one of the most expensive essential oils in the market. This is because the flowers must be harvested by hand and the production process is quite complex. 1 kg of rose is extracted from 3 to 5 tons of rose flower, and the price of the oil averages 8,000 USD. To offset this high price, many rose scented products use a cheaper synthetic oil that has similar scent characteristics.

ROSE GETS A MODERN MAKEOVER

A new genre of avant-garde brands are transforming the rose into a modern and exciting fragrance used in rose candles. Gone are the days of cheap synthetic rose scents – being replaced with rich quality extracts from rosa damascena and centifolia. Brands are also developing new rose combinations with intense woody facets like oud, saffron, and patchouli. Alternatively, combining the freshness of bergamot, neroli, or grapefruit produces a more delicate variety of rose candles. With an endless number of possibilities, rose has become an appealing scent for new candle brands.

TOM FORD ROSE PRICK CANDLE​

The Tom Ford Rose Prick candle was introduced in 2020 and is inspired by Tom’s very own rose garden. A gorgeous composition of rosa centifolia, Turkish and Bulgarian roses that come together to exceed all expectations.  The rose notes are enriched with warm notes of tonka and patchouli to create a sophisticated floral ambiance for that special occasion. Karl Winters’ personal favorite of luxury rose candles.

JO MALONE VELVET ROSE & OUD CANDLE​

Part of Jo Malone’s private collection, this delightful rose candle is based on rose damascena. Blended with oud and the sweetness of honey, this darker rose candle is warmed with woody notes. Perfect for a special cold evening in Winter or Fall.

JASMINE CANDLES​

SCENT OF JASMINE

Along with rose, jasmine is an important ingredient commonly used to make fragrances. Often referred to as “le fleur”, there are over 450 jasmine varieties that is grown in countries like India, Morocco, France and Egypt. Part of the white flower sub-category, jasmine scent is described as floral, sweet, slightly green and animalic. With its naturally floral aroma, jasmine candles are perfect for the warmer Summer months. Alternatively, jasmine is quite versatile, and can be combined with other scent families to create new and rich fragrances.

JASMINE HEALTH BENEFITS

The health benefits of Jasmine essential oil is well documented in aromatherapy. Research suggests that Jasmine has a positive influence on the nervous system and has been used as a natural remedy for depression. In the Orients, its been considered an effective aphrodisiac that has been used to enhance sex drive.

JASMINE SCENTED CANDLES

Jasmine is a predominantly floral scent, with occasional variations towards musky, animalic and green notes. Egyptian jasmine is known for its sensual and fresh scent, whereas Jasmine from Grasse is greener with animalic notes. The best jasmine candles are developed by blending jasmine with scent ingredients that offer a completely new olfactory experience. Examples of jasmine pairings include frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, neroli, and bergamot.

DIPTYQUE JASMINE CANDLE​

This Diptyque candle offers a fresh bouquet of jasmine flowers with warm milky notes of sandalwood. It’s a white floral scent where Jasmine takes the center stage. A thoughtful gift for anyone that appreciates the aroma of white flowers like Jasmine.

GARDENIA CANDLES

GARDENIA SCENT

Gardenias are among the most beloved fragrances in the garden world, emitting a powerful scent from their white flowers. A single blossom is enough to scent a room for house. The gardenia plant is native to Asian countries like China and Pakistan, tropical regions of Africa and Hawaii. The white satiny petals give off their intoxicating fragrance in springtime, especially in the evenings. To extract the fragrance oils, petals are picked and put through an advanced steam distillation process. The resulting gardenia scent is described as buttery and creamy, a heady, luxurious scent that is unique among all fragrance flowers.

NEW BLENDS OF GARDENIA

Candles scented candles evoke the joyful seasons of spring and summer. The candle is perfect for those floral lovers who like a heady scent. Just as with other rose, brands are experimenting with new blends to give the gardenia a modern twist. To recreate a garden of flowers, the creaminess of gardenia can be mixed with classical florals such as rose, tuberose and jasmine. Adding warm woody notes of sandalwood and vetiver produces an earthy and mysterious variation. Another approach is mixing bright citrus elements such as bergamot and mandarin to evoke summertime and the ocean.

VOLUSPA GARDENIA COLONIA CANDLE​

This Voluspa candle is known to make a floral statement within any room. The exotic scent of gardenia is blended with jasmine and iris, giving rose a rich floral bouquet. This combination of florals is balanced with warm oriental amber notes, creating a smooth velvety experience.