Why we don't use dried flowers in our candles

There is something undeniable about scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram and seeing those stunning, rustic candles topped with lavender buds, rose petals, and cinnamon sticks.

It looks ethereal, natural, and incredibly cosy. However, you might have noticed that despite the trend, we have made a conscious decision regarding dried flowers in candles: we simply don’t use them.

While it might seem like a missed opportunity for a beautiful photo, our priority will always be your safety and the performance of your candle.

It’s a conversation we have often, so we wanted to sit down and explain exactly why we keep our wax clean and why it matters for your home.

The problem with botanical inclusions

On the shelf, a candle loaded with dried herbs and petals looks harmless. It’s just a bit of nature, right? The issue arises the moment you light the wick.

Candles work by melting wax, which travels up the wick to fuel the flame.

As the wax melts, it creates a "melt pool."

If you have dried flowers in candles, those botanical elements don't stay put.

As the wax liquefies, petals and buds often detach from the sides or the top and float into the melt pool.

Eventually, they migrate toward the hottest part of the candle: the flame.

This is where the aesthetic appeal quickly turns into a significant fire hazard.

Why dried flowers act like kindling

Think about how you start a campfire. You use dry leaves, twigs, and paper because they catch fire easily.

Unfortunately, dried flowers in a candle act exactly the same way.

When a rose petal or a sprig of rosemary touches the candle flame, it doesn't just singe, it can ignite.

This creates a secondary flame.

Suddenly, instead of one controlled wick burning, you have several floating pieces of debris on fire. This can cause:

• Uncontrolled flames: The fire can become much larger than the container is designed to handle.

• Glass shattering: The excess heat from multiple flames can cause glass jars to crack or explode.

• Soot and smoke: Burning organic matter produces heavy black smoke, ruining the clean scent you bought the candle for.

Safety Note: A candle is a controlled fire. Adding flammable items essentially turns it into an uncontrolled fire waiting to happen.

Interpreting the "Pinterest vs. Reality" gap

We know that many DIY enthusiasts and some makers still produce these candles.

You might wonder, "If they are so dangerous, why are they sold?"

The reality is that social media often captures the before, not the during.

A photo of an unlit botanical candle is beautiful. A video of one that has been burning for two hours, with the petals catching fire, is a very different story.

In the UK, candle safety standards and insurance requirements are quite strict.

Most professional chandlers (candle makers) avoid inclusions because they cannot pass standard safety testing.

We believe that a luxury candle experience isn't just about how it looks on the shelf; it's about how it performs in your home.

We want you to be able to relax with a book or a bath, not hover over your candle with a fire extinguisher nearby.

How we ensure a safe, clean burn

Because we don't use solid botanicals inside our wax, we focus on other ways to bring the essence of nature into your home.

Here is how we ensure you get the beauty without the risk:

High-quality fragrance oils

Instead of putting a dried lemon slice in the wax, we use premium, candle optimised fragrance oils that perfectly capture the scent of citrus. This gives you a consistent scent throw from the first light to the very last inch of wax, without any burning carbon smells.

The perfect wick

We test our wicks relentlessly. By keeping the wax free of debris, we ensure the wick doesn't get clogged.

A clogged wick can lead to "tunneling" (where the wax doesn't melt to the edges) or the flame drowning out. 

Our clean wax ensures a steady, bright, and long-lasting burn.

Styling safely

We love flowers just as much as you do! We suggest styling your home by placing a vase of fresh or dried flowers near your candle (but at a safe distance, naturally).

This way, you get the visual texture and the lovely aroma without compromising on fire safety.

What to look for when buying candles

If you are shopping around and want to ensure you are buying a safe product, here is a quick checklist of things to look out for. A safe candle should generally have:

1. Clean wax: The surface should be smooth and free of glitter, petals, or coffee beans.

2. Warning labels: In the UK, look for the CLP label (usually on the bottom). It lists allergens and safety pictograms.

3. Centred wick: The wick should be in the middle to prevent the glass from overheating on one side.

We hope this sheds some light on why we made the choice to keep our candles simple and clean.

While dried flowers in candles can look lovely in a photograph, the risk of them catching fire simply isn't worth it.

We are committed to providing you with products that are as safe as they are beautiful. We prefer to let the high-quality wax and incredible fragrances speak for themselves, ensuring you can relax with total peace of mind.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a botanical candle? Let us know in the comments below, or share this post with a friend who loves home decor!