Skip to Content

Make your own Citrus Candles

Hi friends!  Fresh lemons and limes are not only great ingredients for all those delicious Summer recipes but can also be used for fun DIY projects such as these cool citrus candles.

Lit candle made from a lemon rind on a glass outdoor patio table

Make Your Own Citrus Candles with Lemons and Limes

This time of year, I tend to have fresh lemons and limes in our house more than any other time of year. Whether it’s for adding some zest to this quick zucchini bread with red currants or as a topper to this refreshing mint and lemon infused linden iced tea, they are always on hand for some simple seasonal recipes.

We came across these fun candles made from lemons a few years ago, and have been wanting to share the idea with you ever since! We think you’ll agree they make an adorable addition to any outdoor BBQ decor. Simply scatter them about your backyard tablescape and soak in the fresh Summer vibes!

Two lemon rind candles surrounded by green limes on a white backdrop

Or add them to your back patio along with these eleven other simple patio decorating ideas as well as these fun lemon and lime painted rocks (post coming soon). 

Supplies Needed for these DIY Citrus Candles (makes 4):

“Disclosure:  This post also contains affiliate links (indicated with *) for your shopping convenience. You find our full disclosure here.”

Lemons, limes, paraffin candles, bowl, knife and spoon to make DIY citrus candles

How to Make Citrus Candles:

Cut each fruit in half (crosswise).  To help keep the candle sitting flat on the table when done, trim off a thin slice off the bottom half of the fruit.

Scoop out the center of the cut fruit to create a little bowl.

Remove the wick from the candles and place into center of bowl.

Place the rest of the wax candle in a microwaveable bowl. Carefully heat until melted.

Pour the melted wax into the citrus bowls with wick positioned vertically in the center. Hold the wick in place for about 30 seconds while the wax hardens. Leave them to cool and harden completely.

citrus candles

Add a few drops of your favourite essential oils, such as this grapefruit and lemon essential oil* for a lovely scent, or as another alternative you can use beeswax to make the candles. We recently used beeswax to make these pear-shaped candles.

Set the mood with your new citrus candles! To keep them fresh for longer place them in a plastic bag in the fridge between uses.

citrus candles

For more simple, nature-inspired DIY ideas for your patio, download our free Summer Patioscape Guide!

Free 8-page Cozy Patio Oasis guide

How’s your Summer going so far?

Note: This creative lemon lime votive candle project originally appeared on Crafts By Amanda.

Like it? Pin it for later!

Candle made with a lemon peel on a glass patio table

Candles made from repurposed lemon rinds

DIY Citrus Candles

Jane and Sonja
Making lemonade? Don't throw away those lemon rinds! Use them to make your own pretty citrus candles.
5 from 2 votes
Servings 4 candles

Materials
  

  • 2 large white paraffin votive candles (or use beeswax or soy melts)
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lime
  • 1 Microwaveable bowl
  • 1 Metal spoon, scissors, knife

Instructions
 

  • Cut each fruit in half (crosswise). Scoop out fruit.
  • Remove the wick from the paraffin candles and place into center of citrus bowls.
  • Place the candle wax in a microwaveable bowl. Carefully heat until melted.
  • Pour the melted wax into the citrus bowls with wick positioned vertically in the center.
  • Let cool and harden completely.
Keyword candles, lemons
Like this craft? Leave some stars!& mention @SustainMyCraftHabit or tag #sustainmycrafthabit on Instagram!
Tutorial Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Paloma

Wednesday 6th of May 2020

Is there any way to preserve these citrus cups so that they will last longer and could potential he be used and made for resale? I saw that you can use citrus slices in an oven at 250°C for 2 to 2 1/2 hours and dry them and use them as either an embed or attachment to pillar candles. Is there a way to treat this citrus candle bowl ?

Jane and Sonja

Thursday 7th of May 2020

Hi Paloma, That's a great question. I'd imagine baking the rind would sort of shrivel and dry it up. That could look pretty also. I wonder also if a silica powder, like what's used for preserving flowers, might work. Jane

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.