DIY Citronella Candle in a Planter

This is a DIY I’ve been wanting to do for a while and I’m so happy I finally got around to making them! I combined a variety of bug-repelling essential oils in this beeswax based candle and the smell is amazing! I think having them housed in terra cotta pots (or other small planters) is a fun touch for the outdoor space. See below for how to make your own!

Makes 2 8.5oz candles or 1 17oz candle.

Materials:

• 16 oz organic beeswax pellets

• 3/4C coconut oil

• pots

• hemp wick

• metal wick sustainer tabs

• essential oils (I used citronella, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary, geranium and lavender)

• skewers or pencil to hold wick in place

• pot

• cooking thermometer

• pliers

• drainage hole cover (optional if wick tab covers hole)

• wick cutter

Instructions:

1. Pour your beeswax pellets and coconut oil into your pot.

2. On medium heat, melt down until you reach 170º, then turn off heat.

3. Let cool in pot until you reach about 140º.

4. While your letting it cool, prepare your candle holders. Cut your string long enough that you can wrap it around your skewer to hold in place (see photo below). Place through the wick tab and clamp the tab with pliers so the wick stays put. Place wick tab over pot hole. Wrap wick around skewer and place across top to hold in place.

5. When wax reaches 140º, add in your essential oils. You are gong to want a total of about 120 drops. Here is the breakdown of mine:
   30 drops lemon eucalyptus
   25 drops citronella
   20 drops geranium
   30 drop lavender
   15 drops rosemary

6. Gently mix

7. Pour mixture into your pots.

8. Move wick into place so it sets in the middle.

9. Place in refrigerator, preferably for two days.

10. Trim wick with wick cutter down to size.

11. Enjoy!