With the holidays upon us, now is the perfect time to make thoughtful gifts — like a homemade rosemary mint soy candle scented only with pure essential oils. This simple DIY is one of the easiest ways to make candles at home and yields a fresh, festive fragrance perfect for giving or enjoying yourself.
This rosemary mint candle strikes the right note of holiday cheer. Make a batch for a host gift, tuck one into a Christmas gift basket, or light one to create a cozy seasonal atmosphere.
Candle making is straightforward. The trickiest part is cleaning up melted wax — and this method keeps cleanup to a minimum. By melting wax inside jars placed in a crockpot, you avoid extra dishes and simplify the process.
It’s fun, it’s easy, and these candles smell wonderful. Here’s how to make them.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soothing scent: Rosemary and mint create a bright, refreshing aroma that works well for the holidays and year-round.
- Natural ingredients: You control what goes into the candle by using soy wax and pure essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances or paraffin.
- Cost effective: DIY candles cost much less than many high-end, all-natural candles while still delivering great scent and presentation.
- Customizable: Choose containers, swap oils, or add decorative touches to personalize each candle.
- Minimal cleanup: Melting wax directly in the jars inside a crockpot reduces mess and makes cleanup easy.
What Goes Into This Recipe
- Soy wax: Pellets are easiest to work with. If you have a block, grate it with a cheese grater so it melts faster.
- Wicks: Use the correct wick size for your container. Cotton or hemp, lead-free wicks are recommended.
- Essential oils: Rosemary and peppermint provide a bright, natural holiday scent.
- Containers: Heat-resistant glass jars (such as small mason jars) work well. You can also use tins, old candle jars, teacups, or small bowls as long as they tolerate heat.
- Crockpot: A crockpot creates a water bath to gently melt the wax in the jars. If you don’t have one, a double boiler works as an alternative.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can substitute beeswax for soy if you prefer beeswax candles; note that burn characteristics and scent throw differ between waxes.
- Swap essential oils to create different blends — lavender and wild orange are lovely alternatives.
How to Make Candles in a Crockpot
Step 1. Pour about 1 inch of water into the bottom of the crockpot.
Step 2. Pack soy wax pellets into your jars. Press them down so you can fit as much wax as possible into each container.
Step 3. Place the filled jars in the crockpot, cover with the lid, and set the heat to high.
Step 4. As the wax melts, top jars up with more pellets so the wax level remains about 1/4–1/2 inch below the jar rim.
Step 5. When the wax is fully melted, remove the jars carefully using hot pads. Let the wax cool slightly, then add about 20 drops of rosemary and 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to each 8-ounce jar (about 40 drops total per jar).
Step 6. Center the wick in each jar. Hold it in place with two skewers arranged in an “X,” or use metal wick holders or tape with a punched hole to secure the wick.
Step 7. Allow the candles to cool and harden undisturbed for 24–48 hours.
Step 8. Once the wax has fully set, trim the wick to about 1/2 inch. Your candles are ready to use or gift.
Expert Tips for Success
- Press dried flower petals against the inside of clear jars before pouring wax for a decorative touch. You can also add small embellishments after the wax cools.
- To add color or texture, stir in mica powder or cosmetic-grade glitter once the wax has cooled slightly but is still pourable.
- Add essential oils while the wax is still liquid but not scalding hot for the best scent retention. If the wax sets before you add oils, remelt gently.
- Trim wicks to about 1/2 inch for a steady, even burn. Cutting them much shorter can cause tunneling.
- Clean tools by wiping remaining wax with a paper towel first to avoid clogged drains.
How to Choose Candle Wick Size
Picks the right wick for a safe, even burn. A wick that’s too small causes tunneling; a wick that’s too large creates a flame that flickers excessively and may be hazardous. Consider the wax type, fragrance load, and jar diameter when choosing a wick. Most wick sellers list recommended container sizes — use those guidelines and test your candle before making a large batch.
Recipe FAQs
Essential oils are concentrated, but candles require a fair amount to throw scent. For an 8-ounce candle, plan on about 40 drops total (roughly 1/2–1 teaspoon), which works well with soy wax.
Rosemary and peppermint are a crisp, uplifting pair. Lavender with chamomile is a softer, calming combination. Feel free to experiment with blends you enjoy.
Use the proper wick size and make sure your first burn lasts long enough to liquefy the entire surface of the candle — this establishes an even melt pool and helps prevent tunneling. If tunneling occurs, trim the wick and allow longer burn sessions; leftover wax along the jar sides can be repurposed as wax melts.
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- Candle Dipping For Beginners
If you try this Rosemary Mint Soy Candle Recipe, please leave a star rating and share how it went in the comments. Happy candle making!
Rosemary Mint Soy Wax Candles
Equipment
- 2 mason jars, 8 oz
- Crockpot
- Tape, bamboo skewers, or metal wick holders
Ingredients
- 1 pound soy wax
- Candle wicks (appropriate size for jars)
- 40 drops rosemary essential oil (per 2 jars total: 20 drops each)
- 40 drops peppermint essential oil (per 2 jars total: 20 drops each)
Instructions
- Fill the bottom of the crockpot with 1″ of water.
- Pack wax pellets into the top of the mason jars, pressing down to fit as much as possible.
- Place jars into the crockpot, secure the lid, and set heat to high.
- As wax melts, add more pellets to keep the level about 1/4–1/2″ below the rim.
- When fully melted, carefully remove jars with hot pads and let them cool slightly.
- Add 20 drops rosemary and 20 drops peppermint essential oil to each jar.
- Center wicks and secure them with tape, skewers, or metal wick holders.
- Allow candles to harden 24–48 hours, then trim wicks to 1/2″.
Notes
- For visuals, refer to the step-by-step images earlier in the post.
- To hold a wick with tape: run a piece across the jar top, punch a hole in the center, and feed the wick through until it reaches the bottom then center it.
- Don’t trim your wick shorter than 1/2″ to avoid tunneling.
- Wipe tools with a paper towel to remove excess wax before rinsing to prevent clogged drains.
This recipe is for informational purposes and not intended as medical advice. Test and use ingredients responsibly.