Brooke Martin
Burning candles near plants is possible but requires caution. The ideal distance between a candle and a plant is unclear, but some sources suggest that a distance of three and a half feet is sufficient. When burning candles near plants, it is important to consider the potential impact of heat, smoke, and fire hazards. Smoke from candles can harm a plant's respiratory system, and scented candles may interfere with a plant's natural fragrance.
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What You'll Learn
Distance between candle and plant for safety
Keeping candles and plants close together can be hazardous to the plants. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when placing candles near plants:
Heat
Candles produce heat, and if placed too close to plants, this heat can damage or dry out the leaves and flowers. This is especially true for plants with delicate foliage or those that prefer cooler temperatures. It is recommended to keep candles at a safe distance from plants, ensuring they do not touch. If possible, it is best to keep them in separate areas.
Smoke
Burning candles produce smoke, and if blown directly towards plants, it can harm their respiratory system and cause damage. Proper ventilation is essential to minimise the impact of smoke on plants.
Scented Candles
Plants might absorb the candle fragrance, which can interfere with their natural scent. If using scented candles near plants, ensure the fragrance does not negatively affect the plant's scent.
Fire Hazard
Leaving candles unattended or placing them too close to flammable items, including plants, poses a fire hazard. It is crucial to never leave a burning candle unattended and to keep it away from anything that might catch fire.
General Candle Safety
In addition to the specific considerations when placing candles near plants, it is important to follow general candle safety guidelines:
- Keep candles at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart to prevent them from melting each other or creating drafts that affect the flame.
- Do not burn candles in a draught or near a heat source.
- Place candles upright and on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Trim the wick to the recommended length before lighting the candle to prevent uneven burning, dripping, or flaring.
- Keep the wax pool clear of any debris.
- Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use, ensuring it is heat-resistant and large enough to contain any wax drips.
- Extinguish the candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly.
- Never use water to extinguish a candle, as it can cause hot wax to splatter. Instead, use a candle snuffer or let the candle burn out on its own.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
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Using plants in candles for fragrance
Making scented candles using plants from your garden is a fun and easy DIY project. You can choose natural waxes, such as beeswax or soy wax, and add your own aromatic herbs for fragrance and decoration.
Preparing the plants
To use plants in your candles, start by drying the plant material thoroughly to prevent mildew. Finely chop or crush the herbs to release their fragrance. You can also steep the chopped herbs in hot wax for a period of time, then strain the wax before making the candle. Alternatively, add the herbs to the candle as it is poured, keeping them away from the wick to prevent them from catching fire.
Choosing your plants
Aromatic herbs, such as lavender, rosemary, and mint, are popular choices for candles. Lavender elicits calmness and reduces anxiety, while rosemary can be grown in a container or in the garden as a perennial shrub. Harvest rosemary leaves before the plant blooms for the richest aroma. Mint provides a clean, fresh fragrance and makes a great holiday gift.
Other options include chamomile, which has a daisy-like flower, and lemon verbena, a lemon-scented perennial shrub that releases a citrus scent when its leaves are touched. You can also experiment with other fragrant plants, such as California bay laurel, or use essential oils and fragrance oils to scent your candles.
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Using plants in candles for decoration
Choosing the right plants
When choosing plants to use in candles, it is important to consider their decorative value and their fragrance. Aromatic herbs, like those used in aromatherapy, are popular, as are herbs that evoke emotion. Flowers bring a gentle fragrance inside the home, and many types of leaves can be used to decorate the outside of the candle.
Some popular plants to use in candles include:
- Lavender: One of the most popular choices for dried herbs in candles, lavender elicits calmness and reduces anxiety.
- Rosemary: Like lavender, rosemary can be used for both fragrance and as a design element in candles. Harvest the leaves before the plant blooms for the richest aroma.
- Chamomile: With its daisy-like flower, chamomile imparts both aroma and decorative value to candle-making. Harvest chamomile flowers midday when they are fully open, but after the dew has dried.
- Lemon verbena: This lemon-scented perennial shrub releases a fresh citrus scent every time its leaves are touched. Harvest and dry lemon verbena leaves individually on screens.
- Mint: Homemade peppermint-scented candles make for a great holiday table centerpiece or Christmas gift. Spearmint-scented candles offer a clean, fresh fragrance that can be burned year-round.
You can also forage for wild plants to use in your candles, such as California bay laurel leaves. However, it is important to be certain of your identification of any wild plants you collect and to avoid causing harm to the environment.
Preparing the plants
Before adding plants to your candles, it is important to thoroughly dry the plant material to prevent mildew. To release their fragrance, herb plants can be finely chopped or crushed. Some candle makers prefer to steep the chopped herbs in hot wax before making the candle, while others add the chopped herbs to the candle as it is poured.
Adding plants to your candles
When adding plants to your candles, it is important to keep larger pieces away from the wick to prevent them from catching fire or sparking. Adding sprigs of leaves and small flower stems around the edge of the candle while it is being poured works best for wide, clear candle jars.
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Plants that can grow under candlelight
Light is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants. All plants require light to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy through photosynthesis. However, different plants need different levels of light. Some plants can tolerate lower light growing conditions, but more light may be required for dense foliage and flowering.
While candlelight can provide some light for plants, it may not be sufficient for optimal growth. Candlelight produces light in the red and infrared ranges of the visible spectrum, while chlorophyll, the primary chemical used by plants to generate energy, has the highest light absorption in the blue/purple and red ranges. Given enough candles, it may be possible to produce enough light energy for a plant to survive. However, it is doubtful that candlelight can provide photons with sufficient amplitude to power photosynthesis to the same extent as natural sunlight.
To successfully grow plants under candlelight, it is essential to choose plants with low light requirements. One example of a low-light plant is Dracaena trifasciata, commonly known as the snake plant. Snake plants are native to Africa, Madagascar, and Asia, where they grow as understory plants underneath the branches of larger plants. They can tolerate low-light conditions and are suitable for north-facing windows or fairly dark corners.
Another plant that may be able to grow under candlelight is the Candle Plant (Baculellum articulatum), which is native to South Africa. The Candle Plant has unique, arrow-shaped leaves with a velvety texture and blue-green and purple tones. While it prefers bright sunlight, it may be able to survive under candlelight if provided with enough candles to produce sufficient light energy. However, it is important to note that the Candle Plant has specific care requirements, including well-drained soil and infrequent watering to prevent rot.
In conclusion, while it is theoretically possible for plants to grow under candlelight, it may be challenging to provide sufficient light energy solely through candles. Choosing low-light plants, such as snake plants or Candle Plants, can increase the chances of success. However, supplemental artificial lighting may be necessary to ensure healthy plant growth and promote flowering.
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How to measure light intensity for plants
Light is essential for plants to generate energy and grow. Chlorophyll, the primary chemical used by plants to generate energy, absorbs light in the blue/purple and red ranges of the visible spectrum. The amount of light a plant receives depends on the duration of unobstructed sun exposure and the total visible area of the sky.
There are several ways to measure light intensity for plants. Here are some methods:
Quick Eye Test
This method involves holding your hand up at the brightest time of the day, usually around noon, and observing the shadow cast. High light conditions will produce crisp, well-defined shadows with stark contrast, while low light will result in faint shadows with unclear outlines. However, this method is imprecise as the human eye automatically compensates for brightness, making our judgement of light levels deceptive.
Smart Device Applications
Light meter applications for smartphones can provide a more accurate measurement of light intensity. For example, the iPhone's Light Meter app can measure foot candles, a unit of light measurement, for $1.99. Most other light meter apps measure in LUX, which can be easily converted to foot candles using a conversion factor.
Light Meter Instrument
A physical light meter instrument can be purchased for around $35 to measure light intensity. This device will provide a precise reading of the light levels in your environment, helping you determine the appropriate lighting conditions for your plants.
Shadow Observation
At the brightest time of day, observe the shadows cast by objects in your environment. Well-defined shadows indicate high light intensity, while soft or diffused shadows suggest lower light levels.
Lux and Foot-Candle Conversion
Lux and foot-candles are units of measurement for light intensity. To convert from lux to foot-candles, multiply your total lux value by 0.0929 to obtain the equivalent measurement in foot-candles.
By utilizing these methods and understanding the light requirements of your plants, you can ensure they receive the optimal light intensity for healthy growth.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to place candles at a safe distance from plants to avoid any fire hazards. If possible, keep them in separate areas.
Burning candles produce smoke, which can harm the plant's respiratory system.
Scented candles may interfere with a plant's natural scent. It is recommended to avoid using scented candles near plants unless they contain essential oils that promote plant growth.
Ensure proper ventilation in the room and keep the plants' leaves clean and well-maintained.
Yes, you can use melted wax to enjoy the fragrance without producing smoke, which may be harmful to your plants.
