How to Make Wax Myrtle Candles: A Festive DIY Project

Have you ever thought of making your own candles from nature’s bounty? Are you looking for a DIY project that connects you with nature and lights up your home? How about making wax myrtle candles? This DIY project inspires your surroundings and ignites a connection with nature. 

Wax myrtle, or bayberry as it’s commonly known, is a plant native to the eastern United States. This plant not only adds beauty to the landscape but also offers a practical use. Its berries are used to make candles. Let’s dive into the art of transforming wax myrtle berries into beautiful, fragrant candles that bring a piece of the wild indoors.

Guide on How to Crafting Wax Myrtle Candles

Wax myrtle, or bayberry, is more than just a plant; it’s a beacon of light waiting to come alive in your hands. So, are you ready to venture on this informative journey? Here’s a simple guide on how to create your wax myrtle candles.

Gather Your Supplies

Here are the materials you’ll need to gather for making wax myrtle candles:

• A broomstick or dowel
• Two wooden chairs
• Wicks
• A substantial amount of bayberries 

Gathering Bayberries

First,  collect bayberries from the wax myrtle plant. Gather four cups of berries, ensuring that you remove the fruit from the branches. These berries are smaller than black peppercorns and contain a natural wax. Be cautious of potential creepy crawlies living among the berries.

Set Up Your Workspace

Next, prepare your workspace. Assure it’s clean and free of any rubble. Also, designate a specific area for dipping the candles and another for drying them.

Extract the Wax

Now, it’s time to extract the wax from the bayberries. Place the berries in a large pot filled with water. Bring it to a boil. The wax will naturally separate from the berries and float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to skim off the wax and transfer it to a separate pot. Heat this pot until the wax becomes completely liquid.

Craft Your Candles

With your wax prepared, you’re ready to start crafting your candles. Cut candle wicks to the desired length, plus an extra 4 inches for tying. Dip the wick into the melted wax, then quickly dip it into cold water to set the wax. 

Repeat the dipping process 30 to 40 times until the candle reaches the desired thickness. Trim the bottom of the candle for easy fitting into a candle holder, and tie the wick to a dowel or broomstick for drying. After cutting the wick and smoothing the candle bottom, let it cure for a few hours before use. 

Enjoy Your Handmade Candles

Once your candles are dry, they’re ready to be enjoyed. Whether you use them in your home or give them as gifts, these candles carry a unique charm and a delightful natural scent.

Benefits of wax myrtle

Sure, here are the benefits of wax myrtle.

• It’s a popular choice for landscaping due to its dense, shiny, evergreen leaves and attractive berries.
• It’s a nitrogen-fixing plant. It enhances the soil quality, particularly in poor soils, making it valuable for restoration projects.
• It provides excellent cover for wildlife during winter and extreme weather. It’s a host plant for the Red-Banded Hairstreak butterfly, and its flowers provide nectar for honeybees and butterflies. Birds, especially yellow-rumped warblers, eat the fruits in the fall and winter.
• The wax of the berries of the wax myrtle plant is perfect for candle-making. Candles made from this wax are known for their pleasant fragrance.
• It’s a well-known herbal remedy in North America. It boosts circulation, stimulates perspiration, and combats bacterial infections. It supports the digestive and respiratory systems, aids in managing healthy inflammation, and sustains menstrual health.

Conclusion

Creating wax myrtle candles is more than just a DIY project. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature and engage in a rewarding creative process. So why not give it a try? You might discover a new hobby and a newfound appreciation for the humble wax myrtle plant. 

FAQs

How do you get wax out of wax myrtle berries?

To extract wax from wax myrtle berries, clean the berries and boil them in a pot. The wax will float to the top, which can be skimmed off and melted in a separate pot. After cooling and hardening, the wax is broken into pieces and reheated slowly. 

When to harvest bayberries?

You can harvest Bayberries from October through November when they turn a dark bluish-black color. Ensure you harvest them at full maturity for the highest oil content. You may find some ripe berries on the shrub even into winter.

What do bayberry candles smell like?

Bayberry candles emit a unique, robust, and full-bodied scent, often associated with the holiday season. The fragrance is depicted as slightly bitter, yet sweet with berry overtones, and has woodsy and piney undertones.

What is the actual name of wax myrtle?

The actual name of Wax Myrtle is Myrica cerifera. However, recent reclassification has moved it to the Morella genus. It’s also commonly known as southern wax myrtle, southern bayberry, candleberry, bayberry tree, and tallow shrub.