Citronella Candle: The Inspiration Behind Citronella + Eucalyptus and How to Use It

A citronella candle does not have to look like the yellow bucket of wax at the end of the picnic table. Citronella + Eucalyptus, our new summer scent, reimagines the classic: a fresh, luminous fragrance, hand-poured in Montreal in 100% natural soy wax, designed first and foremost as an ambiance candle. Citronella meets SOJA&CO.'s signature eucalyptus, lifted by mandarin zest and softened with vanilla and tonka bean. Here is the story behind this citronella candle, and our favourite ways to burn it, outdoors and in.

The Inspiration Behind Citronella + Eucalyptus

This candle was born from a simple idea: pairing a favourite scent, eucalyptus, with the citronella that smells like summer outdoors. A two-in-one on the senses, where the fresh, herbal side of eucalyptus lifts the citronella instead of letting it stand alone.

The imagery comes from somewhere warmer. We thought of the water basins of Florence, the heat of Europe in late afternoon, that golden-hour light stretching across warm stone. The colourful label on Citronella + Eucalyptus echoes exactly that: summer is here for a moment, and it should be enjoyed while it lasts. The colour is part of the ritual as much as the aroma.

Like all our fragrances, this scent follows the architecture of fine perfumery, inherited from our partner perfume house born in Grasse, France, more than 250 years ago. Three movements unfold as the candle burns:

• Top notes: eucalyptus, mandarin zest, citronella. The first impression, fresh and sparkling.
• Heart notes: green pear, verbena leaf, violet stem. The body of the fragrance, green and delicate.
• Base notes: tonka bean, vanilla, soft musk. The lasting signature, warm and enveloping.

The blend is built notably from citronella, orange, mandarin and eucalyptus essential oils, plant-based, natural ingredients. Citronella oil comes from lemongrass, and we load the candle with the most citronella essential oil that soy wax can carry, for a generous diffusion and a true presence of citronella, not just a faint trace. Like all our scents, it is vegan, cruelty-free, free of phthalates, and compliant with IFRA guidelines. This is citronella the way you always wished it smelled: crisp, elevated, never medicinal.

Where to Burn Your Citronella Candle Outdoors

A citronella candle belongs anywhere summer happens. Outdoors first: on a garden table, at the centre of a dinner on the balcony, near the hammock, or tucked into the bag for a night of camping. Its fresh aroma accompanies meals in the open air and creates a relaxed gathering with no effort.

Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, for a steady flame. Outdoors, several small candles spread around the area where you are seated work better than a single one on its own: on the table, along the edge of the patio, near the door. Across the backyard, that spread helps the scent carry.

And indoors? Those who love citronella can absolutely burn it inside when needed, especially on warm summer days when a little freshness is welcome. In an open kitchen, a dining room or a reading corner, Citronella + Eucalyptus brings summer light inside. It pairs well with simple seasonal decor: pale linen, amber glass, a few citrus fruits in a bowl.

When to Burn It to Enjoy It Fully

The best moment? Late in the day, when the light softens and the pace slows. Citronella + Eucalyptus was made for summer evenings: the drink that lingers, dinner outdoors, the transition between the house and the patio.

A practical tip: light the candle 20 to 30 minutes before you settle in. A scented candle needs a little time for its wax to melt evenly and release its aroma fully into the air. That way you enjoy the citronella the moment you sit down.

Our 8 oz format offers about 50 hours of burn time, enough to carry much of the season at a few evenings a week. For a clean, even burn, two simple habits:

• On the first use, let the wax melt across the whole top, about 1 to 2 hours, to avoid tunnelling.
• Before each lighting, trim the cotton wick to about 1/4 inch. A well-trimmed wick burns cleaner and limits soot.

Limit each session to 3 or 4 hours, and use a snuffer rather than blowing out the flame. The candle has done its job when about 1/4 inch of wax remains at the bottom of the tin.

Choosing a Natural Citronella Candle in Soy Wax

This is where Citronella + Eucalyptus stands apart from grocery-store citronella candles. Instead of paraffin, a petroleum derivative, we use 100% natural, non-GMO soy wax. The wick is lead-free cotton. The fragrance is made from vegan fragrance oils, free of phthalates, with mosquito-repelling citronella essential oil at the heart of the blend.

Each candle is hand-poured in our Montreal workshops by a team that is 95% women. SOJA&CO. is a family business founded in 2018 by Laurence Gaudreau-Pépin, and certified B Corp since 2025, a recognition that measures real social and environmental commitments.

The amber glass tin is built for a second life: once the candle is finished, it cleans up and becomes a reusable pencil holder, small vase or spice jar. A summer candle that smells good, lasts, and does not end up in the trash after one season.

Are Citronella Candles Effective? What the Science Says

Do citronella candles really work against mosquitoes? The honest answer is that the evidence is mixed. Citronella oil, distilled from lemongrass, has been used for generations and is often described as a natural insect repellent. But as a candle, its effect on repelling mosquitoes is modest and local.

A peer-reviewed University of Guelph study found that a 3% citronella candle reduced bites by about 42% compared with no protection, yet a plain candle already cut bites by roughly 23% through heat and carbon dioxide alone. Other research shows citronella candles are far less effective at keeping mosquitoes away than a registered mosquito repellent applied to the skin. The takeaway: a citronella candle can gently deter some insects in its immediate area, but it will not create a bug-free bubble over your whole garden.

That is why we are upfront about it. We make Citronella + Eucalyptus as a beautiful summer scent, not as mosquito control. You get the aroma you love, with realistic expectations about the bugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do citronella candles really work against mosquitoes? The science is mixed. A University of Guelph study found about 42% fewer bites near a 3% citronella candle, but the effect is local, short-lived, and a plain candle already reduces bites by about 23% through its heat alone. Citronella has known aromatic properties, but we design Citronella + Eucalyptus as an ambiance candle, not as a pest control product.

What actually keeps mosquitoes at bay? For reliable protection, health authorities recommend registered repellents applied to skin or clothing, such as DEET or picaridin. A citronella candle adds to the comfort and aroma of an evening outdoors, but it does not replace these. To keep bugs away while you enjoy the patio, pair the candle's ambiance with a registered repellent.

Where should you place a citronella candle for maximum effect? On a stable, level, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, near where you are seated: patio table, balcony edge, or outdoor table centre. Outdoors, spreading a few candles around the area diffuses the scent better than a single source. Wind and weather will affect performance, so shelter the flame when you can.

How long do citronella candles last? Our 8 oz format burns for about 50 hours, much of the summer season at a few evenings a week. Burn time depends on the format, the quality of the wax and wick care. A simple way to make it last: limit each use to 3 or 4 hours and trim the wick before each lighting.

Can you use a citronella candle indoors? Yes. Even though Citronella + Eucalyptus is made for outdoors, those who love citronella can burn it inside when needed, in a ventilated room. Its cool, citrusy freshness is especially welcome on warm summer days, like a breath of summer at home.

Citronella candle vs bug spray: which is better? They do different jobs. A registered bug spray or mosquito repellent applied to skin is what actually protects you from bites and itchy welts. A citronella candle sets the aroma and ambiance of the evening and may gently deter insects nearby. For a summer gathering, use both: spray on you, candle on the table.

What wax is best for a citronella candle: soy, paraffin or beeswax? We choose soy wax. Compared with paraffin, a petroleum derivative, soy is an all-natural, renewable option that burns cleanly and carries citronella essential oil well. Beeswax is another natural choice but is not vegan. For a long-lasting, all-natural citronella candle, non-GMO soy wax with a cotton wick is our pick.

Enjoy Summer, One Moment at a Time

Summer lasts only a moment, and that is exactly what Citronella + Eucalyptus celebrates. A fresh, luminous fragrance, inspired by the heat of Europe and the golden light of late afternoons, hand-poured in Canada in soy wax. Not a gimmicky bug gadget, but a real summer scent to set on your table, outdoors and in. Explore our soy wax candles and find the one that will carry your best evenings of the season.