I love candles, and I usually burn at least two. In the winter, I go for a Santal sort of vibe. Sexy fireplace, Christmas tree vibes during the season. And I really like pumpkin spice in the fall! But in the summer, there are two scents I gravitate toward most: tomato leaves and orange blossom. Gardenia would be a runner-up.
I’ve included a few favorite tomato candles. The best one, IMO, is the Hotel Lobby Hamptons candle. Flamingo Estate’s iconic tomato candle is the runner-up. The best-priced tomato candle is this Fig & Tomato Vine from Rewined. I love the packaging, and it burns pretty slowly. The Fig notes are pretty minimal, but it ranks lower than HLC or Flamingo because the throw isn’t as intense; it won’t fill your whole downstairs with scent the way that the others do.
Orange blossom is my other favorite. My #1 is the Loewe, but the Quince comes close and you can’t beat the price. I’m really impressed with Quince’s candles — they burn slowly and smell amazing.
A few more faves that don’t fit either profile:
- Hotel Lobby Signature — this just makes your home smell really nice and fancy; it’s soft and cozy, I burn it all year ’round. If, for some reason, I had to choose one candle to burn all year ’round, it would be this. I guess that’s why it’s called Signature. It’s totally seasonless and just makes your home smell really, really good.
- This ultra-fancy Trudon Positano candle. I wish I didn’t know about it because it is $$$ but it smells heavenly. It is heavy on white gardenias, but also has orange blossom and tuberose notes. I have one in my cabinet, saved for a special occasion. It’s literally like lighting money on fire, but it smells incredible.
- Verden’s Aborealist candle – My friend Jessie Randall gave me this and it’s incredible. The best way I can describe it is “smoky greens.” There’s a little bit of those smoky notes I love, but it still pops with fresh greenery.
-
Tomato Candlebest affordableThis smells really really good and lasts a long time!Shop -
Signature Candlemy #1 candleIt’s soft and a little woodsy, perfect all year ’round.Shop
-
Hamptons Candlefavorite tomato candleThis takes the cake for fresh, veggie-forward candles. It smells just like the Farmer’s Market!Shop
-
Loewe Orange BlossomThis is a splurge but smells incredible. My favorite orange blossom candle. And you can keep the jar after.Shop
-
Orange Blossom Candlebest affordableQuince’s candles are really great. I also love the Santal one.Shop
-
Beet CandleAnother very good orange blossom option!Shop
-
Arborealist Candlemost uniqueSmoke + greens. It’s got that sexy fireplace vibe I love, but bursts with fresh greenery too.Shop
-
Hotel Lobby Candlestrawberries!This smells so good. Like you’re baking the Smitten Kitchen strawberry cake (IYKYK).Shop
-
Green Goddess CandleAnother lush verdant candle. My favorite of Flamingo Estate’s candles, besides their tomato.Shop
-
Positano Candlesolurgy but amazingThis smells like white gardenia, tuberose, and orange blossom!Shop
-
Fig CandleJust the right amount of sweet.Shop
-
Blackcurrant Candlea forever faveA classic! Blackcurrent and berries. Smells slightly citrusy to me.Shop
Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.
