Candle Questions, Answered

We've tallied up the most popular questions we get about candles, and listed them here for you:

🍊 How Can I Use Clementine Garden Candles?

These little produce candles are more versatile than they look. A few favorite ways to use them:

• As a centerpiece. Grouped in a bowl or scattered down the table, they make an instant harvest-style display — no watering required.
• As everyday décor. Tuck one on a kitchen windowsill, a shelf, or next to your fruit bowl for a little trompe l'oeil charm.
• As cake, pie, and cupcake toppers. Our Birthday Berry candles are sized just right to sit on top of a cake, a pie, or a cluster of cupcakes — perfect for a garden-themed birthday, a summer dinner party, or anywhere you want a sweet, edible-looking finishing touch (just remember: they're wax, not actual fruit, so pull them off before slicing).
• As part of a gift. Pair with a real seed packet, a jar of jam, or a garden journal for a gift that's ready to open and display right away.
• Lit or unlit. Every piece works as a lit candle for ambiance or as a stand-alone sculpture — light it for a dinner party, or just let it sit pretty the rest of the time.

Q: Are they made from beeswax?
A: No — they are 100% plant-based wax, top to bottom. No bees involved, just all clean soy, doing what plants do best. We believe bees need the wax. 

Q: How long will one of these burn?
A: Our Birthday Berry candles burn for about 30 minutes, and the heavy peppers and XL tomatoes clock in around 30+ hours. For any of our larger candles, keep burn sessions to three hours or less, then blow them out — good candle etiquette, basically. Many of our candles get admired way more than they get lit. They're just as happy sitting on a shelf pretending to be a clementine. We encourage our customers to go ahead and light them up, to celebrate the daily joys of life.

Q: Can I actually burn it, or is it just for looks?
A: Both! Light it up when you want ambiance, or leave it be as a little sculpture. Either way, it's doing its job.

Q: Will it really fool people into thinking it's real produce?
A: Every time. We've heard from more than one customer whose family member tried to eat one. (No harm done.)

Q: How do I clean up the wax drips?
A: A little warm water and a soft cloth does the trick — no special candle-care degree required.

Q: Are these safe for homes with kids or pets?
A: Treat them like any candle — keep lit candles out of paws' and little hands' reach, and always burn on a stable surface. When unlit, they're just very convincing décor.

Q: What's the safest way to burn one?
A: A few good habits go a long way:

• For any candles that came in a pulp basket: remove them from the basket, and place them on a flat, heat resistant surface.
• Keep away from drafts, curtains, and anything flammable.
• Trim the wick to 1/4" before each burn to keep the flame steady and controlled.
• Never leave a lit candle unattended, even for "just a minute."
• Stop burning once about half an inch of wax remains at the base, to avoid overheating the container or surface underneath.
• Give it a little breathing room — good ventilation keeps things burning cleanly.

Q: Is it okay to move a candle while it's lit or still warm?
A: Better to let it cool completely first. Wax can shift or splash while it's soft, so give it time to firm back up before relocating your clementine (or tomato, or garlic bulb) to its next spot.

Q: What if I want a bunch for a gift basket or event?
A: That's what our custom harvest and basket sets are for — instant "wait, are these real?" centerpiece energy without the produce shopping. We also do wedding centerpieces and place setting decor, where guests get to take them home!