Seamus Hammond
Making perfume from plants is an easy, fun activity that can be done at home. Natural perfumes can be made from flowers, foliage, seeds, bark, resin, roots, rhizomes, and rinds. Even flowers and plants from your backyard garden can be used to create a personalised fragrance. The process is simple and involves placing petals or leaves in water and allowing the mixture to rest overnight. The next day, the flower-scented water is strained and simmered until a small amount of liquid remains. This liquid can then be bottled and stored in a cool, dark place. Creating a personalised perfume can be a thoughtful gift and a fun way to explore the ancient art of perfumery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Flowers, foliage, seeds, bark, resin, roots, rhizomes, rinds, weeds, herbs, spices, essential oils, absolutes, perfumer's alcohol, carrier oils |
| Equipment | Mason jar, bowl, cheesecloth, saucepan, rollerball or spray bottle, airtight glass vial or bottle |
| Process | Place petals or leaves in cheesecloth with water, soak overnight, strain, simmer liquid until one teaspoon remains, bottle |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dark place; perfume will last up to one month |
| Notes | Perfumes have three layers: top, middle, and base notes; top notes are bright and fade quickly, e.g. citrus fruits or light florals |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your flowers and plants
When selecting your flowers and plants, it's essential to consider the scent you want to achieve. Popular options for perfumery include roses and jasmine, known for their potent scent extraction capabilities. However, feel free to experiment with other flowers and herbs that you have access to or grow in your garden. For instance, sweet pea, sweet alyssum, French marigold, German chamomile, rosemary, mint, oregano, lavender, and lemon balm can all add interesting nuances to your perfume. Additionally, you can incorporate the leaves of plants like the tomato and blackcurrant bushes.
If you're looking for a more straightforward approach to extracting scents, tinctures and infusions are excellent alternatives. Herbalist Donna Lee of Cottage Hill Herbs in Upper Hutt recommends using various herbs and spices to create perfumes. Some options include anise, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, balm of Gilead, fragrant pelargonium, lemongrass, lemon balm, mints, citrus, sweet woodruff, and angelica. These ingredients can be tinctured into vodka, witch hazel, or perfumer's alcohol. You can also explore making hydrosols, infused oils, or pressing them into fats for extraction.
When choosing your flowers and plants, it's worth considering the unique characteristics of the plants' terroir. For instance, lavender grown in New Zealand may have a distinct scent compared to lavender cultivated in France, Spain, or England. This consideration can be especially intriguing if you're seeking a signature scent or exploring commercial opportunities for botanicals grown in your region.
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Preparing your equipment
Firstly, source a clean mason jar or empty bowl. A mason jar is preferable as it has a lid, which will be useful later in the process. You will also need a piece of cheesecloth, which should be placed inside the jar or bowl, with the four corners hanging outside. If you don't have cheesecloth, you could try using a thin tea towel or similar, though cheesecloth is ideal due to its fine weave.
Next, you will need a small saucepan. This will be used to heat your flower-infused water, so ensure it is a size that fits comfortably on your stovetop. You will also need a rollerball container or miniature spray bottle to decant your final product. If you don't have either of these, a glass bottle with an airtight lid or a cork will also work.
In addition to the above, you may wish to purchase some perfumer's alcohol, a special alcohol blend for perfumery, or a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, or jojoba oil. These are not essential, but they can enhance your final product.
If you are feeling creative, you could also gather some ribbon or string and a small square of clear contact paper to create a pretty label for your perfume. This could include a pressed leaf or flower, sandwiched between two pieces of paper, to give it a natural, botanical feel.
Now that your equipment is prepared, you are ready to begin the process of making your own natural perfume from plants.
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Creating your fragrance
Perfumes are a blend of multiple scents and notes, building upon each other to create a nuanced and layered scent experience. There are three layers to a perfume fragrance: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. The top note is the initial smell that fades quickly and is usually something bright like citrus fruits or a light floral or herb. The middle note, also known as the heart note, is the scent that emerges once the top note fades. Common middle notes include lavender, rose, and jasmine. The base note is the scent that lingers the longest and is usually a woody or musky fragrance.
When creating your fragrance, it's important to consider the scent structure and build of a perfume. You can use flowers, foliage, seeds, bark, resin, roots, rhizomes, and rinds to create your perfume. You can also use essential oils or absolutes, which are concentrations of the scent of a particular flower, resin, herb, plant, tree, or fruit. However, it's important to ensure that these are suitable for skin use and perfume-making.
To create your perfume, you can follow these steps:
- Pick the flowers, herbs, and fruit leaves you like the scent of. Popular options include rose, jasmine, lavender, and lemon balm.
- Prepare your materials. You will need a clean mason jar or empty bowl, cheesecloth, water, and a saucepan. You can also use a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, or jojoba oil.
- Place the cheesecloth inside the mason jar or bowl, making sure the four corners are hanging outside the container.
- Drop your chosen petals, leaves, or herbs inside the cheesecloth.
- Pour just enough water to cover the top of the petals or leaves.
- Cover the container and let the mixture rest overnight.
- The next day, remove the lid and combine the four corners of the cheesecloth, creating a pouch.
- Lift the pouch out of the container and gently squeeze it over a saucepan to release the flower-scented water.
- Simmer the flower water over low heat until you have about one teaspoon of liquid remaining.
- Allow the liquid to cool, then transfer it to a rollerball container or a miniature spray bottle.
- Store your perfume in a cool, dark place. It should last up to one month.
You can also create perfumes using tinctures and infusions, which are simpler methods of extracting scents from botanicals. You can tincture herbs and spices like anise, cinnamon, vanilla, and cardamom into vodka, witch hazel, or perfumer's alcohol. Alternatively, you can make hydrosols, infused oils, or press them into fats for extraction.
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Storing your perfume
Once you've made your perfume, it's important to store it correctly to preserve its scent and quality. Here are some tips for storing your homemade plant-based perfume:
- Container: Choose a container that is made of glass or another non-reactive material. Avoid plastic containers as they can leech chemicals into your perfume over time. You can use small glass bottles, mini jars, or tins with tight-fitting lids or screw-on caps. Thrift shops are a great place to find unique and inexpensive glass containers for your perfume.
- Airtight Seal: Ensure that your container has an airtight seal. This will prevent evaporation and oxidation, which can alter the scent and reduce the potency of your perfume. If your container doesn't have a built-in airtight seal, you can use a cork or a screw-on lid with a rubber gasket to create a tight seal.
- Labeling: Label your perfume with the name of the scent and the date it was made. This will help you keep track of your creations and remember when it was prepared. You can also decorate the label with a pressed leaf or flower from the plant you used to make the perfume, adding a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your bottle.
- Storage Conditions: Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Sunlight and heat can cause the perfume to degrade and the scent to change. A cupboard or drawer in a temperature-controlled room is ideal. If you live in a hot climate or experience extreme summer heat, consider storing your perfume in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and prolong its lifespan.
- Stability: Most plant-based perfumes should be stable at room temperature and shouldn't require refrigeration. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mould or an unusual smell, discard the perfume and start a new batch.
- Aging: Some perfumes benefit from aging, as it allows the scents to meld and mature. If you feel your perfume needs more time to develop its full aroma, let it age for a few weeks or even months in a cool, dark place. Aging can help to smooth out any harsh notes and create a more complex and well-rounded fragrance.
By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your homemade plant-based perfume remains fresh, fragrant, and enjoyable to use.
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Labelling your bottle
Design and Aesthetics:
The design of your label can vary depending on your preferences and the image you want to convey. Traditionally, perfume labels follow a minimalist aesthetic with simple, all-capital black lettering on a neutral, metallic, or clear label, letting the beauty of the bottle and its contents shine through. However, you can certainly get creative and explore different design elements. Consider the shape of your bottle and choose a label that accentuates it. Circles or ovals often complement rounded bottles, while squares or rectangles pair well with square bottles. For unusual bottle shapes, a unique die-cut sticker can be a great choice. If your fragrance has a natural, plant-based feel, opt for earthy hues and plant patterns. Shiny inks or geometric motifs can add a modern, cutting-edge touch.
Information to Include:
While designing an aesthetically pleasing label is essential, it's also crucial to include vital information on the label. This information can vary depending on your specific product and local regulations, but here are some general items to consider:
- Name of the fragrance or brand
- Volume or quantity of the perfume in the bottle
- Ingredients used, especially if you want to highlight certain plant-based components
- Date of manufacture or batch number for your own reference
- Any necessary warnings or precautions, such as potential allergens or expiration dates
Methods for Creating Labels:
There are several methods you can use to create your labels, depending on your budget and desired outcome:
- Sticker Labels: Stickers are an affordable and flexible option, especially if you're just starting out or producing small batches. You can design and print your stickers, choosing from various shapes, colours, and materials. Ensure the stickers adhere well to the specific material of your bottle and are resistant to water, alcohol, and scratches.
- Printing at Home: If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, you can design your labels using software like Microsoft Word and print them on vinyl paper. You'll need a printer and vinyl paper, as well as a small guillotine for accurate paper trimming.
- Engraving: Engraving your bottles can be expensive and may be more suitable if you're producing larger quantities. It offers a sophisticated and permanent way to label your bottles.
- Handwriting: For a more personal and artisanal touch, you can handwrite directly on the bottle using a paint marker and then cover it with clear tape or an adhesive plastic sheet. This method works best if you have neat handwriting.
- Pad Printing: Pad printing involves using a silicone pad to transfer ink directly onto the bottle, following its curve. This method is suitable for curved or uneven bottle surfaces and allows for the use of metallic and neon inks.
Additional Considerations:
- Ensure your labels are securely adhered and straight. Crooked or peeling labels can detract from the overall presentation.
- Consider using a tamper-evident seal to protect the product and assure customers that it hasn't been sampled or damaged before purchase.
- If you're selling your perfume, research your target audience to develop packaging that attracts your desired market. For example, elegant simplicity often appeals to those interested in beauty and cosmetics.
- Eco-friendly packaging is becoming increasingly important to consumers. Consider using natural and earthy colours and materials for your labels and packaging.
Remember, your label is an extension of your brand and can significantly impact the perception of your perfume. Take the time to create a label that represents your vision and the essence of your scent.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a clean mason jar or empty bowl, cheesecloth, petals or leaves from plants, water, a saucepan, and a rollerball or spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of essential oil such as lavender, or a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil or jojoba oil.
Place the cheesecloth inside the jar or bowl, and put your petals or leaves on top. Pour in enough water to cover the petals, then cover and leave overnight. The next day, lift the pouch out, then strain the flower-scented water into a saucepan. Simmer until you have about one teaspoon of liquid, then allow to cool and bottle.
Perfume made from plant petals will generally last up to one month when stored in a cool and dark place.
Flowers, foliage, seeds, bark, resin, roots, rhizomes, and rinds can all be used to make perfume. Some popular flowers include rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, ginger, sweet pea, chamomile, and lavender. You can also use herbs like rosemary, mint, oregano, and lemon balm, or even weeds!
Making your own perfume from plants is a fun activity, and it's easy to do at home. You can create a personalised scent without the synthetic chemicals found in many conventional perfumes, which can cause respiratory, skin, eye, and neurological issues.
