Few natural fragrances capture the sun-soaked magic of late summer like fresh-picked heirloom tomatoes. So beloved is the garden fruit that it spurred a TikTok craze (remember 2023’s #tomatogirl?) and even inspired a viral Loewe clutch. But tomatoes needn't just be limited to your farmer’s market haul or your social feed this season; they also make for a divine candle fragrance. Candle brands are on the scent, with various tomato-inspired offerings from the likes of Diptyque, Jo Malone and many more.
If you think a tomato-scented candle sounds unusual, like the olfactory equivalent of sniffing a caprese salad, think again. According to Pia Long, the head perfumer and director of the UK-based scent consultancy Olfiction, a truly tomato-y fragrance is inspired by the plant’s green bits.
‘The “tomato” theme in perfumery is typically expressed through the characteristic tomato leaf and stem greenery; a biting, vegetal greenness which can be divisive but for the lovers of it has a moreish and uplifting quality,’ she tells Wallpaper*. ‘As a perfumer, one can use some ready-made bases available to evoke tomato leaf and even the fruit, but many perfumers will construct their own accords based on their own impressions and the creative constraints of the brief in question. I thrive in this territory, enjoying the nature of all kinds of green accords.’
Some tomato scents, she continues, will amp up the tomato’s fresh flavours, while others will emphasise earthier, notes like leather, to reference a garden’s earthiness.
Whether you prefer fried-green or ruby red; pronounce it tomato or to-mah-to, one thing’s for sure: tomato candles are the definitive home fragrance of the summer. In fact, we tested a whole crop (pun intended) of them, for their fragrance, aesthetic, burn time and price point. Without further ado, the best tomato candles of 2025.
When I stepped into Pierre Yovanovitch's New York atelier earlier this year, I had to know: What was the divine fragrance emanating from the reception desk? Turns out, it was this tomato-scented delight from Flamingo Estate. The scent is herbaceous and hypnotic, thanks to notes inspired by green tomato leaves with the additions of a spicy olfactory backbone derived from fresh tarragon sourced from Oregon and black pepper oil from Madagascar. The green glass container has a heavy, high-quality feel, making this candle an ideal hosting gift...or just something nice for yourself. Can't get enough? Flamingo Estate has an entire tomato-scented range, which includes surface cleaner, hand lotion and soap — quite the harvest!
Pros
- Strong, intriguing scent
- Long-lasting
- High quality vessel
Cons
- Higher price point
This one is a classic for a reason. Founders Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz developed this candle to evoke the summertime feeling they get when gardening in their Hudson Valley home. This candle offers notes of the usual suspects—tomato (the San Marzano variety in particular, if you're taking notes, basil and mint—with subtle hints of unexpected companions like cedar, lavender and even green pepper. The ultra-fresh, zingy scent has earned this candle a cult following and it's easy to see why. For more, pair with Malin + Goetz's tomato room spray.
Pros
- Ultra-fresh fragrance
- Generous throw without overpowering
Cons
- Minimal vessel may be too plain for some
This is by far the most aesthetically-pleasing candle I tested, with its cherry-red grooved clay vessel, but that's just the start. I loved the greeniness of this scent, which proved to be both long-lasting and room-filling. Underpinning it all are darker notes of blackcurrant, which make this tomato candle both sunny and seductive. You can also get a giant version, with a burn time of up to 80 hours, or a cheeky candlestick-shaped taper.
If Jo Malone's Green Tomato Vine candle were a person, she'd live on Park Avenue. This option comes in an elegant bisque ceramic vessel that has an architectural quality, thanks to its simple textured band and pretty lid. And that's just the start; light it up and you'll be enveloped in an herbaceous, green scent that brings to mind strolls through a vegetable garden and sweet summer days. This one is definitely the priciest of the bunch, but worth every penny if you're in search of a gift or a little luxury for yourself. (Be sure to check out the diffuser version too!)
Pros
- Doubles as an objet d'art
- Luxurious, herbaceous scent
Cons
- High price point
When Diptyque unveiled its La Droguerie line three years ago, it sought to transform mundane housekeeping tasks into an everyday luxury. The brand absolutely nailed it with its odor-removing candle which, in lieu of cheap aerosol sprays or wall plug-ins, feels like a joy to burn. This fragrance was inspired by a summer vegetable garden and blends the fresh scents of tomato leaves, basil and mint to counteract unpleasant odors. I, for one, love to burn this after cooking up a garlicky meal. Its amber apothecary-inspired container also looks mighty chic perched on your bathroom counter when guests arrive.
Pros
- Lush, luxurious herbal fragrance
- Effective at removing odors
Cons
- Higher price point
Best affordable tomato candle
Indiana-based candle maker, Linnea, crafts home fragrances that draw from both the midwest and the founder's Scandinavian heritage. Vine-ripened tomatoes, then, were a perfect fragrance inspiration for this summery soy-wax candle. The candle features notes of tomato and their stems, but also has an earthier base, thanks to soil-inspired notes. The candle's 'throw' wasn't as distinct as some of the others I tested, but I loved the double wick (which eliminated the dreaded 'tunneling effect' that can afflict candles) and the simple olive-green glass vessel. The price point is also more accessible than some of its fancier counterparts. If you're so inclined, you can even opt for this super-sized, three-wick version.
Pros
- Accessible price
- Earthy tomato scent
- Double wick
Cons
- Scent 'throw' not as distinct as others; best suited for smaller spaces
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this trompe-l'oeil cutie, courtesy of Anthropologie. While it's made from unscented paraffin wax, meaning it won't emit that garden-fresh scent, I love how real it looks sitting on my dinner table. I envision a cluster of these scattered across a summertime tablescape to accompany tomato-themed dishes you can actually eat. (You can also snag pepper and aubergine-shaped version as well) Since it doesn't come with its own container, though, you need to use caution while burning, which suits me just fine since I can't take my eyes off of it.
Pros
- Life-like look
- Made in Italy
Cons
- No scent
- Requires monitoring for safety
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