In short: lilac smells sweet, powdery and fresh, with a soft green edge and a hint of almond. It is the smell of late spring and old-fashioned gardens.
What lilac smells like
Lilac is lighter than rose and less heady than jasmine. It is sweet and a little powdery, like a vintage face powder, but with a dewy, green freshness that keeps it from feeling heavy. Many people connect it with a grandparent's yard or a particular few weeks in May.
Where it comes from
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a shrub native to the Balkans and long planted in gardens across Europe and North America. Like lily of the valley, lilac doesn't give up its scent through distillation in any practical amount, so perfumers recreate it from aroma molecules that smell floral, powdery and green. Lilac is the state flower of New Hampshire, and lilac festivals are held every spring in many towns. Our candles use fragrance oils with a lilac accord.
How it is used
Lilac is a heart note. It brings a soft, nostalgic sweetness to spring florals and garden blends.
What it pairs with
- Honeysuckle and lily of the valley, for a spring garden
- Jasmine and rose, for a full bouquet
- Green leaves and violet, for freshness
- Soft musk and sandalwood, for a clean base
Our candles with lilac
- Pemberley Gardens: lilac and honeysuckle with jasmine and lily of the valley, from Pride and Prejudice.
- First Flowers of Spring: lilac, wisteria, violet and lily of the valley.
- Thornfield Hall: lilac with sweetbriar rose, jasmine and pear, from Jane Eyre.
Common questions
Why does lilac smell old-fashioned? Lilac was a favorite in perfumes and soaps in the early 1900s, so its powdery sweetness feels vintage to many people.
Can you make lilac essential oil? Not practically. The flowers yield too little, so lilac scents are recreated.
Explore more notes in our Fragrance Notes A to Z, or browse our Floral candles.