Learn how to make incense cones with this easy DIY project! Made with a soothing blend of herbs like lavender and bay leaf, these homemade incense cones will make your home smell so fragrant and enjoyable.

A burning incense cone in a small ceramic bowl, surrounded by several unlit incense cones for those learning how to make incense cones, with dried leaves on a wooden surface.

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These incense cones are made from just three things: dried bay leaf, dried lavender, and a binder (makko powder or activated charcoal works too). Grind, mix, cone, dry, that's it.

Grind bay leaf and lavender into a fine powder

Mix with your binder and a small amount of water to form a paste

Shape into cones using a mold (or by hand)

Let dry fully, 24 to 48 hours, before burning

A hand-held lighter ignites an incense cone in a clay dish on a wooden surface, showing how to make incense cones amidst scattered dried leaves and lavender.

I’m big on relaxation, calming the mind, and boosting creativity. Whether it’s yoga or meditation, I found that using aromatics like incense sets the mood for these activities amazingly well! And with incense-making being something you can do right at home, there’s no need to buy from stores anymore. Just gather the ingredients together and get your hands working, and you’ll have a fantastic, tranquil-smelling space. Happy making!

A burning incense cone in a small ceramic dish, surrounded by unlit materials used to make incense cones and dried leaves on a wooden surface.

Why You’ll Love This Incense Recipe

Easy to follow.
Uses all-natural ingredients. You’ll find no harmful chemicals here!
Produces incense with a delightful, calming scent.
The fragrance of incense cones can be changed to suit your preferences.
It gives you a cheaper alternative to store-bought incense cones.
A thoughtful gift idea for family and friends on any occasion.

Incense cones, dried lavender sprigs, and dried leaves arranged on a dark wooden surface, illustrating how to make incense cones.

Ingredient Notes

Bay leaf powder: Provides your incense cones with a light, fresh, and uplifting smell.

Ground lavender flowers: Dried lavender lends a sweet and delicately floral scent to the incense cones.

Marshmallow root powder: Has a woodsy and floral scent that complements the other herbs well. It also acts as a binder to hold the herbs together.

Makko powder, guar gum powder, or incense powder can be used as a substitute.

Water: Helps moisten and soften the mixture so you can shape them into cones later on.

How to Make Incense Cones

Grind the dried bay leaves and lavender into a powder (a little coarse is fine), or use pre-packaged powders if you'd rather skip that step.
Combine the bay, lavender, and marshmallow root powders in a small bowl and mix well.
Add the water and stir until you have a pliable, uniform paste.
Shape into cones: pipe the mixture through a piping bag's conical tip and push it out with a toothpick, or just roll a teaspoon of mixture into a cone by hand.
Set the cones on parchment paper and dry at room temperature for at least a day. Longer drying means a better burn.
To use, place a cone on a heat-safe dish or incense burner, light the tip, then blow out the flame until it smolders into a steady stream of smoke.

Top Tips

You can use fresh herbs, but make sure to dry them well before using them in this recipe. Otherwise, they won’t burn as effectively.
If using other herbs, make sure to choose those that remain potent for long periods of time. Marjoram, rosemary, sage, sweetgrass, myrrh, sandalwood, frankincense, and peppermint are all solid choices for making incense cones.
Add the right amount of water to the herb blend so they won’t end up either too dry or too wet. Use just enough water to give your cones a dough-like texture for the best results.
You can use a coffee grinder to crush the herbs into powder instead of mortar and pestle.
You can also add your favorite perfume or essential oil to boost the fragrance.

A lit match ignites an incense cone inside a small clay bowl on a wooden surface, demonstrating how to make incense cones burn.

Storage Tips

Store unused incense cones inside airtight containers (like Mason jars or glass jars), then place them away from heat and direct sunlight. Also, keep them away from pets and small children.

These can be used for up to 6 months. However, if they become crumbly and fall apart easily, it’s time to toss them away and make a new batch instead.

Incense cones scattered on a wooden surface, including those used for learning how to make incense cones, with one lit cone in a small ceramic bowl next to dried leaves.

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Seven incense cones arranged on a wooden surface, illustrating how to make incense cones.

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How to Make Incense Cones

Homemade incense cones made from dried lavender and bay leaf. Just two ingredients, a binder, and an hour of dry time.

Prep Time: 5

Active Time: 10

Drying Time: 1

Total Time: 1 15

Yield: cones

Author: Kristen Wood

Cost: $3

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Equipment

Mixing Bowl

Materials

1 tablespoon dried bay leaf powder
1 tablespoon dried ground lavender flowers
1 teaspoon marshmallow root powder
2 tablespoons water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

If necessary, use a mortar and pestle to crush dried bay leaves and lavender flowers until powders forms. It’s okay if the powders are slightly coarse. Alternatively, you can buy pre-packaged powders.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the bay, lavender, and marshmallow root powders. Mix well.
Add the water to the mixed powders and stir until a pliable and uniform mixture forms.
If you want perfect incense cones, use the conical tip of a piping bag as a mold for the cones. Press the mixture into the piping tip, then gently push it out with a toothpick inserted into the hole on the piping tip.
Alternatively, you can take a teaspoon-sized amount of the incense mixture and then roll and shape it with your fingers.
Place the cones on parchment paper at room temperature to dry for at least one day before using. The longer they dry, the better they will burn.
To use, place a cone on a heat-safe dish or incense burner, light the tip and then blow out or waft with your hand until you have a constant stream of fragrant tendrils of smoke. Enjoy!