Living in Orlando, it doesn’t really start to feel like fall until the season’s already over and winter sets in, if we’re lucky. The crispy air, crunchy leaves, and sweater weather are more of a Pinterest board dream than a Florida reality.
But Southern folks have our ways of faking fall: visiting pumpkin patches in 85-degree heat, weekend camping trips, Hocus Pocusmovie nights with the electric fireplace crackling, and scares at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Still, nothing tricks us into the spirit of autumn quite like scent. The smell of spiced apples and burnt sugar sends us right into an episode of Gilmore Girls, even if we’re in shorts. That’s probably why candle sales spike in the fall. According to the National Candle Association, more than 35% of candle sales happen in the fourth quarter, with many candle brands beginning to see major increases in September.
Scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. So fall candles do more than smell good — they transport us. Aromas like pumpkin chai or caramel pecan take us to a cozy kitchen filled with baked goods and warm mugs, while woodsy notes like cedar, amber, or smoke pull us into forests or bonfires.
Whether you’re embracing crisp autumn changes or creating your own version of the season, these Latine-owned candles will help set the scene and the scent.
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Wellness brand Casita Michi crafts candles deeply inspired by founder Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini’s Peruvian and Argentine heritage as well as her upbringing in San Francisco. Her creations blend cultural nostalgia with nourishment, and the autumn collection is no exception. It’s filled with cozy notes that evoke both tradition and seasonal warmth. Our favorite is the Pumpkin Horchata Spice candle, a vegan coconut wax with a rich blend of cinnamon, pumpkin, amaretto, and nutmeg that smells like sipping a warm cup of homemade horchata by candlelight.
Casita Michi Casita Michi’s Pumpkin Horchata Spice Candle, $, available at Michaels
Soy Latina Candles is a Los Angeles-based, vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade home and body brand that creates luxury fragrances designed to evoke emotion and spark scent memories. And when we smell Otoño en Casa, we feel like we’re stepping into the kitchen of owner Krystal Flores’ abuelita on a cool afternoon, a place that’s warm, safe, and surrounded by love. With comforting notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, myrrh, and wood, it’s the perfect cozy fall fragrance.
Soy Latina Candles Soy Latina Candles’ Otoño en Casa Candle, $, available at Soy Latina Candles
Miami-based candlemaker Albisa Candles is known for crafting scents that instantly transport people to Cuban kitchens — from the steamy swirl of café con leche to the warmth of just-baked Cuban bread. Their Pumpkin Flan candle is no exception, bringing us right back to the dining table (and honestly, is there any place better to be?). Fresh pumpkin blends with silky caramel, warm spices, and brown sugar to create a mouth-watering fragrance that smells just like the yummy, nostalgic dessert.
Albisa Candles Albisa Candles Pumpkin Flan Candle, $, available at Albisa Candles
Afro-Cuban and Guyanese founder Aisha Zakiya pours her popular Vela Negra candles using black wax, chosen for its ability to absorb and dispel negative energies. The vegan coconut soy wax symbolizes new beginnings and clarity. And her creations, often inspired by her Caribbean heritage, are designed to protect and comfort. The latest addition to her collection is Bóveda, Vol. 2, a tribute to the Cuban spiritual tradition of the bóveda, an altar honoring loved ones and ancestors who have passed on. Scented with a light blend of rose, amber, and bergamot, the pillar prayer candle is perfect not only for the fall months but also for Día de Muertos celebrations.
Vela Negra Vela Negra’s Bóveda, Vol. 2 Candle, $, available at Vela Negra
Speaking of Día de Muertos, Viviana Luxury has released a limited-edition series of hand-poured soy candles inspired by the Mexican holiday. Founded by Viviana Hurtado, a Latina storyteller and wellness advocate, the brand creates home scents for those who honor well-being and Latin American culture. That spirit is beautifully captured in her Ofrenda candle. With notes of citrus orange, bergamot, clove, and lavender, it’s a citrusy, warm, woodsy fragrance that evokes the brightness of marigolds, the spice of tradition, and the deep joy and reverence that come with remembering those we love.
Viviana Luxury Viviana Luxury’s Ofrenda Candle, $, available at Viviana Luxury
La Nunery Apothecary is a line of all-natural, hand-crafted wellness products designed to bring relaxation and peace into everyday life. Each candle, skincare, and body product is rooted in Puerto Rican ancestral plant knowledge, cultural storytelling, and modern design — all created with the intention of helping people slow down, de-stress, and reconnect with themselves. That’s exactly the kind of comfort offered by the Campfire Pumpkin Magic Wood Wick Candle. Hand-poured in Delaware, warm notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet pumpkin, and buttercream create space to rest, breathe, and reconnect — and that’s exactly what fall calls for.
La Nunery Apothecary La Nunery Apothecary’s Campfire Pumpkin Magic Candle, $, available at La Nunery Apothecary
Hand‑poured by founder Marcella Gomez in Downey, California, Oh Comadre Candles are designed to evoke love, comfort, and cherished memories. Made from organic vegetable soy wax, the brand is deeply rooted in Latin American culture and the scents of home. One of their fall favorites, Té de Canela, transports us to cozy afternoons steeped in the warmth of cinnamon tea.
Oh Comadre Candles Oh Comadre Candles’ Té De Canela Candle, $, available at Oh Comadre Candles
Soul Food Candle Co. is a Puerto Rican and Black American–owned brand dedicated to capturing culture, community, and memory through scent. Each candle is designed to preserve the small, intimate moments that shape our lives, from family gatherings to late-night kitchen table conversations, to cherished hair rituals. One standout for the season is Shot of Coquito, a warm, nostalgic blend of gold rum, crema de coco, and coconut musk. It smells just like the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink and instantly calls up memories of elders playing dominoes, salsa music in the background, and laughter filling the room.
Soul Food Candle Co. Soul Food Candle Co.’s Shot of Coquito Candle, $, available at Soul Food Candle Co.
Rooted in ritual, heritage, and self‑care, Santu Beauty blends Mexican ancestral wisdom with modern wellness. Their philosophy honors Mexico’s botanical traditions, deeply valuing ingredients like copal oil and sourcing materials that foster both ritual and restoration. And the Coco Corazón Aromatherapy Candle carries that intention into the home space. Hand‑poured with natural soy wax in ceramic vessels crafted by artisans in Morelos, it blends Mexican coffee, creamy coconut, and warm vanilla. The gentle, grounding fragrance is perfect for curling up with a blanket during cool, introspective autumn nights.
Santu Santu’s Coco Corazon Aromatherapy Candle, $, available at Santu
Luz y Tierra is a Mexican-American brand dedicated to honoring Mexican culture through authentic, handcrafted candles and home decor. Utilizing 100% soy wax, the candles, poured by founder Grecia Alfaro in Texas, feature handmade candle vessels sourced from artisans in Mexico. From start to finish, each piece showcases the artistry and beauty of Mexico, including its fall traditions. With its Pan de Muerto candle, it pays homage to the traditional Mexican sweet bread made for Día de Muertos. Notes of fresh baked bread, sweet vanilla, cloves, oranges, and nutmeg come together to create a scent that recalls memories of the love and warmth of those who have passed on.
Luz y Tierra Luz y Tierra’s Pan De Muerto Candle, $, available at Luz y Tierra
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