Virginian Cedarwood
Juniperus virginiana
Dry, clean and woody — the classic smell of pencil shavings and cedar closets — with a faint sweetness and none of Atlas cedar's honeyed depth.
No special cautions at normal use. Texas cedarwood (Juniperus ashei) is sold as a near-identical alternative.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
Inexpensive and a solid fixative for lighter notes, but on its own it throws softly — use it as a base rather than the headline.
Wax meltsGood
Reed diffuserGreat
Room & linen sprayGood
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGreat
Behaves well with no acceleration or discoloration; a cheap way to add staying power to a blend.
Melt-and-pour soapGreat
Laundry & cleaningGreat
Natural fit for closet sachets and drawer sprays — the familiar cedar-chest smell.
Pairs well with
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Bergamot
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Pine
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Fir Needle
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Vetiver
Base · Earthy
Essential oil
Rosemary
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Sweet Orange
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Juniper Berry
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Apple
Top · Fruity
Fragrance oil
Don't have it? Try Atlas Cedarwood, Hinoki.
In these blends
Lavender & Cedar Nightcap
The last quiet hour before sleep, with a book and the lamp turned low.
Lavender · Bergamot · Virginian Cedarwood · Roman Chamomile
CalmingAutumnWinterSpring
Deep Work
A clear head and a closed door: bright lemon over focused herbs.
Rosemary · Lemon · Virginian Cedarwood · Cypress · Peppermint
FocusingEnergizingAutumnWinterSpring
Kitchen Window
Lemons, fresh ginger and a cutting board — a kitchen that smells cleaned.
Lemon · Ginger · Lemongrass · Virginian Cedarwood · Lime
EnergizingCleanSummerSpring
Clean Slate
The satisfying snap of a freshly cleaned house with the windows open.
Lavender · Lemon · Rosemary · Virginian Cedarwood · Tea Tree
CleanRefreshingSpringSummer
Spring Clean Citrus
Grapefruit, lime and herbs for scrubbing sinks and freshening drains.
Grapefruit · Lemongrass · Rosemary · Lime · Virginian Cedarwood · Tea Tree
CleanUpliftingSpringSummer
Christmas Morning
A fresh-cut tree, a bowl of cranberries and oranges, cinnamon in the air.
Fir Needle · Cranberry · Virginian Cedarwood · Sweet Orange · Cinnamon Leaf · Clove Bud
FestiveNostalgicWinter
Cottage Garden
Tomato vines, cut grass and armfuls of peonies and lilac in a May garden.
Peony · Lilac · Tomato Leaf · Fresh-Cut Grass · Oakmoss · Virginian Cedarwood
UpliftingNostalgicSpringSummer
Rain on the Porch
Summer rain on warm pavement, heard from a covered porch swing.
Rain · Petrichor · Virginian Cedarwood · Violet · Lavender · Oakmoss
CalmingNostalgicSpringAutumn
Lilac Porch
Grandma's lilac hedge by the porch steps in late spring.
Lilac · Bergamot · Virginian Cedarwood · Honeysuckle · Fresh-Cut Grass · Vanilla
NostalgicCalmingSpring
Watermelon Cooler
A cold slice of watermelon and cucumber water on the hottest day of summer.
Freesia · Watermelon · Bamboo · Virginian Cedarwood · Cucumber
RefreshingUpliftingSummer
A little lore
Eastern red cedar wood was the traditional material for pencils and moth-deterring cedar chests.