Question: How can a home fragrance diffuser be planet friendly?
Answer: When one diffuser lasts a lifetime.
“The Scented Stem was born as a poetic, almost surrealistic object to enchant a home.” Clara Feder, Creative Director, Le Jardin Retrouvé
Back in July 2021, Le Jardin Retrouvé’s Creative Director, Clara Feder, was contemplating a practical problem and was determined to find a solution. With a successful range of candles already enchanting customers, the next step in range development was leading Clara towards home fragrance diffusers, which were rapidly growing in popularity around the world. The problem was that Clara didn’t like them.
“I have a deep dislike for reeds. It’s probably due to my aversion to dust and the fact that they remind me of a dead porcupine!” – Clara Feder
Clara wanted an efficient way to fragrance a home that was pleasing to the eye and which matched the aesthetic of the brand. Above all, she sought an eco-friendly solution. Unattractive reeds and sticks were not under consideration! Reeds often need to be disposed of and replaced, as well as being dust magnets, affecting the scent. But what could be used instead? Having already sourced Le Jardin Retrouvé candle holders from Limoges, Clara’s mind went back to the white porcelain pots. The solution was porcelain.
A simple porcelain rose stem, unglazed and porous, proved not only more visually attractive, but in tests, it had remarkable scent projection.
Clara consulted Le Jardin Retrouvé’s own perfumer, Maxence Moutte, who created a fragrant liquid that contained up to 92% natural ingredients. Lasting power was impressive, and the partnership of the low alcohol liquid composition and the projection powers of the stem made for an extraordinary combination.
Planet Friendly
As with all Le Jardin Retrouvé products, (which means The Rediscovered Garden in English) sustainability is of paramount importance during product creation and has been since the brand’s inception in 1975. In the unique case of the Le Jardin Retrouvé diffuser, nearly everything can be used indefinitely: the Limoges holder, the wooden lid with its fine gilt trim and the stem itself. The liquid refills can be re-ordered as needed and could be expected to last for three months. However, the Le Jardin Retrouvé team found it lasted nearer four months when they tried it at home. Refills are eco-friendly too, being made from recycled aluminium flasks that can be reused and recycled themselves.
How to Refresh and Reuse
Due to the high percentage of natural ingredients, the beautiful white stem may colour, just like flowers in a vase. This is easily fixed whenever you feel it necessary. Just soak the porcelain stem in rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit for as long as is necessary for the stem to become white again, and/or the scent has faded. It can take up to a few days, depending on the scent and how long it has been in the pot. The result? A stem restored to its original white tone and ready to be infused with fragrance once more. This is also a good method of removing any light dust that may have gathered and of ensuring the stem is at “full absorbency power” once more. A little nurturing and your rose stem will last a lifetime!
Incidentally, although the stem can be everlasting, accidents can happen, so replacement stems can be ordered from the Le Jardin Retrouvé website.
Launching them on the world
The scented stem diffusers were launched in Paris in September 2021 at Maison & Objet, a national trade fair for interior design and lifestyle. After that, they were sent to magazines, influencers and bloggers around the world where they were received with great enthusiasm across many high-profile platforms.
“Beauty Bible Loves… a ceramic diffuser from Le Jardin Retrouvé, an indie, French family-owned brand, with five fab smells to choose from – and just as importantly, a beautiful design we’re proud to show off. (Unlike so many diffusers.)” – Jo Fairley, co-founder, The Beauty Bible and The Perfume Society.
Post launch, the scented stems were featured in ELLE France, The Scented Letter, The Beauty Bible, Glass Magazine, The Hamptons Magazine, Le Journal de la Maison, Luxe Packaging Insight and on many instagram feeds.
The Fragrances
Five Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances have been carefully chosen for their different properties, with each offering their own unique qualities to match the mood you want in your living space.
Rose Trocadéro
Rose Trocadero is a floral scent blooming with rose petals, blackcurrant buds and white musk. Inspired by nature and reminiscent of the fragrant roses of yesteryear and the gardens of our childhood.
Cuir de Russie
A seamless blend of leather with a tender posy of violets and precious resins. It is a memento of the Slavic origins of Yuri Gutsatz, founder of Jardin Retrouvé and a beloved customer favourite.
Tubéreuse Trianon
A radiant fragrance bursting with white flowers, ylang ylang, a kiss of raspberry and a whisper of creamy coconut nuance. This floral and fruity fragrance will transport you to the gardens of Versailles.
“Tubéreuse Trianon, inspired by a walk in the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, is a personal favourite of mine” – Rich Goller, Fragroom.
And two new fragrances created exclusively for Le Jardin Retrouvé by perfumer Maxence Moutte:
And two new fragrances created exclusively for Le Jardin Retrouvé by perfumer Maxence Moutte:
Mousse Arashiyama
In this creation, Maxence Moutte gives us his poetic vision of the mossy undergrowth of a Japanese bamboo grove, with green notes of lentiscus, fleshy figs and pearls of dew.
“The wet green scent of Mousse Arashiyama will appeal to those who value solitude over everyone’s attention, contemplation over a stormy exchange of opinions, and silence over loud music.”
– Sergey Borisov, Fragrantica
Osmanthe Liu Yuan (Affectionately known as OLY)
A joyful fragrance, born of childhood nostalgia and featuring jasmine absolute, osmanthus essence and nuances of peach, finished with a flourish of understated leather.
Scented Stem Facts and Figures
- 100% Made in France
- The fragrance is 92% natural
- Our products are vegan
- Natural beechwood lid
- Authentic Limoges porcelain
- The pot is microwave, dishwasher and freezer compatible
- Endlessly reusable
- An object of beauty!
What do you think of Le Jardin Retrouvé scented stems?
We’d love to know how you get on, so do feel free to share your experiences with our scented stems. You can contact us directly via email, or on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, or TikTok.
Surrender to the fragrant pleasure of long lasting, planet friendly scented stems from Le Jardin Retrouvé, and bring the garden into your home.
