With a faux plant and a cute ceramic vase, this easy Lava Rock Diffuser DIY uses essential oils to make your house smell amazing. No water or electricity needed!
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I also participate in affiliate programs for other retailers.
This essential oil diffuser DIY was originally posted Nov. 5, 2018. It has since been updated to include more information on materials and better instructions.
Make a homemade oil diffuser
This DIY oil diffuser is a great way to add aromatherapy to any room! My husband and I are on the same page for most of the important things in life, like parenting, but there is one big thing that we will never agree on.
I love aromatherapy. He HATES it.
So I look for little ways to work wonderful smells around my house that he can tolerate. In fact, he just told me this weekend that he didn’t hate the lavender I put on our lava stone aroma diffuser in the shower…). Finally.
This diffuser with lava stone couldn’t be easier to make and is great for places where you can’t plug in an electric diffuser. Plus it’s cute and my hubby won’t even know it’s there.
Why use a rock diffuser
I love to use my electric diffuser (this is the one I use every day. It’s small, you can turn off the colorful light and it fits in wherever you put it).
But there are a few places in the house where I don’t have a convenient plug, or I don’t want water in case of spills.
For instance, in the bathroom, I don’t have a plug nearby my counter and I certainly don’t want to put something electronic that close to my sink.
A rock diffuser means you can introduce a scent to the space without taking up a ton of room or needing to plug anything in.
Depending on the oil used and how much you add, the oil might last on lava rocks for 2-4 hours or much longer. I tend to add more oil throughout the day as I get used to it.
I like to rinse my lava rocks in hot water with a tiny bit of dish soap that can cut through grease. Rinse well and dry completely. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub it.
How to Make a DIY Oil Diffuser
To make a lava rock diffuser you just need a few things.
Supplies
- Lava stone beads
- Faux plant and pot (or use my links below to make your own)*
- Essential oils
I found the planter and plant shown at Target but it’s no longer available.
*My original idea was to buy a small pot, floral foam and faux succulents but the ready-made one saved time.
I love using NOW essential oils. I have a variety of brands, but I like the price point and the quality product they make as well as how easy they are to find at local natural markets and on Amazon.
They also have vanilla which smells amazing for the holidays and men tend to like vanilla over floral smells.
Lava rocks, also sometimes called lava stones, are very porous and great for holding essential oils.
They’re pretty inexpensive and can also be used to make jewelry.
This faux succulent was great because it had a platform, that was high up in the container, that the lava stone could sit on which meant you wouldn’t need to use a ton of stones to make this work.
Whether you buy a ready-made plant or put one together yourself, you want to make sure that the area that you want to cover with beads isn’t too far down from the top of the planter.
Instructions
Use a spoon or your hands and fill the top of the planter base with lava rocks.
See. So easy. Your lava stone oil diffuser is done. The hardest part now is figuring out which essential oil to use!!
I consider using essential oils to be a form of self-care. It’s a quick way to check-in with yourself during the day and see what smell would make you the happiest.
Because I want to stay married, I use only lavender or orange in the bathroom. (I kid. About the divorce part – I truly only use these two).
They’re both a nice clean smell. One that most men, including my husband, do not find offensive.
I make sure that if I add new oil, I do it early in the day so it has some time to dissipate during the day.
This DIY aromatherapy diffuser is great because it fits into almost any decor. I can easily move it around the house where I want to add a scent.
It also puts off a smell that is a little more subtle than traditional diffusers can be.
My kids love aromatherapy too and I’m going to pick up a few more of these succulents and lava rocks for their rooms also.
I also think these would be a nice teacher gift or handmade gift idea for your girlfriends. Who doesn’t love good smells??? Well, besides my husband…
Are you a fan of aromatherapy? You should definitely make this essential oil diffuser if you are!
If you’re a boy mom like I am, your bathroom is screaming for an essential oil diffuser!
More essential oil diffusers
- Make your own DIY Reed Diffuser. This is another good one to use in places without electricity around your home.
- Do you have a Shower Diffuser? You should! This one is my favorite.
- Skip those store-bought plug-ins and use this Wall Plug Diffuser instead.
More about essential oils
- Make your own Essential Oil Keychain! It’s a great way to take aromatherapy on the go with you.
- Have you tried Natural Sunscreens with essential oils? You should!
- Plan a Wine and Essential Oils party for your girlfriends! It’s a fun way to get together and make some awesome blends.
Pin to save this lava rock diffuser DIY for later.
Hi!!! These are adorable!!! Curious if you’ve ever used real succulents and done this?? I’m planning a succulent class and hoping to make them into little diffusers. But I’d love to use real plants. :)
Also wondering if you’ve ever used young living essential oils? I’d love to send you some to try if you haven’t! They’re the best!
No I haven’t tried real succulents. I’m sure it would be fine if the oil is put on lava beads but not sure how it would do on the plant. And no, I’ve never tried Young Living! I have a wholesale account with Doterra so I’m all set!