Palo Santo: What It Is and How to Use It at Home
Palo santo is a fragrant South American wood, sold as sticks and burned for its sweet, woody smoke. Here is what it is, what it smells like, how to light a palo santo stick, and how to make it a calm, safe moment in your day.
To use palo santo, hold a stick at a 45° angle and light one end for about 30 seconds, then blow out the flame. Let it smoke for a minute or two, walking it gently through the room, and rest it in a heat-proof palo santo holder. It usually goes out on its own; if not, press the tip into sand or a ceramic dish. Keep a window slightly open.
What is palo santo?
Palo santo means "holy wood" in Spanish. It comes from Bursera graveolens, a tree of the dry tropical forests of South and Central America, mainly Ecuador and Peru, and has been burned in the Andes for generations. The wood is rich in natural resin, which is why it smells sweet even before you light it.
Today many people use it to mark a moment: the start of a quiet morning, the end of a working day, a clean bathroom before a long bath. This guide covers the practical side: lighting it, using it and putting it out safely.
What does palo santo smell like?
Woody and sweet, with notes of citrus, pine and a hint of mint. The smoke is softer and lighter than white sage, which is more herbal and earthy.
Sticks, chips, cones and oil
- Palo santo sticks: the most common form. One stick of palo santo lasts many short sessions.
- Chips and shavings: burned on a charcoal disc or in a heat-proof burner.
- Cones and incense sticks: palo santo powder pressed into incense, used in an incense holder.
- Essential oil: no smoke at all, used in a diffuser.
What you need
- A palo santo stick (it lasts many sessions).
- A lighter or matches. A candle flame also works well.
- A heat-proof ceramic palo santo holder or a ceramic dish with a little sand.
- A window you can open slightly.
How to light palo santo, step by step
- Hold the stick at a 45° angle, tip pointing down towards the flame.
- Light the end for 30 to 60 seconds. The wood is dense and oily, so it takes longer to catch than incense.
- Let it burn for a few seconds, then gently blow out the flame. You want a glowing tip and a thin trail of smoke.
- Walk it slowly through the room or simply rest it in its holder while the scent spreads.
- Let it go out on its own, usually within a few minutes. If it keeps smouldering, press the tip into sand or the ceramic dish.
Do you need to open a window when burning palo santo?
Yes, open one slightly. The smoke is light, but any smoke in a closed room builds up and can set off a smoke alarm. Victoria's CFA also advises against burning incense in small enclosed spaces like cupboards. In a bathroom, switch on the exhaust fan or open the window before you light it.
Keep the session short. Palo santo is strong: one or two minutes of smoke is plenty for a room.
A simple palo santo ritual for your home
Traditionally, palo santo is burned to mark a fresh start. You do not need special words; many people use the moment to slow down and set an intention. Here is a simple routine:
- Tidy the space first: clear the bench, fold the towels, open the window.
- Light the stick and let the smoke rise for a moment.
- Walk from the back of the room towards the door or window, letting the smoke drift into corners.
- Rest the stick in its holder and take a few slow breaths while the scent settles.
- Follow with something you enjoy: a bath, a candle, a book.
Palo santo pairs well with a spa bath at home or a wax melt ritual. If you prefer a lighter, longer-lasting scent, a ceramic incense burner with cones is another option: see how to use incense cones.
Palo santo vs sage: which should you use?
| Palo santo | White sage | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Wood stick | Bundle of dried leaves |
| Scent | Sweet, woody, citrus | Herbal, earthy, strong |
| Smoke | Light, short | Thicker, lasts longer |
| Embers | Few | Drops embers: always use a bowl |
| Best for | A quick daily moment | A bigger "fresh start" ritual |
Many people use sage and palo santo together: sage first for a new home or a new season, then palo santo for its softer scent. If you choose sage, read how to burn sage safely first.
Burning palo santo safely
- Never leave a smouldering stick unattended, even in its holder.
- Keep it at least one metre from curtains, towels and shower curtains.
- Burn it on a heat-proof surface, away from children and pets.
- Make sure it is fully out (no glow, no smoke) before you leave the room.
- If you have asthma or are sensitive to smoke, keep sessions very short or skip it.
Is palo santo endangered?
This is a common question, and the answer depends on which tree you mean. Bursera graveolens, the palo santo sold as sticks, is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is often confused with Bulnesia sarmientoi, a different tree also called palo santo, which is protected. Responsible palo santo is collected from naturally fallen branches rather than cut from living trees, and illegal logging still happens, so buy from sellers who can tell you where it comes from.
Buying palo santo sticks in Australia
- Ask where it comes from: ethically sourced palo santo names its region and confirms it is collected from fallen wood.
- Check the wood: good sticks are dense, slightly oily and smell sweet before you light them.
- Look for the species: Bursera graveolens, not Bulnesia sarmientoi.
Choosing a palo santo holder
A good palo santo holder is heat-proof, heavy enough not to slide, and shaped so the stick rests at an angle with its tip in the air. Ceramic, stone and metal stands all work. Pick the one that suits how you burn it.
Ceramic Palo Santo Holder
A wavy ceramic dish that cradles the stick and catches ash. Made for palo santo.
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Fireplace Palo Santo Burner
A little ceramic fireplace: lay the sticks inside and the smoke rises through the chimney.
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Spiral Palo Santo Stick Holder
A gold-tone coil holds the stick upright over a bamboo cup that catches the ash.
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Wood & Brass-Tone Palo Santo Holder
A minimal wooden base with a metal stand that keeps the stick off the wood. Four styles.
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4-in-1 Ceramic Incense Burner
One piece for palo santo, a sage bundle, an incense stick and a tealight.
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White Sage Smudge Stick
A white sage bundle for a different, herbal scent. See our sage guide below.
Shop now →Explore all our incense holders and palo santo burners.
A holder made for palo santo.
A heat-proof ceramic dish that cradles the stick, catches the ash and looks at home on a bathroom shelf.
Shop the palo santo holder
FAQs
What is palo santo?
Palo santo ("holy wood") is the fragrant wood of Bursera graveolens, a tree from South and Central America. It is sold as sticks and burned for its sweet, woody scent.
How do you use palo santo?
Light one end for 30 to 60 seconds, blow out the flame, let it smoke for a minute or two, then rest it in a heat-proof holder until it goes out.
What does palo santo smell like?
Sweet and woody, with notes of citrus, pine and mint. It is softer than white sage.
Do you have to open windows when burning palo santo?
It is best to open one slightly or run the exhaust fan. Any smoke builds up in a closed room and can set off a smoke alarm.
How long do you let palo santo burn?
One to two minutes of smoke is enough for a room. Most sticks go out on their own within a few minutes.
How do you put out palo santo?
Press the glowing tip into sand or a ceramic dish until there is no glow or smoke. Do not use water: it makes the stick hard to relight.
Can you burn sage and palo santo together?
Yes. Many people burn sage first for a bigger reset, then palo santo for its softer scent. Use a heat-proof bowl for both.
What do you say when you burn palo santo?
Nothing is required. Many people set a simple intention, like "a calm evening" or "a fresh start this week".
Is palo santo endangered?
The palo santo sold as sticks, Bursera graveolens, is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Choose sellers who source from naturally fallen wood.
