The Science behind Reed Diffusers: How Fragrance Fills a Room Naturally

Reed Diffusers. We all appreciate how simple and effective they are—no flames, no electricity, just a steady release of fragrance. But behind that simplicity is a clever process that makes it all work.

How Do Reed Diffusers Work?

The magic starts with capillary action. Capillary action is a process found in nature, like how trees draw water up from their roots. When reeds are placed in a vessel of fragrance oil, they soak up the liquid through tiny internal channels. As the oil climbs the reed and reaches the exposed tip, it slowly evaporates, releasing scent into the air.

This system runs without batteries, heat, or flames. All it takes is gravity, evaporation, and the right materials working together.



Reeds: Bamboo v Fibre - What's the difference?

Even with the best fragrance oil and base, the type of reed matters:

Primarily synthetic Fibre Reed sticks are designed for use in fragrance diffusers. Unlike natural rattan or bamboo reeds, fibre reeds are manufactured to optimize fragrance diffusion and offer a uniform, consistent scent throw. Uniformly engineered for maximum absorption. Rattan reeds are made from natural, fast-growing rattan palm. They feature multiple tubular channels that allow fragrance oils to travel up and diffuse slowly and evenly. This results in a subtle, long-lasting scent that is less likely to clog and is biodegradable, making rattan reeds an eco-friendly and durable choice.

For high-performance diffusion, fibre reeds are the industry gold standard.

What about the number of Reeds?

The number of reeds you should use in a diffuser depends on the type of reed and the desired fragrance intensity. For rattan reeds, which diffuse scent slowly and subtly, it is common to use 6 to 8 reeds for a small room, adjusting up or down based on room size and personal preference5. Fibre reeds, on the other hand, are engineered for faster and stronger scent diffusion, so fewer are needed—typically 3 to 6 reeds are sufficient to fill a room with fragrance54. Using more reeds of either type will increase the scent intensity but also deplete the fragrance oil more quickly. Adjust the number of reeds to achieve your preferred balance of fragrance strength and longevity.

Let's talk about Fragrance Oils

Not all diffuser oils are created equal. The viscosity (thickness) of the fragrance oil has a big impact on how well it travels up the reeds and how effectively it scents a room.

• Low-viscosity oils (thinner) travel up the reeds quickly and diffuse faster, resulting in a stronger but shorter-lived scent. Oils that are of a lower viscosity are generally the citrus based oils, such as lemon, lime and orange.

• High-viscosity oils (thicker) take longer to rise and evaporate more slowly, providing a more subtle but longer-lasting fragrance. Oils that of a higher viscosity are vanilla and sandalwood based oils. 
  
  

Now what about the Base?

The base is the unsung hero. It’s what carries the fragrance up the reeds and lets it gently evaporate.  Most fragrance and essential oils are too thick to travel up the reeds on their own, so the diffuser base thins out these oils, allowing the reeds to absorb and disperse the scent effectively.

In summary

Reed diffusers work because of great science—but they shine when that science is done simply and sustainably. At Wickii, we balance performance with purpose, making products that not only smell good but feel good too.

Because scent should be effortless. And smart should always be stylish.