You know that specific smell of a garden right after a heavy rain? Not the flowery, department store version, but the real thing—damp soil, crushed stems, and that weirdly sweet scent of wild berries hiding under thorns. That is exactly what Where the Wild Things Grow perfume by Sorce (formerly known as Sorcellerie Apothecary) captures. It isn’t just a scent. It’s a literal mood. Honestly, most "fruity-florals" on the market today feel a bit like a plastic strawberry sitting in a sterile room. This one is different. It’s gritty. It’s lush. It feels like you’ve actually been outside.
What is Where the Wild Things Grow Perfume Anyway?
Sorce is an independent fragrance house that has basically blown up on TikTok and Reddit’s r/IndieMakeupAndMore lately. They have this knack for making scents that feel cinematic. Where the Wild Things Grow perfume is one of their heavy hitters. It was inspired by the idea of late spring turning into summer, specifically that transition where everything is green and slightly overgrown.
The scent profile is fascinating because it uses a "big" strawberry note, but it isn’t a candy strawberry. It’s a wild one. Think small, tart berries that you find in the brush, still attached to the vine. Most people who try it for the first time are surprised by the "greenness" of it. It’s got this sharp, botanical edge that balances out the sweetness. If you’ve ever smelled a tomato leaf or crushed a soda can in the grass, you’ll recognize that atmospheric vibe.
The Notes That Actually Matter
Let’s get into the weeds. Literally.
The fragrance is built on a foundation of wild strawberries and soda. Yeah, soda. Specifically, a fizzy cream soda accord that gives it this bubbly, airy quality. But don't let that fool you into thinking it's a "juvenile" scent. The "wild" part of the name comes from the green ivy, oakmoss, and galbanum.
Galbanum is a resin that smells intensely green—almost bitter. In Where the Wild Things Grow perfume, it acts as a reality check for the strawberry. It keeps the fragrance from becoming a cloying sugar bomb. Then you have the base of earthy woods and a soft, clean musk. It’s a weirdly addictive contrast. One minute you’re smelling a summer treat, the next you’re smelling the actual forest floor.
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The Different Versions
Sorce usually offers their scents in two different formats: Extrait de Parfum (alcohol-based) and Oil-based.
The alcohol spray tends to have more "throw." People will smell you when you walk into the room. It brings out the fizzy soda notes more prominently. The oil version stays closer to the skin. It’s more intimate. In the oil, the strawberry feels a bit jammer, and the earthy oakmoss lingers longer. Most fans of the brand suggest the Extrait if you want that "perfume" experience, but the oil is better if you want a secret scent just for yourself.
Why Indie Fragrance is Winning
People are tired of smelling like everyone else. If you walk into a Sephora, 80% of the perfumes follow the same DNA—lots of vanilla, lots of white flowers, or that ubiquitous "clean laundry" smell. Where the Wild Things Grow perfume succeeds because it feels hand-crafted.
Small-batch perfumery allows for more "difficult" notes. A massive corporate brand would never put this much galbanum in a perfume because they’re afraid of polarizing people. Sorce isn’t. They lean into the weirdness. That’s why it’s constantly sold out. You have to watch their website like a hawk for "restock Wednesdays" or seasonal drops. It creates this community of collectors who genuinely appreciate the art of the blend rather than just the brand name on the bottle.
How It Performs on the Skin
Perfume is chemistry. On some people, the strawberry in Where the Wild Things Grow perfume stays front and center for six hours. On others, the green ivy takes over within twenty minutes.
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- Longevity: Surprisingly good for a "green" scent. Green notes usually evaporate fast, but the cream soda and musk base give this one some legs. Expect 5 to 7 hours of wear.
- Sillage: Moderate. It’s not going to choke out a crowded elevator, but it creates a nice little "scent bubble" around you.
- Seasonality: While it screams spring and summer, there’s something strangely comforting about wearing it in the dead of winter. It’s like a promise that the sun is coming back eventually.
Misconceptions About the Scent
A lot of people see "strawberry" and "soda" and assume this is a scent for teenagers. It isn't. It’s actually quite sophisticated. It’s more "botanical garden" than "candy shop." If you go into it expecting a Bath & Body Works spray, you’re going to be confused by the mossy, damp earth notes. This is a fragrance for people who like to smell like nature, but a slightly magical version of it.
The Cultural Impact of Sorce
Formerly known as Sorcellerie Apothecary, the brand underwent a rebrand to simply "Sorce" to reflect a more streamlined, modern aesthetic. However, the soul of the scents stayed the same. The perfumer, Caitlin, has a background that seems to prioritize the "vibe" of a scent as much as the technical composition.
There is a growing trend in the fragrance world called "feral scents" or "swamp core." It sounds gross, but it’s really just a desire to reconnect with the outdoors. Where the Wild Things Grow perfume fits perfectly into this. It’s the "cottagecore" aesthetic in a bottle—but the version of cottagecore where the cottage is actually in the middle of a dark, slightly overgrown forest, not a manicured lawn.
What to Try If You Can't Get Your Hands on It
Since Sorce is a small operation, they often have "TAT" (turnaround time) that can span a few weeks, and items frequently go out of stock. If you're looking for that same hit of wild strawberry and green earth, there aren't many perfect dupes, but you can look into:
- Imaginary Authors - Cape Heartache: This also uses a strawberry note, but it’s paired with heavy pine and fir needles. It’s much moodier and more "Pacific Northwest" than the lush, spring-like feel of Sorce’s offering.
- Olympic Orchids - Blackbird: This is the "goth" cousin. Instead of strawberry, it’s blackberry, and it’s surrounded by dry grass and incense.
- Malin+Goetz - Strawberry: A very modern, "clean" take on strawberry. It lacks the wild, earthy grit of Sorce, but it’s a good entry point if you want a non-juvenile fruit scent.
Making the Most of Your Bottle
If you manage to snag a bottle of Where the Wild Things Grow perfume, don't just spray it and walk away. Indie perfumes, especially those with high concentrations of natural materials or complex accords, often benefit from "resting." When your bottle arrives in the mail, it’s been shaken up and subjected to temperature changes. Let it sit in a cool, dark drawer for about a week. You’ll find that the notes "settle" and the fizziness of the soda becomes much more distinct against the green background.
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Also, try layering. Because it has such a strong green profile, it smells incredible over a simple wood-based lotion or even a light vanilla. It’s a versatile scent that plays well with others, even though it’s a star on its own.
Final Practical Steps for Fragrance Hunters
If you're ready to dive into the world of Where the Wild Things Grow perfume, follow these steps to ensure you actually get what you’re looking for:
- Sign up for the Sorce Newsletter: This is the only way to get a heads-up on restocks. They sell out fast—sometimes within minutes.
- Start with a sample: Indie scents are unique. What smells like "wild garden" to one person might smell like "wet grass" to another. Sorce offers discovery sets that are worth every penny.
- Check the "Swaps": The indie perfume community is huge on Reddit and Facebook. If a scent doesn't work for someone, they’ll often sell it or trade it on "Sunday Destash" threads.
- Store it properly: Keep your bottle away from bathroom humidity and direct sunlight. These aren't mass-produced factory scents; the ingredients are delicate and will last much longer if treated with care.
Stop settling for perfumes that smell like a chemistry lab. There is a whole world of "wild" scents out there that actually evoke a memory or a place. Start with the strawberry patch in the woods and see where it takes you.
Next Steps for Your Fragrance Journey:
Check the official Sorce website for their current "Turnaround Time" (TAT) before ordering so you know exactly when to expect your shipment. If Where the Wild Things Grow is out of stock, look for their "Special Order" windows which typically happen once a month, allowing you to request specific scents that aren't currently in the ready-to-ship inventory.