Homemade Potpourri with all Natural Ingredients
This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission.Here’s a great idea that uses simple ingredients found in most kitchens. This homemade potpourri is made with all natural ingredients and doesn’t take much time to prepare!
When you walk into your home what do you see? Is it cluttered or clean? Messy or orderly?
What sounds do you hear? Is it the pitter patter of your beloved pets welcoming you home or the laughter (or bickering) of children?
What do you smell?Pet odors or air freshener? Your spicy garlicky dinner or the scent of flowers?
I almost always notice the smells as I engage with my surroundings. (It can often be annoying!)
A pleasant scent immediately makes me feel welcome while an overpowering odor grabs my attention.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
We’ve owned pets for years and I always wonder if someone might sniff out a bad odor when they visit me. (Plus I’ve always had dogs who tend to pass gas at the most inopportune times!)
With this easy DIY homemade potpourri the worry is gone!
I love to make this recipe because it’s easy, smells amazing and adds to the festive party atmosphere when I’m entertaining.
What is potpourri?
Potpourri can be a mixture of flowers, fruit, oils and other natural scents.
Made with four ingredients, this potpourri will have your home smelling like the holidays in no time!
How to make homemade potpourri.
The cinnamon and cloves together create such a rich fragrance that I also enjoy simmering this homemade potpourri during the day to get us in the holiday spirit.
I’m a huge fan of cloves (have you seen my Instant Russian Tea recipe?)
Can you use essential oils in this mixture?
Of course you can! If you have a favorite oil just add a few drops while it’s simmering. If oils are your thing think about which ones would go well with dried fruits and spices.
Can you leave this on the stove?
Turn the stove off before all the liquid is drained and add a bit more water, freshen with oils or additional fruits and spices and you’re good to go the next day!
Simmering Homemade Potpourri Instructions
(I’ve included some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
Just a few ingredients
Instructions
Quarter the orange and add to a small saucepan (or just use the orange peel).
Place in a small saucepan (or just use the orange peel).
Add cranberries to saucepan.
Add in cloves.
Add cinnamon sticks.
Fill pan with water.
Allow to reach a boil and then reduce to lowest burner setting.
As the potpourri simmers, add water as necessary.
Substitutions
This is the perfect recipe for experimenting to get the perfect scent for your occasion. Think sliced citrus fruits, lemon peel, dried bay leaf, rosemary, vanilla extract, star anise, nutmeg or allspice. Try these one at a time or a couple together. You’re the boss!
If natural elements are your favorite expression for hosting guests try adding flower petals, fragrant leaves or pine cones to your simmering pot.
I would recommend just trying a teaspoon at a time of the spices to create a fragrance you’ll enjoy and want to use over and over.
Tips & Tricks
Don’t allow the water to evaporate. I check the water and refill as necessary every time I use it.
Buy extra bags of cranberries when they’re available around Thanksgiving and Christmas and freeze them for later.
Potpourri will last several weeks, but you can add more ingredients to freshen the scent as necessary.
It’s also possible to make this a slow cooker potpourri. I would double the water and add enough ingredients to you don’t have to keep watch over it as diligently as on your stove top.
Homemade Potpourri Printable Recipe Card and Video
Homemade Potpourri with All Natural Ingredients
Equipment
- 1 small sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 whole orange or orange peel
- ½ cup cranberries
- 1 tbs whole cloves
- 3 sticks of cinnamon
Instructions
- Quarter the orange and add to a small saucepan (or just use the orange peel).
- Add cranberries, cloves and cinnamon sticks.
- Fill pan with water and and allow to reach a boil and then reduce to lowest burner setting.
- As the potpourri simmers, add water as necessary.
Video
Notes
Favorite Drinks for Entertaining:
Hi! I’ve tried using my small crock pot but I can’t get the scent to fill the room. I’m using sliced lemons, cloves, a bit of vanilla and cinnamon sticks. I’m putting those with some water in the small crock pot on high for a bit, then lowering the temperature. What am I doing wrong!?! Lol
Hi, Holly. I’ve never used a crock pot so I’m wondering if it just doesn’t dispense the smell like a small pot. In the post I’ve added some things you can also try to add to the scent in addition to what’s in the original recipe. Hope this helps!
Fantastic idea! It smell good. Thank you for participating at Tasty Tuesday Creative K Kids. I pinned your post at Pinterest board.
I need to do this soon. I bet it smells amazing in your home. Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the party!
What a great idea! I need this in my life. With 4 kids running around sometimes I can’t always pin point smells, so this would help until I could! Lol. Thank you for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday.
I love doing this, especially this time of year. It also helps put a little moisture in the air from the dry heat.
I love to simmer potpourri on the stove top or in my dip crockpot. It’s so easy to adjust the flavour to suit your mood. Love the addition of the cranberries.
I make a very similar mix. As I use oranges, I set out the peels and dry them completely and then store in an airtight juar. I have kept them for months with no problem and as soon as you open the jar, the wonderful orange aroma greets you. I also use a simmering size or dip size crock pot for mine. I continue to add water as necessary and have added ground cinnamon as needed. It lasts for at least a couple of weeks.
That’s a great idea, Sandy. What a fun way to bottle the scents of the season!
How can i save the potpourri for couple of week? I let it dry?
Hi, Angel. I just leave it in a pan on the stove and add some water the next time I use it. It doesn’t stay pretty for very long, but that’s okay. It’s the scent of Christmas! I just throw it out when it looks really bad and start another batch. Hope that helps!
I PEEL THE ORANGES AND CUT THE PEELS INTO STAR SHAPES THEN CONTINUT AS YOU HAVE DONE….GREAT ALSO IN A TABLE TOPHEATER OR DRIED AND MIXED WITH THE OTHER INGRD
What a great idea, Libby. Thanks for sharing!
Can it be put into a jar? Ohhh I wonder if I can make it into a candle mix.
Made this potpourri today and radio station here is already playing Christmas music, so it just made me feel happy ! I do the same as you, leave the pot on the stove ( no heat on ) and use it until it looks too gross and then I toss it and start a new batch
Hi, Shirley. I do the same thing with the potpourri. I just pour it out and start over when it looks so ugly! Have a great holiday season!
Natural scents are the way to go. My mother died of cancer, and I really try to eliminate chemicals as much as possible. And really who can beat cinnamon sticks 🙂
I’m so sorry about your loss, Deborah. I have not lost anyone in my immediate family to cancer, but my sister died of a heart attack in 2000 and both my parents are gone, with my mom’s death due to nursing home neglect. Losing a loved one, especially during the holidays as everyone is celebrating, is so hard. (((hugs)))
Any Substitution ideas I am allergic to cinnamon and allspice.?
Hi, Deb. I rewrote the post to include some different options. Essential oil that doesn’t bother you is also a possibility. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing, Michele! The potpourri smells wonderful and sets the stage so well for the holidays!
Hey friend.
What do you do to with this in order to keep it for several weeks? I have made mixtures like this but throw them out at the end of the day. Thanks.
Marcy
Hey, gal. I just leave it on top of the stove and simmer when I want to. Now it won’t look pretty but it will still smell good. You can always add some fresh peel or cinnamon sticks to replace the old ones.
I use cinnamon sticks, allspice whole, nutmeg whole,ginger,add Al little water in a tin foil pan,put on burner on high until starts to simmer ,turn off and enjoy the aroma,this will last a week,just add Al little water each day. Enjoy?
Hi, thanks for sharing. Quick question! How do you think this would do in a crockpot????
Hi, Monica. I probably would not personally cook this in a crockpot just because I want to be able reuse it on other days.