Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

Learn How to Make Potpourri with oranges, apples and the perfect trifecta of fall and winter spices. This homemade potpourri recipe is so simple, and with a few tips and tricks you’ll have a warm and cozy natural fragrance!

Gift it to your friends and family during the holiday season to warm their homes and hearts.

Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (1)

I love gift giving any time of the year, but it’s also wonderful just before Thanksgiving – before the hustle of the holidays, when it’s a little unexpected. I like to consider it a little “thankful for” gift.

This homemade potpourri can be enjoyed on the holiday itself simmering on a stove top or all winter long in a dish. It’s a perfect project for a cold afternoon at home and will fill your home with fragrance!

A great potpourri begins with great grocery store ingredients. There are no right or wrong ingredients, it’s all a matter of preference. However, I love this combination of fruits and spices in fall and winter.

I’m a huge fan of calming, subtle fragrances in our home, just like my Stovetop Potpourri recipe. Don’t skip this post if you are too: 8 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Great!

Homemade potpourri is both fragrant and beautiful, which makes it perfect for gift giving. I love a good homemade gift, because they come straight from the heart! Don’t miss 40 Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts, my favorite Hostess Gift Ideas, and 40 Creative Christmas Ideas!

Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

What is Potpourri?

It’s been around since ancient! In fact, you might remember a dusty (likely ancient) bowl of potpourri in your grandmother’s bathroom, if you’re anything like me!

The word “potpourri” translates from the French word pot-pourri, which might have come from words for “stew” and “pot” quite literally.

Potpourri is a blend of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials. When blended and enhanced, they provide a gentle scent in your home in a more natural way.

Why You’ll Love this Homemade Potpourri

  • So easy to make
  • Natural ingredients
  • Great alternative to synthetic scents and room sprays
  • Doubles as both fragrance and decor
  • Perfect for gifting

Shopping List

  • 1 apple (sliced in rounds)
  • 1 orange (sliced in rounds)
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons cloves
  • 5-6 star anise

Homemade Potpourri Ingredients

*For full ingredients and instructions, see printable recipe card.

  • Apples – Fresh in round slices! Any of your favorite variety will do. I really enjoy the fragrance of Pink Lady and Gala apples.
  • Oranges – Fresh, sliced in rounds. The more popular Navel oranges work wonders for a potpourri with oranges, but if you want more of a variety for the holiday season, try Cara Cara or Blood oranges.
  • Cinnamon – Cinnamon sticks are beautiful, long lasting and hold scent exceptionally well.
  • Cloves – This is the one spice that sings all things holidays to me. Keep a jar on hand for all your holiday recipes.
  • Star Anise – I really like the sweet, licorice scent of star anise, especially during the holidays. The whole stars make a beautiful presentation for the potpourri gift, too!

Variations

  • Try pretty dried orange peels for an added decorative element.
  • Add dried flowers (whole or petals) for another pretty touch.
  • Want it to be a little stronger? Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
  • To make a truly Christmas potpourri, try adding touches of dried cranberries and pine cones.
Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)

How To Make Potpourri

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Slice the apples and oranges.
  3. Place on baking sheets and bake.
  4. Once dry, blend with remaining ingredients.
  5. Place inside a jar for gifting. Allow to “marinate” for a couple days before using or gifting.
Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)

Tips

  • Use a mandoline to slice the fresh fruit for the best thin and even slices.
  • Placing the sliced fruit in a single layer ensures the slices will dry evenly. Use two baking sheets, if needed.
  • Apples will continue to crisp once they’re removed from the oven. Oranges will stay about the same texture.
  • Allow the flavors to meld together for one day before gifting.
  • Want it to be a little stronger? Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
  • To make a truly Christmas potpourri, try adding touches of dried cranberries and pine cones.
Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (5)

How to Use Homemade Potpourri

  • Homemade potpourri can be placed in a dish for up to a few months… the perfect time frame for those long winter months.
  • Get a little extra life out of your dried potpourri by using the stovetop method before disposing of it.
  • For the stovetop method and one-time use, boil two cups water, add potpourri and reduce to a simmer. Just make sure to check it after a few hours, as the water will start to reduce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does potpourri last?

Homemade potpourri will last around three months. You can add drops of your favorite essential oils to help the fragrance last longer.

How do you keep potpourri smelling fresh?

Move it around here and there to re-activate the fragrance. Drops of essential oil will also help renew the fragrance.

Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)

How to Wrap Christmas Potpourri

  • Place in a pretty glass jar with a lid.
  • Wrap in a clear cellophane bag and tie with a lovely bow.
  • Place inside simple muslin sachets.
  • Use these printable gift tags for a customized touch.

How to Store

I like to store and gift my homemade potpourri in classic weck jars. The clear glass makes for a beautiful gift. Small mason jars would work, too.

Christmas Fall Gifts Home Thanksgiving

You May Also Like

Design Guides, Decor & Tips

Scalloped Home Decor

Design Guides, Decor & Tips

Serena and Lily Look for Less

Design Guides, Decor & Tips

Amazon Pillow Covers

Fragrant Homemade Potpourri Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

How to make potpourri smell stronger? ›

How do you make potpourri smell stronger? Two trusty ways to make your potpourri smell stronger are to add more essential oil to the mixture every so often or to agitate it. Shake the container or stir the potpourri to release more scent.

What is a good fixative for potpourri? ›

Essential Oil & Fixative

To these ingredients, you'll add a few drops of a compatible essential oil. Oils give a stronger, more long-lasting scent than dried ingredients alone can provide. The best known fixative is orris root, which should be available wherever you purchase your essential oils.

How do you activate potpourri? ›

Simmer it.

For a stronger aroma, try simmering your potpourri mix with water and several drops of essential oils in a potpourri burner. This infuses your entire home with a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Can you put essential oils in potpourri? ›

Simply add your favorite essential oils to your potpourri, shake or stir it up and you are ready to enjoy it again for several more weeks.

How much orris root to use in potpourri? ›

The secret ingredient to making potpourri last is orris root powder. It acts as a fixative to enhance the scent of the fragrance oils and preserve the potpourri longer. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the powder to your dried floral mix, and toss it gently.

How to make cheap potpourri? ›

To assemble the stovetop potpourri gift

Place a handful of dried orange rind into a jelly jar. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, cranberries, and pine sprig, and close jar.

How do you make woodsy potpourri? ›

Here's how to mix up a batch of woodsy potpourri from autumn's bounty: — Fill a large mixing bowl with such things as small pinecones, seedpods, cedar chips or shavings, bits of bark, seeds and pressed colorful leaves. — Add dried orange, lime and lemon peels, and dried orange slices.

What can I use instead of orris root powder? ›

I started with powdered orris root and was using an equal amount of that and arrowroot. Powdered roses and sandalwood are also big favorites of mine. Some other choices are chamomile, calendula, orange flowers, lavender or just about anything you can manage to grind up.

How do you reactivate potpourri? ›

The easiest way to refresh the scent of old potpourri is to simply sprinkle a few drops of essential oil directly into the potpourri itself, or in your case the Pine cones. This may not last very long but you know it is fresh and the benefits of essential oils diffusing is always a plus.

Does potpourri lose its scent? ›

How long does the scent last? The scent of our potpourris will last anywhere from 2 months to years, depending on the blend you choose, where it is placed and how it is used. By keeping it in a place that is free from direct sunlight and breezes, it will last longer. A sachet enclosed in a drawer will last for years.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 5993

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.