Homemade Potpourri For Fall Recipe

Make a homemade potpourri for fall using just a handful of simple ingredients that’s perfect for the transition to the seasons. Your house has never smelled so good with all the flavors of fall once this stovetop or slow cooker potpourri recipe is simmering!

Original recipe posted: November 2016 | Recipe updated: October 2020

Why This Recipe Works

One of the fun little touches I like to add to any fall day (or a festive holiday like Thanksgiving!) is to make a batch of homemade fall potpourri. It simmers quietly in my crock pot or on the stovetop but either way, it fills my home with glorious fall scents.

Oh my goodness, you guys, it’s like autumn itself oozes out of the pot. You have to give this a try. It’s so inviting and there are times when it’s not possible to invite the smells in from outside, so this recipe is perfect for creating it naturally!

What Is Potpourri

Potpourri is an easy way to create an inviting scent into your home. It can be dried and emitted in an open space in your home. In this potpourri recipe, simply simmering a mixture of fresh ingredients over a low heat does the trick.

Fresh and dried fruits, cinnamon sticks and spices, plant materials and sometimes essential oils will transform the scents in your home!

Recipe Ingredients

Apples – Slice into chunks any type of apple on hand – they all work!

Oranges – The smell of citrus in the air is delightful so don’t skip this ingredients!

Cranberries – Select fresh, frozen or dried and add them to the batch.

Cinnamon sticks – You don’t want to use powder in this case, the sticks come from the inner bark of a few trees and are great to add aromatics to recipes in addition to flavor.

Cloves – These dried flower buds from a clove tree and look like a nail, are very fragrant are a complimentary smell with the cinnamon and citrus.

Whole allspice – Allspice is a round ball, bigger than a peppercorn kernel and in this whole state will bring out a fall smell perfect to the recipe.

Whole nutmeg – This earthy smelling nut offers a unique smell similar to pine cones and will round out your potpourri scents.

How To Make Your Own Potpourri 2 Ways

Option 1

Gather all of the ingredients, then place them into a slow cooker. Cover and cook for 2 hours on High heat.

Remove cover, turn to Low heat heat. Let it cook slowly on your counter and your home will smell amazing for HOURS! Stir occasionally to give the ingredients a good stir.

Option 2

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to Low heat and simmer for 4-6 hours for fresh-smelling potpourri.

Ingredients To Add To Potpourri

• Dried apple slices/dried fruit
• Nutmeg
• Fresh apples
• Grapefruit slices (rind on)
• Lemon slices or peels
• Cinnamon and cloves
• Pine
• Essential oils (any citrus)
• Star anise
• Rose petals

How Long Will Potpourri Last

This homemade fall potpourri recipe is good for one day. The heat will absorb the scents from the ingredients for 6-8 hours. Be sure to toss out the used remnants.

To recreate the aroma, throw another batch of potpourri together.

I love this version of an air freshener because I know exactly what’s in my pot or slow cooker. No chemicals are involved and the ingredients are all things I typically keep on hand. I hope you love it, too!

Potpourri Is A Great Gift For Friends

Give the gift of fall! Potpourri is a perfect gift idea for loved ones. Fill a mason with favorite ingredients and maybe even a pine cone or two! Place a gift tag on it and let them fill their home with comforting and delicious scents.

FAQ About Potpourri

Great DIY Gifts For Friends

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If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!