How To Make Pot Pourri: In The Slow Cooker Or On The Stovetop

Perfect for making your house smell amazing during the Holidays, this homemade all-natural potpourri is also great for gifting or giving a hostess gift with a difference. Easily made in bulk, this potpourri displays just beautifully in a glass jar with a cute little gift tag and a pretty ribbon. Printable gift tags with instructions are included at the bottom as well, so you can give your homemade gift a lovely personal touch.

This recipe for homemade potpourri is inspired by my Spiced Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider recipe, which is just gorgeous and brings so much color to the Holiday table.

Jump to:

• Homemade Potpourri
• How To Make Natural Potpourri
• How To Prepare This Potpourri For Gifting
• Tips, Tricks and Substitutions For The Perfect Homemade Potpourri
• Need More Inspiration For Creating The Perfect Atmosphere At Home During The Holidays?
• Recipe

Homemade Potpourri

Ditch all of the harsh chemicals and weird ingredients found in store-bought potpourri and opt for this beautiful all-natural homemade potpourri using fresh ingredients instead.

You will need:

• Fresh Cranberries
• Dehydrated Orange Slices 
• Sprigs of fresh Rosemary
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves
• Star Anise 

If you plan on gifting the potpourri then you will also need a glass jar for storing, and some string or ribbon to tie on the gift tag.

To use the potpourri mix you will need either a slow cooker or a stovetop pan.

How To Make Natural Potpourri

The best bit about this all-natural homemade potpourri is that it is super easy to bring together!

Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and transfer them to a glass jar with a lid. If you plan on gifting then simply print off and tie the gift card to the jar.

Done.

You now have the perfect gift in a jar.

When ready to use, simply add the contents of the jar to a slow cooker or a stovetop pan with about 4-6 cups of water.

Simmer over a low heat on the stovetop, or on the high setting in the slow cooker, and get ready for some amazing smells to be wafting through your house.

As the water reduces, simply add more a little at a time.

Once used, the potpourri can then be stored in the fridge for about 5-7 days and reheated, again and again, to fill your house with that beautiful Holiday smell.

The intensity of the fragrance may dissipate over the course of the week, but you can always add a splash of vanilla essence or orange essential oil to spruce things up a bit.

How To Prepare This Potpourri For Gifting

If you plan on gifting your fresh potpourri, then you will want to print out a little gift tag to tie to the jar so that the recipient knows how to use it.

You can either copy and paste these instructions below and make your own tag, or download the PDF here:

Potpourri can be cooked on the stovetop or in a slow 

cooker.  Add all ingredients to a saucepan or slow 

cooker with 4-6 cups of water. Simmer on low if 

using stovetop. If using slow cooker, set on high and 

cook as desired. Add additional water as needed. Add a 

splash of vanilla or almond extract for an added twist.

Once activated store in refrigerator when not in use 

for 5-7 days.

Reheat as desired to fill your home with 

a holiday scent.  

Easy done.

Why not use scraps of string or leftover ribbons or twine to tie on the gift-tag instead of buying new! And use old glass jars with the labels removed.

Tips, Tricks and Substitutions For The Perfect Homemade Potpourri

If you don't have the exact ingredients listed, feel free to make some substitutions using what you have on hand.

• Substitute dehydrated grapefruit, clementine, tangerine or lemon slices, or use a combination of what you have on hand;
• If you don't want to go to the effort of dehydrating oranges, you can easily substitute one fresh clementine in place of the dehydrated orange slices. Please note: that the smell won't be as intense as when using dehydrated orange slices, and the potpourri will need to be used straight away if you chose this option as the fresh oranges will go off a lot quicker. Thich is why we prefer to use dehydrated orange slices;
• If your jar or container is larger or smaller than the amount of potpourri the recipe makes, you can simply add more or less ingredients until your container is filled to the desired amount, or you have enough for more than one jar;
• This homemade potpourri can also be heated on the stovetop if preferred, just follow the slow cooker instructions and heat on low instead of high.

If you want to change things up you can always add a splash of vanilla extract or add a drop or two of orange or lemon essential oil.

Need More Inspiration For Creating The Perfect Atmosphere At Home During The Holidays?

Warm flavors and tones make for a perfect Holiday season at home.

Try sprinkling some fresh rosemary sprigs, dehydrated oranges, and star anise in the middle of your Holiday table for a quick and easy decorating option.

Try these recipes to also help set the perfect scene.

• Dehydrated Orange Slices
• Easy Instant Pot Apple Cider
• Homemade Fall Harvest Hot Crockpot Apple Cider
• Whole Wheat Cranberry and Pumpkin Bread
• Vanilla Bean and Fresh Cranberry Butter
• Cranberry and Honey Cornbread Muffin
• Clove and Cranberry Apple Sauce in the Instant Pot
• Spiced Pear Moscow Mule from A Southern Soul

Happy eating, drinking and being merry.

xx

Recipe

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.