How to Make Simmering Potpourri | Stovetop Simmer Pot Recipe for Fall & Christmas - Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry (2024)

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Christmas· Cleaning Tips

Want to make your house smell like you’ve been baking all day, but don’t actually want to bake all day? This simmering potpourri recipe is for you! Using fruit and spices, you can create a stovetop simmer pot with the warm, cozy scents of fall and Christmas. Your house will smell amazing with hardly any effort.

I simply love the scents that go along with fall and the holiday season: pine, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, hot apple cider; they’re warm, cozy and inviting. Simmering potpourri is simply the addition of various fruits and spices to a pot of simmering water. As the simmer pot steams on the stovetop, the aroma from the mixture fills the air. Today I’m sharing a simmer pot recipe that will make your home smell like you’ve been baking all day, but it only takes a minute to throw together.

What You Need for Simmering Potpourri

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Ingredients for Simmering Potpourri

• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 Tbsp. Whole Cloves
• 1 Naval Orange or 2 Cutie Oranges (you can use the whole orange and cut it into slices, or just use the peels)
• 1/2 Cup Cranberries
• 1 Vanilla Bean (or 1-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract)

Supplies Need for A Stovetop Simmer Pot

• Stock Pot

Other Things You Can Add to Simmering Potpourri to Make Your House Smell Good

While I am using cinnamon, cloves, oranges, cranberries, and vanilla to make this simmering potpourri recipe, you can certainly experiment with other ingredients as well.

Fruit for Simmering Potpourri

• Lemon– Whether you choose to use lemon slices or lemon peels, both will add a bright, fresh note to your simmer pot
• Apple– Apple slices are a perfect addition to simmering potpourri for fall.
• Apple Juice or Cider– Add a splash of apple juice or cider to your simmering potpourri for a stronger apple scent

Spices for A Stovetop Simmer Pot

• Pine
• Rosemary– Whole sprigs or dried leaves
• Bay Leaves
• Nutmeg– Grated
• Allspice
• Ginger– Fresh slices or grated

So many possibilities!

How to Make A Stovetop Simmering Potpourri

Choose your combination of ingredients and place them into a stock pot. Fill the pot with enough water to come one inch from the top of the pan. Heat your pot on high until the mixture starts to simmer, then turn the heat to low and allow it to simmer as long as you’d like. See below for a couple things to keep in mind.

IMPORTANT: Always keep an eye on your simmer pot! As the water burns off, you will need to add more to the pot. If do not continue adding water, your potpourri will burn to the bottom of the pan… and your house is not going to smell so cozy anymore. Also, never leave your house with the potpourri simmering!

Want more ideas for creating cozy scents for your home? Check out these ideas!

• Homemade Room Spray
• DIY Wax Melts
• Fall Diffuser Blends
• Spring Diffuser Blends

Common Questions About Homemade Simmering Potpourri

How long Can I Simmer Potpourri on the Stovetop?

This will depend on the size of the pot you are using. The larger the pot, the longer it will last. As mentioned above, you need to watch your simmering potpourri very carefully; as the water level gets low, make sure to add more water to the pot to avoid it burning to the bottom. As long as you continue to add water, you can keep the simmer pot going. As an extra reminder, never leave your house with the simmer pot simmering on the stovetop!

Can I Reuse My Simmering Potpourri Ingredients?

You can continue using the same potpourri several times. Make sure to store the ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you use it again. (Remember to add more water each time you decide to simmer). If you notice the smell is off, or if the ingredients are molding, it’s time to toss them and start fresh.

Can I Simmer Dry Potpourri?

While I would never simmer potpourri found at your local retailer (as there are added perfumes and I’m not sure they would do well with simmering), there are simmering potpourris you can buy online if you’d prefer. Here are a few I found on Etsy:

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