Make Potpourri

Potpourri has many varied uses in the household, from eliminating odors to imparting a scent that matches the season. There are many possible ways of making potpourri––this article sets out the basics, after which it suggests various potpourri possibilities to try.

Steps

Potpourri ingredients

  1. Note that the basic potpourri ingredients are derived from the following constituents:
    • Scented flowers and/or their petals
    • Fragrant woods, roots or barks
    • Herbs
    • Spices
    • Fixatives (vegetable origin): roots such as orris root and vetiver root; barks/woods such as sandalwood or cedarwood raspings; resins such as patchouli, gum benzoin (gum Benjamin) or frankincense; seeds such as vanilla pods/beans, tonquin or tonka beans; peels from citrus fruits (orris root and citrus fruits tend to be the most commonly used as they're the cheapest and easiest to obtain)
    • Essential oils or quality fragrance oils.
  2. Be artistic about what you use as ingredients. While scented flowers, woods, etc., should form the majority of what is added to a potpourri, modern forms of potpourri tend to be as much about appearance as scent, so there is still room for adding unscented items that look lovely.
    • Unscented items can often be made into scented ones by the addition of essential oils. For example, nuts or cones can be rubbed with essential oils to improve the scent.
  3. Choose appropriate display containers. Potpourri can be stored in an amazing array of containers, just so long as they can hold the potpourri material and allow for the odor to escape freely. While there are custom-made potpourri holders, many household items can be used to hold potpourri too, such as trays, bowls, baskets, jars, large shells, sachets, platters and stuffed inside such items as cushions and sleep pillows.

Dry method for making potpourri

This method of making potpourri is the fastest of the two methods for making potpourri. It is also the most commonly used method.

  1. Use dry material. All plant matter must be dried out first, so as not to impart moisture when mixed.
    • When gathering plant materials, do this after the dew has dried off but before the sun has shone on the plant for too long, as this can reduce the volatile oils. Note however, not every potpourri maker finds this to be an issue; if you live in a mild and dry climate, afternoon picking may well work for you.
    • Always use the freshest and brightest flowers and herbs. Discard any plant material that looks damaged or is deteriorating in any way.
    • Both flowers and petals can be dried on sheets or paper or wire screens.
    • Petals are ready for use in dry potpourri when they are crisp to the touch. When drying them, toss regularly to ensure even air circulation and faster drying.
    • If using citrus peel, always remove the pulp and pith before drying the peel, as these moister elements can cause mold to grow.
  2. Place ground spices and a fixative into a small mixing bowl. The standard, affordable fixative is orris root, available from craft stores or florists. The ratios will depend on the recipe you're following but as a general rule:
    • Every 4 cups of dried plant material requires {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of powdered spices, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of ground orris root (or other fixative), one strip of citrus peel and 2-3 drops of essential oil.
  3. Add several drops of essential oil. The more oil added, the stronger the resulting scent.
  4. Mix the oil, fixative and spices together well. To distribute the essential oil evenly, rub the mixture together using your fingertips.
  5. In a larger mixing bowl, add all the remaining dry ingredients. The components will be determined by your recipe but usually this will be dried petals/flowers, dried leaves, whole spice pods, barks, dried moss, pine cones, herbs, etc.
  6. Combine the fixative mixture with the dry ingredients mixture in the larger bowl. Mix with your hands to distribute everything evenly.
  7. Place the ingredients into a container with a lid or seal. Set aside in a dark, dry place for four to eight weeks, or for the length of time required by the recipe. This will give the scents time to mingle and form a mature fragrance.
    • For the first week, shake the container daily.
    • Leave as long as you like beyond the suggested time; the fragrance will continue to strengthen.
    • Any part of the mixture that is not required for use can be left in the sealed container until needed.
  8. Place the dry potpourri into the display container. After tipping the potpourri in, always rearrange to ensure that the most appealing pieces are visible at the top of the arrangement. Place where you want the scents to waft forth.

Moist method for making potpourri

This method of making potpourri requires more effort and the end result can sometimes look a bit unappealing. However, the fragrance will be far greater than the dry method, which is why it is still in use for making potpourri. This method "cures" the flowers, leaves and petals and leaves a heady scent.

  1. Use partially dried fragrant flowers, leaves and petals.
  2. Place an initial layer of partially dried flowers, leaves and/or petals into a large glass jar or other suitable storage container with lid/seal.
  3. Sprinkle a layer of coarse salt over the first flower layer. This layer should be about one third the thickness of the flowers/petals.
  4. Add the next layer of flowers or petals. Press down with your fingers, then add another layer of coarse salt.
  5. Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the salt layer. Drip a few drops of brandy or vodka onto the sugar.
  6. Continue the layering as follows:
    • The next layer will be petals followed by salt.
    • The next layer will be petals followed by salt, sugar and alcohol.
    • The next layer will be petals followed by salt.
    • The next layer will be petals followed by salt, sugar and alcohol.
    • And so on, until you reach the top of the storage container.
  7. Seal the container. Place in a dark and cool place to cure. Leave for about 2 months.
    • Check every now and then. If it seems too mushy, drain off the evident liquid.
  8. After 2 months minimum, the flowers/petals should have formed a cake, cured by the salt, sugar and alcohol. Remove from the storage container and crumble this cake into the mixing bowl to which you've already added spices, fixative, herbs and essential oils.
    • The moist method is a great opportunity to use the more expensive essential oils, such as attar of roses, as you'll only need 2-3 drops.
  9. Mix together. Place into a new storage container and seal. Let sit for one month to cure again.
  10. Place in a display container. You have two options here:
    • 1. Place in an open display container. The scent will immediately diffuse through the area in which it is displayed.
    • 2. Place in a lidded container. Only open when you want the scent to infuse through the room.

Reviving ailing potpourri

Over time, potpourri will lose its potency. While throwing it out is an option, you can revive it a few times first.

  1. Place the potpourri into a mixing bowl.
  2. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil. If you don't have this, add a few drops of brandy or vodka instead.
  3. Mix to combine. Smell to see if it's still to your liking. Return to the display container.

Rose potpourri

The earliest recipes for potpourri always used rose petals and were often referred to as "rose bowls". Hence, it is fitting here to single out a recipe for a rose potpourri.

  1. Assemble the following ingredients:
    • 8 cups fragrant rose petals, dried (if possible, use "geranium red" rose, as it mimics the scent of rose geranium)
    • 3 cups rose geranium leaves, dried
    • 1/2 cup orris root powder
    • 3 drops rose oil
    • 2 drops rose geranium oil.
  2. Place the rose petals and rose geranium leaves into the mixing bowl. Add the fixative and stir thoroughly.
  3. Add the oils, drop by drop. Stir constantly as you add the oils so as to distribute them evenly.
  4. Place in an airtight storage container. Store in a dark and dry place for six weeks or more to cure. Shake the container from time to time to help redistribute the ingredients evenly.
  5. Use in a display container. Use the revival method above when the scent begins to fade.

Other potpourri possibilities

There are many varieties of potpourri and probably there are just as many mixtures still awaiting discovery. To spark your imagination, here are just a few recipes available on wikiHow that you might like to try:

  • Make Citrus Potpourri
  • Make Christmas Potpourri
  • Make Patchouli Potpourri
  • Make Apple Pie Potpourri
  • Deter Flies Using Potpourri
  • Lavender potpourri.

Beyond the bowl - more ways to use potpourri

While filling a bowl with potpourri is probably the most common use for it, there are other ways to make the most of your newly made potpourri. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:

  1. Make sachets or pillows stuffed with potpourri. Sachets can be used for adding to drawers and wardrobes to impart a delightful scent, while pillows can be used to improve sleep. Depending on the potpourri mix, you can tailor the ingredients to ward off insects, induce sleep, scent items with your favorite fragrance and enhance moods.
  2. Make potpourri bath bags. Add potpourri to muslin bags. Hang the bag under the hot water tap as it runs and the fragrance will be diffused through the bathwater.
  3. Make scented paper. Sprinkle potpourri between sheets of writing paper for a few months. When you go to use the paper, it will be sweetly scented.
    • Beware the possibility of transferring oil from the potpourri mix––it can leave marks on the paper.

Tips

  • Citrus pips and blossoms can be crushed and dried to serve as a fixative.
  • If the appearance of potpourri is important, don't keep the potpourri in bright sunlight. In just a small amount of time, direct sunlight will fade the brilliance of the potpourri.
  • Gather plant material for making potpourri at any time of the year that you deem suitable. You can store all of the materials, dried, in containers with lids (be sure to label then). Keep the containers in a dark and dry place, and get them out whenever you're making potpourri.

Warnings

  • Use appropriate care when handling essential oils. Some oils can increase sensitivity to light if spilled on the skin, while some oils can cause allergic reactions if handled by a sufferer. Know the qualities of the oils you're using.
  • Keep potpourri away from small children and pets. Potpourri is not meant to be eaten and in many cases it can be toxic if ingested. If you are concerned, use a potpourri container which has a strong snap-in lid that lets out the scent but doesn't let small fingers or paws pry it open.
  • When infusing potpourri, avoid using metallic containers for storage in case of an unintended reaction, which could mar the pleasant fragrance. Use glass, plastic or ceramic containers. If you use plastic, check that it is odor-free first, as you don't want plastic-smelling potpourri!

Things You'll Need

  • Potpourri ingredients/components
  • Fixative (for example, orris root)
  • Storage ingredients
  • Storage containers
  • Display containers

Relateds

Sources and Citations

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