How To Make DIY Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

Who doesn't want their home to smell like the holidays? It's easier than ever with my guide on How To Make DIY Holiday Stovetop Potpourri!

As I am sitting here writing this I have a pot of this recipe simmering on the stove, the whole house is filled with warm scents of cinnamon and rosemary, it smells like Christmas.

The combination of citrus, warm spices, cranberries, and rosemary come together beautifully to make the house smell divine.

I love making this, it does take a bit of time, but if you are having a party it's a great way to greet your guests when they enter your home and it makes such a fabulous, easy, cheap, low waste gift idea. You can use jars you already own or find them on trading apps like Bunz or Facebook Marketplace.

Stovetop potpourri is a mix of edible ingredients (fruit, spices + herbs) that you simmer on your stovetop for a few hours. It's a natural, homemade scent that is a better alternative to synthetic candles that can add to indoor air pollution in the home. Be sure to keep your simmer pot on low heat and replenish with water frequently.

 DIY Holiday Stovetop PotpourriPin

How to make Stovetop Potpourri?

For this particular recipe, I used 2 oranges, 2 lemons, and 2 limes. You are going to slice them into thin rounds and place them on a baking sheet.

You can either dehydrate them or bake them in the oven, at 200F for 5 hours. It’s a long time. Check them every 35 mins or so, you want them to get dry. All moisture removed.

Once they are ready, let them cool, they will harden slightly, then add them to any jar you like. All you need to do is fill the jar, I just eyeball it!

You can add some vanilla or cinnamon, I like to add dried rosemary to the jars as well. It's a great pop of color and smells simply lovely.

How to use Stovetop Potpourri?

It's so easy. You need a pot, fill half of it with water, then add the potpourri. Set your stove to very low heat, you want the water to simmer very slowly and you want to check it often, you will need to keep the water topped up. As it simmers the house will begin to smell a little like Christmas heaven.

DIY Holiday Stovetop PotpourriPin

To Make A Gift Using Your Creations

Once you have added the ingredients to a jar, you can tie a little bow to it. I also created a little label with the instructions for the person you are giving it to.

How To Make DIY Holiday Stovetop PotpourriPin

Here are some other great combinations

  • Sliced apples, cinnamon sticks, vanilla.
  • Juniper berries, rosemary, pine needles.
  • Lemon slices, vanilla, rosemary.
  • Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole clove.

Look at this! I love it! 😍

How To Make DIY Holiday Stovetop PotpourriPin
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2 thoughts shared

  1. Hi! How long do the jars last on the shelf if I don’t add the fresh rosemary? And how far in advance can I prepare the dried fruit before gifting? Thanks 🙂

    1. Comment author image

      Candice Batista

      says:

      Hi Sarah,
      You can simmer it for several hours over the course of 2-3 days. Simply replenish the water every 1-2 hours as needed. To extend its freshness, store it in the refrigerator overnight.
      thanks,
      Candice