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DIY Autumn Potpourri
Two methods to bring the scents and shades of the season indoors.
As the air cools and the leaves shift to gold and rust, there’s a natural urge to bring the cozy, seasonal feeling indoors. Fall has a way of inspiring all the senses, and homemade autumn potpourri is one of the simplest ways to bring the warm, spiced feeling to life.
Whether simmered on the stove, styled in a bowl, or packaged as a thoughtful gift, seasonal potpourri is a simple project that instantly transforms a space.
Gather Seasonal Ingredients
There’s no need to overthink potpourri, because the appeal lies in its simplicity and using what you may already have on hand. Ideally, potpourri is made from a combination of fragrant plant materials; it’s less about precision and more about what scents you enjoy. Consider these classic autumn ingredients:
- Seasonal fruits, including apples, cranberries, pears, pomegranates, and figs
- Warm spices, such as cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, nutmeg, and star anise
- Herbs, such as fresh or dried rosemary, sage, and thyme
- Woody elements, including pine cones, fir needles, and pine or cedar bark
- Dried flowers, such as roses, chrysanthemums, or marigolds for color and softness
Choose Your Method
If you want your home to smell like fall in minutes, a stovetop potpourri is your best friend.
To create a simmer pot, simply fill a medium saucepan with water and add a handful of fresh or dried fruit slices, along with the peels, herbs, and spices. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat. You should see small, gentle bubbles, not a rolling boil.
Keep the lid off so the aroma can fill your home, and let the pot simmer on the back burner over the lowest heat setting for a couple of hours. Be sure to check it regularly, adding more water as needed to keep the ingredients covered and prevent the pot from drying out. If you have pets or children, be sure to secure the area around the stove to prevent burns, and do not let the pot simmer overnight.
For something that lingers longer and doubles as décor, dry potpourri is the way to go.
If you’re using fresh fruit or herbs, you’ll need to dry them first. Begin by washing, drying, and slicing any fresh ingredients into thin, even pieces. Spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and roast at the lowest oven temperature (around 170–200 F) for two to four hours, flipping halfway through, until completely dry. Fresh herbs can be dried in the oven for 30 to 60 minutes on the lowest setting.
Once fully dried, combine the fruit, herbs, spices, woody elements, or any other seasonal botanicals in a large bowl. Lightly crush a few of the spices or herbs to help release their natural fragrance. For a stronger, longer-lasting scent, add a few drops of essential oil, such as orange, cinnamon, clove, or cedarwood.
Shallow bowls, glass jars, and wooden trays all work beautifully for displaying potpourri and look great on entry consoles, coffee tables, in bathrooms, or on bedside dressers, where they’ll catch the eye (and nose). For an extra seasonal touch, arrange pumpkins, gourds, or dried corn husks nearby to tie everything together. Again, if you have pets or children, be sure to keep the arrangement out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
Because potpourri is highly customizable, it makes for an easily personalizable and meaningful gift. Package it into Mason jars, paper boxes, or small fabric sachets, then finish it with twine and a note with simple instructions. It’s a thoughtful and affordable way to spread some warmth this season.
Here are 12 more fall crafts for a cozy home.
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