Homemade Fall Stovetop Potpourri – Simmer Pot Recipe

Having this Fall stovetop potpourri simmering in a pot of hot water will make your house smell amazing! Make this easy simmer pot recipe fresh or dried to give as gifts!

As soon as the sweater weather sets in and the leaves are changing color, I am in the mood for all things cozy! Pumpkin recipes, comfy blankets and warm apple cider.

One of the things that puts my house in the right mood for the upcoming holiday season is to simmer a pot of homemade potpourri on the stovetop. Having the delicious Fall scents of fruit and spices wafting through my whole home is one of the things I look forward to most when it’s chilly!

One of my favorite things about stovetop potpourri is just how versatile it is. There aren’t any set rules so I can throw in whatever spices and citrus I have on hand.

But when you’re first starting out with making potpourri, it is helpful to have a recipe to go off of. This Fall potpourri blend is a combination of my favorite fruits and spices that just make my house smell like the wonderful warm and cozy scents we love this time of year.

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why you’ll like making fall stovetop potpourri

it smells amazing

If this is your first time making stovetop potpourri, I think you’re going to be really surprised by just how wonderful it smells! This combination of fruits and holiday spices smells like a combination of apple pie and pumpkin spice.

a natural Way to make your house smell Good

If you’re looking for an alternative to scented candles and air fresheners, stovetop potpourri is the way to go.

As much as I love (and miss) the coziness that a flickering candle brings, I don’t miss the headaches the artificial scents brought on.

If you are looking for a natural alternative to scented candles, try making beeswax candles made with essential oils.

Using a homemade stovetop potpourri is not only not bad for you, it’s actually good for you physically and emotionally to smell fresh, natural scents.

Another benefit to simmering stovetop potpourri is that it works as a humidifier putting moisture into the air when it’s dry in the Fall.

easy to make

Just get a pot of water simmering on the stove, add the ingredients to it and enjoy! So simple!

If you’re missing any of the ingredients, don’t overthink it. Just use what you have on hand! Stovetop potpourri recipes are always open to tweaking. Obviously, don’t use anything stinky like onions or garlic and you’ll be good…

Try these 10 dried potpourri recipes for more holiday scent combinations!

what you need to make fall stovetop potpourri

ingredients

apple – adding an apple to Fall potpourri really makes it smell like good old-fashioned, spiced apple cider.

orange – the combination of fresh citrus with all of the spices is just so delicious!

cinnamon – a couple of whole cinnamon sticks are the real stars of this mix. They are the first smell that you notice when the potpourri starts to simmer. Ground cinnamon works, it’s just a little messy.

star anise – not only is star anise such a pretty spice to look at, it adds a yummy, sweet scent to this potpourri. If you don’t have any on hand, (it can be hard to find in store) it can be left out.

cloves – whole cloves add a warmth and extra spicy scent to this recipe. Ground cloves can be used instead, but again, whole spices are less messy.

ginger – a chunk of fresh ginger really makes this potpourri smell like pumpkin spice to me. The perfect addition for Fall.

supplies

Dutch oven, saucepan or crockpot – while potpourri is typically simmered in a pot on the stove, you can use this recipe in a crockpot instead.

how to make fall stovetop potpourri:

Prep The Ingredients – Slice the orange and apple, and add all of the ingredients to a pot filled with between 4 and 8 cups of water.

Heat The Water – Place the pot on the stove over low heat.

Simmer – Let the potpourri simmer as long as you like, adding more water as needed.

tips for success:

How To Make a Dried Fall Potpourri – Use dried orange and apple slices in place of fresh and omit the ginger. Combine the ingredients together in a loosely sealed container. (dried fruits can start to mold in airtight containers) and store to use later or give as gifts.

To Use In The Crockpot – Simmer potpourri in a slow cooker with lid on and the temperature set to high.

Substitutions and Variations – Swap out the oranges for any other citrus you have on hand. Lemons and grapefruits also smell amazing in potpourri!

Add a splash of vanilla or a whole vanilla bean for a sweeter aroma.

FAQ about fall stovetop potpourri

What is stovetop potpourri?

Stovetop potpourri (or a stovetop simmer pot) is basically a combination of fresh or dry fruits, herbs and spices left to simmer in a pot of water to make your entire home smell delicious and festive!

How long can you simmer potpourri on the stove?

As long as you keep an eye on the water levels in the pot to make sure the water never completely evaporates, a stovetop potpourri can last up to 3 days.

What temperature should the stove be at for potpourri?

The stove should always be set to a low temperature for potpourri that way the water doesn’t ever fully evaporate and the potpourri doesn’t burn.

how do you make dry Fall potpourri for gifting?

To make potpourri for gifting, make sure to use dried ingredients that way your gift doesn’t turn to a moldy mush within a few days.

Place all of the ingredients in a plastic baggie, or loosely sealed jar with a cute little label explaining how to use a stovetop potpourri. And of course, add festive a ribbon for fun.

Any stovetop potpourri recipe can easily be adapted for gifting by swapping any fresh fruits and herbs for dried versions.

For this Fall potpourri recipe, I either leave out the apples or use dried apple slices and use a handful of dried orange slices in place of the fresh orange the instructions call for.

Can I make stovetop potpourri in a slow cooker?

Using a slow cooker to simmer potpourri is a great option if you don’t want to have your stovetop on all day.

Just simmer the potpourri in a slow cooker or crock pot with the lid on and the temperature set to high.

To take potpourri to your next Fall party, use a mini crock-pot and half the ingredients in this recipe.

Can I make stovetop potpourri in advance?

You can prep and combine the potpourri ingredients in advance but the fresh ingredients have a very short shelf life.

Place all of the ingredients in a sealed baggie or Tupperware in the fridge for up to 4 days.

more handmade ideas for Fall:

If you enjoyed making this simmer pot recipe, I think you’ll love making these other DIY ideas on the blog!

• How to Make a Dried Orange Garland
• How To Make a DIY Bead Garland

I hope you love this recipe for Fall stovetop potpourri! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how it turned out!

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!