How to Make Potpourri

Scented potpourri is easy to make in quantities both large and small. All you need is a little patience. Mix a little for your home, or a ton to give away. Potpourri is handy for many uses.

Making potpourri is one of those crafts that lends itself to your unlimited creativity. Choose your favorite spices, scents, flowers or botanicals. Many things can go into a dried potpourri.

What You Need
Orris Root (fixative for scent)
Your Choice of:
Dried flowers, full heads, petals or a combination
Spices
Chips of fragrant woods such as cedar or pine
Small pine cones
Cinnamon sticks
Pieces of dried fruit
Leaves (bay leaves are popular)
Dried fruit peels or dried zest (grated peels)
Herbs
Cloves
Rose hips (the cherry like round ball left on rose bushes after bloom)
Nuts
Berries…

The list is virtually endless. Many sites list popular, well used recipes and sell dried flowers, herbs and botanicals in bulk. Whatever you use, be sure it is dry. Mold is one ingredient that is not welcome in potpourri.

To begin, measure the orris root into a large mixing bowl. Generally two to three tablespoons of orris root are used for every four cups of dried botanicals. Add any other powders or spices and fragrance oil. Start with six or seven drops of fragrance oil. Keep in mind, fragrance oils are usually highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way, but they also vary from fragrance to fragrance. Adjust the amount of oil according to the strength of scent you desire for your potpourri. Mix the ingredients well and store in an air tight container for one to seven days. The scent will get stronger the longer it is stored.

After the orris root mixture has cured for a time, mix together your desired combination of flowers, herbs and botanicals. Ad the orris root mixture to your dry ingredients and store in an air tight container for four to six weeks. Shake the mix every one to three days to evenly distribute the scent.

The waiting is the hardest part, but once that is over, your potpourri is ready to use. You have only to decide what to do with it. The options are many.

Potpourri is often used for making closet and drawer sachets. Using muslin, tulle or another light, breathable fabric, sew three sides of a square, fill with potpourri and either tie or sew to close the sachet. For simple party favors to give at showers and weddings, place potpourri in the middle of a precut circle of tulle, tie with appropriately colored ribbon and add a decorative tag with the details of the day. Sachets can be placed in a drawer or hung in a closet to keep clothes fresh smelling.

Fill poly treat bags with potpourri, tie and give as gifts for neighbors, teachers and more for Christmas, birthdays and housewarmings. Likewise, nicely package potpourri for gift giving in mason jars or other interesting containers decoratively topped. Place a tulle circle under the lid and ring of the mason jar, and the recipient has only to remove the metal lid to release the scent of the potpourri, replacing the band to hold the tulle in pace.

For great smelling scent in the home, place bowls of potpourri on tables and shelves. Simmer potpourri in a pan of water for a scent that carries throughout.

Potpourri is popular for a number of uses. Done up in pretty packages or added to a gift basket, home made potpourri is a gift welcomed by all who receive it.