How to Make the Perfect Potpourri Blend: A Year-Round Natural Guide

Potpourri is a lovely way to naturally fragrance your home using dried botanicals, herbs and essential oils. It’s part of a broader, slower way of living—one that celebrates nature, seasonal shifts, and the joy of using what you’ve grown or foraged.

How to Make the Perfect Potpourri Blend

There are many simple, satisfying ways to use herbs and flowers, from making syrups and herbal teas to tonics, salves, and potpourri. Whether crafting a seasonal centrepiece or a blend that lasts all year, this guide, "How to Make the Perfect Potpourri Blend", covers everything you need to know to create your fragrant mix at home.

What Are the Best Natural Ingredients for a Potpourri Blend?

A good potpourri mix balances beauty, texture, and fragrance. Here are some favourite natural ingredients to start with:

• Dried Flowers: lavender, rose, chamomile, calendula

• Fruits and Peels: orange slices, lemon peel, apple rings

• Herbs and Greens: rosemary, bay leaves, eucalyptus

• Spices and Cones: cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, pine cones

• Fixatives: orris root powder, dried vanilla pods, ground oakmoss – these help the scent last longer

Choose whole, intact ingredients for the best look and aroma. Crushed or overly brittle pieces can dull the mix.

Can I Use Fresh Flowers in Potpourri, or Do They Need to Be Dried?

While it might be tempting to use fresh petals, potpourri works best when everything is thoroughly dried. Fresh flowers and herbs hold too much moisture and can quickly go mouldy.

How to dry them:

• Air drying: tie bunches and hang upside down in a cool, dry space

• Pressing: place petals between sheets of paper and weigh them down

• Dehydrator/air fryer: great for quick results—see tips below

Drying helps preserve scent and colour, making your blend last much longer.

Tips for Drying Fruits, Herbs and Flowers for Potpourri

Drying your ingredients is rewarding and often more fragrant than shop-bought options.

Air Drying (Ideal for flowers and herbs)

• Hang bunches upside down in a dry, shaded space for 1–2 weeks

• Best for lavender, rosemary, sage, rose petals and similar plants

• Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading

Oven Drying (Great for fruit slices)

• Thinly slice oranges, lemons, and apples

• Bake at 80–90°C with the door slightly ajar for 2–4 hours

• Flip halfway through for even drying

Using a Dehydrator or Air Fryer

• Many air fryers now have a dehydrate setting

• Use 55–60°C and check regularly

• Works well for citrus, herbs, and even flowers

• Always follow your device’s instructions

Storage Tip: Once dried, keep ingredients in airtight jars until you’re ready to blend. This protects the scent and keeps moisture out.

What Essential Oils Work Best in Potpourri?

Essential oils give your blend an extra scent boost, especially once the natural fragrance starts to fade.

Top oils to try:

• Floral: lavender, geranium, rose

• Citrus: orange, lemon, bergamot

• Herbal: rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint

• Spicy/Woodsy: clove, cedarwood, cinnamon

How to use:

• Add 5–10 drops of essential oil to your dried mix

• Gently stir to distribute

• Let it sit for a few days in a sealed container before displaying

• Refresh the scent every few weeks if needed

Fixatives like orris root help anchor the scent, so it lasts longer.

How Can I Create a Seasonal Potpourri Blend?

Changing your blend with the seasons keeps things fresh and in tune with nature.

Spring:

• Dried lilac, lemon peel, mint, rose

• Oils: geranium, grapefruit

Summer:

• Lavender, citrus slices, rose petals

• Oils: lemon, basil, ylang ylang

Autumn:

• Apple rings, cinnamon sticks, dried orange, and clove

• Oils: nutmeg, cedarwood

Winter:

• Pine cones, eucalyptus, dried cranberries, star anise

• Oils: frankincense, orange, peppermint

Keep it sustainable by using what’s in season or drying your own herbs and trimmings from the garden.

How Do I Make a Potpourri Blend That Lasts All Year?

To keep your potpourri looking and smelling lovely for months:

• Store unused blends in airtight containers out of direct sunlight

• Refresh scent with a few drops of essential oil as needed

• Use a natural fixative (like orris root) to help the aroma linger

• Rotate seasonal blends every few months—freshens your space and keeps things interesting

Optional DIY refresher spray:

Mix water, a splash of vodka (to disperse oil), and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. When the scent starts to fade, lightly mist your potpourri.

Conclusion

Making potpourri is a gentle, creative way to bring natural fragrance into your home. It connects you to the seasons, encourages slow living, and uses what’s already around you—from dried citrus to garden herbs.

Whether you're blending rose petals and lavender or spicing things up with clove and orange peel, potpourri is a beautiful reminder that nature offers us so much—all year round.

How to Make the Perfect Potpourri Blend FAQs

1. How long does homemade potpourri last? If stored properly, homemade potpourri can last 2 to 6 months. Using a fixative like orris root and topping it up with essential oils will help keep the scent fresh for longer.

2. Can I reuse old potpourri? Yes, you can refresh old potpourri by adding a few drops of essential oil and giving it a gentle stir. If the ingredients have lost colour or texture, consider replacing them with freshly dried botanicals.

3. What’s the best way to store potpourri when unused? Store potpourri in an airtight jar or tin away from heat and sunlight. This helps preserve the fragrance and prevents moisture from getting in.

4. Can I use herbs and flowers from my garden? Absolutely! Homegrown herbs and flowers are ideal. Just ensure they’re fully dried before being used in potpourri to prevent mould. Foraged finds can also be used—just be mindful of what you take and leave plenty behind for wildlife.

5. Do I need special jars or containers to display potpourri? Not at all. You can use ceramic bowls, glass dishes, or vintage tins—whatever suits your space. If you're giving it as a gift, brown glass jars or fabric sachets tied with twine make lovely rustic packaging.