Naturally Scent Your Home: 3 Simmer Pot Recipes to Try This Season

No candles. No chemicals. Just herbs, fruit, and spice on the stove.

I’ve always loved walking into a room that smells warm, inviting, and just a little bit magical — like something’s bubbling gently in the background. Over the years, I’ve turned to natural simmer pots as my favourite way to scent my home without synthetic sprays or plug-ins.

These botanical blends are simple, beautiful, and seasonal — and best of all, they use ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen or garden.

Whether you're working from home, hosting guests, or simply want to carve out a calming moment in your day, a simmer pot is a quiet ritual that adds atmosphere and a lovely natural home scent with very little effort.

What is a Simmer Pot?

Also known as stovetop potpourri, a simmer pot is a blend of fruit, herbs, spices, and sometimes essential oils, gently heated in water to release natural fragrance. You can simmer them on the hob, in a slow cooker, or even on a wood-burning stove.

3 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes for a Naturally Fragrant Home

You can freestyle these recipes based on what you have — they’re forgiving and endlessly customisable. Here's what I reach for most often:

1. Citrus & Clove Welcome Blend

Perfect for clearing the air before guests arrive.

• Orange peel

• A few slices of lemon

• Whole cloves

• A cinnamon stick

2. Woodland Retreat

A grounding, earthy scent for cooler days.

• Pine or cedar sprigs

• Sage leaves

• Juniper berries (optional)

• Orange peel

3. Spiced Apple Hearth

A cosy kitchen vibe, even when you’re not baking.

• Apple slices

• Cinnamon stick

• Star anise

• Nutmeg (a pinch)

  
  

Tips for Simmer Pot Success

• Top up the water as needed to prevent it from drying out.

• Reuse the blend once cooled — just store in the fridge for a day or two.

• Get creative: peels, herbs, kitchen scraps… it all works.

• Use a diffuser bowl after to display the blend once dry — especially in a handmade concrete bowl or dish.

  
  

From Botanical Blueprint: The Perfect Pairings

Now that your home smells amazing, why not style your dried blend in a minimalist concrete tray or bowl? Our sister site Botanical Blueprint has handmade pieces that pair beautifully with seasonal scent rituals.

Naturally Scent Your Home: FAQs

1. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, dried ingredients work well and often have a stronger scent.

2. How long can I simmer a pot?

About 1–2 hours. Just keep an eye on the water level.

3. Can I make a blend ahead of time?

Absolutely — dry blends in jars are great for gifting or prepping.

4. Do simmer pots scent the whole house?

It depends on your space, but a pot on the hob will scent a few rooms.

5. Can I use a wax burner instead?

No — simmer pots need water. But wax burners are perfect for dried blends with essential oil drops.