There is something special about stovetop potpourri. I love it especially on a chilly fall morning when the ground is still covered in frost, and it’s time to turn the heat on. It fills your home with a cozy, warm aroma all day long. The best part about it? There are no chemicals, no essential oils, and it’s all-natural. (If you use essential oils, check out Are Essential Oils Are Really Good For Us? for more information).
Believe it or not…I don’t use scented candles or essential oil diffusers in my house anymore. I have a long list of reasons why, but mainly I don’t mesh well with hormone-disrupting chemicals that cause headaches, endocrine-disrupting fragrances, and air quality.
With stovetop potpourri, my home can still smell amazing without candles. And yours can too! It’s a great all-natural way to fill your home with the best scents of the season, without the headaches!
Another reason why I love it? It adds moisture into the dry fall and winter air. Which we probably all need more of when the heat is blasting (at least in my house).
Plus, it is so easy to do. You might have to order a few things unless you make your own chai tea and have the spices on hand already. You don’t need a lot of it so if you buy it you can get so much use out of it – and even make your own chai tea after.
What You Need For Stovetop Potpourri
- Your most trusted pot (I use my cast iron dutch oven)
- 6 cups water
- About 7-10 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange
- 1 apple
- 3 star anise
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
How To Make Stovetop Potpourri
- In the pot, add water and all ingredients
- Heat to a boil
- As soon as it starts to boil, turn the heat down to maintain a simmer
- Simmer on the stove for at least 3 hours, may simmer all day if desired
Tips
- Old, bruised, and unused apples are perfect for this.
- Slice your orange and apple horizontal, long ways for esthetic if desired.
- Set a timer to check on the pot about every 45 minutes if you’re not around the area, that way you don’t forget you have something on the stove.
- When the water starts to get low, you can refill the pot and keep simmering.
- Use more or less of each ingredient as you see fit, feel free to make it your own.
- This could make a cute teacher’s gift. Just include a whole apple and orange, the spices, and print off the instructions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does stovetop potpourri last?
It will last all day long. I start mine in the morning and put it away after dinner. BUT you have to remember to top of the water. It will take more than 6 cups of water to keep this simmering all day. When it starts to get low, add at least 3-4 more cups of water as needed.
Can I use a crock pot instead?
Yes, that’s also a great idea. That way you don’t have to check up on it as much throughout the day. But
I don’t have an orange, can I omit it?
Yes, you can omit the orange if you don’t have one. You can substitute it with something else too, like cranberries.
Can I omit any spices?
You totally can, it just might not smell as intense. Feel free to make it your own with what you have available to you.
I hope you enjoy this simmering stovetop potpourri recipe as much as me. If not, let me know what you would change in the comment section.