The air is crisp and golden leaves are swirling outside my living room window, which in my house means it’s time for homemade honey-scented beeswax candles, snuggling under our wool comforter to read, and of course, a pot of spices simmering on the stove.
Yesterday I peeled some apples for homemade apple crisp, then tossed the skins into this glass tea kettle with with orange peels and a few spices. It can be used directly on the stovetop as long as I use medium heat to slowly bring the water to a simmer, and I love how pretty it is.
The stovetop potpourri made my home smell like freshly baked deliciousness all day and into the evening, so I wanted to share it with you.
Of course, you can adapt the recipe to use what you have on hand. If you have fresh ginger and/or lemon peels, toss them in! Want to add a little vanilla extract? It will smell delicious.
DIY Mason Jar Gift Idea
Also, with a few tweaks – for example, using dried orange slices instead of fresh – this stovetop potpourri makes a beautiful and thoughtful DIY gift. I’ve included instructions for making both versions below.
Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty. As if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” ~ Lauren Destafano
Simmering Stovetop Potpourri For Fall
Ingredients
Recipe Using Fresh Ingredients
- 4 apple peels
- 2 orange peels
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 star anise (optional)
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- ½ tsp whole cloves (optional)
- ½ tsp whole allspice (optional)
Recipe Using Mostly Dried Ingredients
- 3-5 dried orange slices (here's how to make them)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary OR 1.5 teaspoons dried rosemary OR 2-4 bay leaves
- 2-3 star anise
- ½ tsp whole cloves
- ½ tsp whole allspice
Instructions
Stovetop Directions for Fresh Simmering Potpourri
- Add ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Allow to simmer uncovered for as long as you like, but check the water level occasionally to make sure the pot doesn't run dry. Add water as needed.
Slow Cooker Directions for Fresh Simmering Potpourri
- Add dry ingredients to your crock pot.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and then add it to the crock pot.
- Set the crock pot to low and add water as needed.
Instructions for Making Dried Simmering Potpourri As A Gift
- Combine all ingredients in a 16 ounce wide-mouth mason jar.
- If desired, tie some baking twine around the top and dress it with a gift tag burlap, brown paper, etc.
- Include the following instructions for your recipient (or just tell them what to do when you hand it to them). * Pour the ingredients in a pot.* Add enough water to cover them (about 2 cups).* Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. * Allow to simmer uncovered for as long as you like, adding water as needed so the pot doesn’t run dry.
Recommended Glass Teapots
Anytime I post a photo of one of my glass teapots I always get questions about where to find them. Here’s a list of my top five favorites, including a few that are stovetop safe.
More Aromatic Recipes To Try
My Favorite Essential Oil Blends for Fall – If you prefer to use essential oils instead of leftover citrus and apples peels, this article includes nine recipes that will make your house smell like vanilla bean lattes, spiced chai, crisp mountain air, apple cider, autumn leaves, gingerbread and more.
Holiday Stovetop Potpourri – Brimming with the aroma of cranberries, orange slices, fresh rosemary (or sprigs from your Christmas tree) and a few other things, I love how this simmering potpourri fills my home with holiday cheer.
14 Holiday Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes – These recipes are inspired by warm gingerbread, evergreen forests, spiced cider, sugar cookies, peppermint lattes and more.
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Sarah
An you use powdered spices?
Sarah
*Can
Heather
Yes, you can 🙂
Connie
Hi, there,
I’ve not done this before…do you think I could add some white pine needles to get the addition of a coniferous/woodsy scent? Am thinking…Christmas…
Heather
Yes!
Jeanette
I love it
Elisabeth
Hello, could you just tell me how long you can use this once you start boiling it? 3 days or even longer? Thank you!
NH
Is there any way to do this without using the stove? Like maybe on a wax burner?
cin
You could do it in a slow cooker – just keep making sure the water doesn’t run out…
Stacy
OK So this may be a dumb question but do you mean 4 individual peels from one apple or peels from 4 apples, same question for the orange. Love your newsletters and glad to see you back.
Thank you
Heather Dessinger
4 apples and 2 oranges 🙂
Carol L
I found those very tiny crock pots at thrift stores and purchased several. They are PERFECT for this. But just as mentioned in the post, make sure you check it several times a day to make sure it doesn’t run dry. Got them for about $5 each
(They also work great for melting things if you don’t have a double boiler!!!)