Herb Society article about rose petal potpourri
It was great to be asked to write an article for the Herb Society magazine Herbs earlier this year. The article has just been published in the September issue. Preserve the fragrance of your Summer garden using this traditional potpourri making method.
How to make wet potpourri
The wet method of potpourri making is little used because the result is not very decorative, but it can produce a really exciting perfume. I top mine with pretty dried flowers from my garden. (Wet potpourri is not to be confused with simmering potpourri where fragrant ingredients are boiled on the hob).
Wet potpourri method
1. Pick four cups of scented petals from your garden. I chose rose petals stripped from the bud.
2. Allow your flowers and leaves to wilt overnight, but do not dry them further.
3. Layer in a glass or ceramic straight sided container such as a kilner jar. In between each layer of petals, sprinkle salt, spices and a drop or two of essential oil. I used mixed spice powder, and rose and lemon essential oils.
4. Press the layered mixture down with a weighted saucer to remove air pockets, seal tightly, and leave to cure.
5. Stir after two weeks, and after 3-4 weeks the potpourri is ready to use and will have shrunk to about one cupful.
6. Display in a glass or ceramic bowl, with dried flowers decorating the top if liked, refreshing as necessary with a drop or two of essential oil or pure alcohol.
[Avoid contact of essential oils with polished, painted or synthetic surfaces and textiles. Keep oils and potpourri out of reach of children and pets]
Read about roses and potpourri making on this blog
Find out more about potpourri making
Read more about drying the Rosa Mundi flowers which grow in my garden
Buy potpourri making ingredients
FAQs
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of dried rose petals with 1/4 cup of dried rosemary and 1/2 cup of dried lavender. Toss in 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves, cinnamon, dried rosebuds, and orange peels. Add a few drops of rose or lavender oil. Then, add 1/4 teaspoon of a fixative such as crushed orris root.
How to activate potpourri? ›
Use a pot or crockware that you will not want to cook food in. Add 3 tablespoons of any of our potpourris to 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer on the stove or in a simmering pot. The scent will last for hours.
Can you make liquid potpourri? ›
Homemade liquid oil potpourri can be made with essential oils that please your senses, and can be burned and warmed in candle burners and potpourri warmers.
How do I make homemade potpourri? ›
Instructions for DIY Potpourri
- In a large bowl, combine your dried flowers, herbs, and spices in your desired proportions. ...
- Add essential oil drops according to your scent level preference.
- Sprinkle Orris root powder over the mixture in a ratio of one tablespoon of fixative to two cups of dried material.
Two trusty ways to make your potpourri smell stronger are to add more essential oil to the mixture every so often or to agitate it. Shake the container or stir the potpourri to release more scent.
How do you make potpourri with rose petals and essential oils? ›
Method – turn the dried flowers into potpourri
- Place the dried roses in a plastic bag and add a few drops of fragrance oil.
- Seal the bag and shake gently to disperse the oil.
- Leave sealed for a few hours for the oil to permeate.
- Display in your chosen bowl.
- Refresh with a drop or two more of oil as the fragrance fades.
Dried potpourri will last 10 to 14 days in an airtight jar. Once you begin simmering your potpourri, the mixture will remain fresh and fragrant for several day.
Why do you put hairspray on dried flowers? ›
Hairspray helps prevent color fading and helps minimize any fallout from your dried bouquet, too. Here's how to use it. Start by drying your fresh flowers at home. Hang fresh flowers upside down in a cool, dark location until they are completely dry (about two to three weeks).
Why do my dried flowers stink? ›
Dried flowers may start to smell foul when they are not cared for properly. This can happen as a result of over-watering or storing the flowers in humid environments, which effectively causes mildew growth.
What can you spray on dried flowers to make them last? ›
Once dried, take down the flowers and spray with unscented hairspray for protection.
It can include cedar chips, pine cones, dried fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, whole nuts, dried berries, or dried flower pods. A NOTE ON OILS: If using fragrance oils, I suggest about ¼ – ½ fluid ounces of oil per 16 cups of potpourri, depending on the strength of the oil.
Why is potpourri not smelling? ›
Remove dust from your potpourri if you want to keep it smelling fresh- put the potpourri in a sealable bag, then make holes on the side and shake. Accumulated dust should fall out leaving your potpourri clean as new.
Do you add water to potpourri? ›
Stovetop potpourri seems to spread fragrance better than any candle or air freshener can. Making it is easy, too. Grab some things that smell nice, throw them in a pot, add liquid (usually water), and heat on low. Ahhhhh, big inhale.
Can you add water to potpourri? ›
For a stronger aroma, try simmering your potpourri mix with water and several drops of essential oils in a potpourri burner. This infuses your entire home with a sweet-smelling fragrance. As an added bonus, you can choose from a wide variety of burners — from electric to candle-powered — to meet your unique home needs.
Is potpourri wet or dry? ›
Potpourri (/poʊpʊˈriː/ poh-puu-REE) is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings.
[Avoid contact of essential oils with polished, painted or synthetic surfaces and textiles. Keep oils and potpourri out of reach of children and pets]