Make Your Own Dried Herb and Citrus Potpourri
A bowl of dried herbs, citrus slices and whole spices brings a soft, natural scent to a room. Here is how to dry everything at home, mix it, refresh it and keep it away from curious pets and children.
Potpourri is simply a mix of dried flowers, leaves, peel and spices left in a bowl to scent a room. It is an old idea, and making your own is easy, cheap and a good way to use herbs from the garden or the end of a bunch from the kitchen.
This guide shows you how to dry herbs and citrus properly, gives a simple recipe and explains how to keep the bowl safe, especially if you have pets or small children.
Drying herbs properly
Good potpourri starts with fully dry ingredients. Anything left damp can go moldy and smell musty. University of Illinois Extension suggests gently rinsing herbs, patting them dry, removing damaged leaves, then tying them in loose bunches and hanging them somewhere warm, dry, airy and out of direct sun. Full air drying can take up to a month.
Short sprigs and single leaves can be laid in one layer on a screen or rack and turned now and then. Herbs are ready when the leaves are crisp and crumble easily. For potpourri, leave leaves whole where you can, as crushing releases the scent faster and it fades sooner.
Dried Herb and Citrus Potpourri
You need
- orange, sliced and oven-dried1
- rosemary, air-dried4 to 5 sprigs
- dried bay leaves6 to 8
- dried lavender flowers, optional and only in homes without pets2 tbsp
- cinnamon sticks3
- whole cloves1 tbsp
- whole star anise, optional2 to 3
Method
- Make sure every ingredient is completely dry and crisp. Leave anything soft to dry for longer.
- Place the orange slices around the edge of a shallow bowl.
- Add the rosemary sprigs and bay leaves, then scatter over the lavender if using.
- Tuck in the cinnamon sticks, then sprinkle the cloves and star anise on top.
- Set the bowl in a spot out of direct sun and away from heat, children and pets.
- Stir gently every few days to release more scent.
Tips
- Refresh the bowl with a few new dried sprigs or slices every few weeks.
- Lemon and lime slices dry the same way as orange and add brighter color.
- Store extra dried herbs in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place until needed.
- Throw away any piece that shows mold, softness or a musty smell.
Drying citrus slices
Citrus slices give potpourri color and a fresh smell. Slice an orange about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick, pat the slices dry with a towel and lay them on a rack over a baking tray.
Dry them in the oven at the lowest setting, around 90 to 100 °C (195 to 210 °F), for 2 to 4 hours, turning them every hour, until they are dry and slightly translucent with no sticky spots. Let them cool fully on the rack. If your oven cannot go this low, keep the door slightly open and check often so they do not scorch.
What the evidence says
Potpourri does one thing: it gives a gentle scent. It does not clean, purify or freshen the air in any measurable way, and it will not remove the cause of a bad smell. Fresh air and cleaning do that.
Dried herbs lose their scent over time. Illinois Extension notes that well-stored dried herbs keep their flavor for about a year, and the aroma in an open bowl fades much sooner, often in a few weeks. Gently stirring or squeezing the mix, or adding fresh dried material, brings the scent back for a while.
Some people add essential oils to make potpourri stronger. This also makes it more risky for pets. The ASPCA lists both lavender and eucalyptus as toxic to dogs and cats, mainly because of the oils they contain, while rosemary is listed as non-toxic.
Keeping it safe
Place the bowl high up, out of reach of pets and young children. Dried pieces, whole spices and cinnamon sticks can be a choking risk, and a curious pet may chew the mix.
Keep dry potpourri well away from candles, fireplaces, heaters and stovetops, as dried plant material catches fire easily. If you prefer a simmering pot of herbs and spices on the stove instead, never leave it unattended and keep the water topped up.
Questions people ask
How long does homemade potpourri last?
The ingredients keep for months if they stay dry, but the scent in an open bowl usually fades within a few weeks. Stir it, squeeze it gently or add fresh dried pieces to revive it.
Can I use the microwave to dry herbs faster?
Illinois Extension describes microwaving herbs between paper towels for short bursts, but warns that they can scorch or catch fire. Watch closely and check every 30 seconds.
Which herbs are safer if I have a dog or cat?
The ASPCA lists rosemary as non-toxic to dogs and cats, but bay laurel and orange peel are on its toxic list, as are lavender and eucalyptus. For a pet home, use rosemary with cinnamon sticks, and still keep the bowl out of reach, since whole spices and dried pieces are not meant to be eaten.
Sources
- Preserving herbs — University of Illinois Extension
- Lavender — ASPCA
- Eucalyptus — ASPCA
- Rosemary — ASPCA
- Bay Laurel — ASPCA
- Orange — ASPCA
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
