Dry Method for Making Potpourri



Use suggested herbs, spices, woods and oils in our article on Potpourri to enhance your scents.

1. Dry flowers and leaves until they are crisp. Use our Preserving Flowers method to obtain well formed whole buds or petals.

2. You will need a large container in which to mix your potpourri. A glazed crock is perfect. Plastic containers will absorb the scents of your mixture.

3. Place flowers, leaves in container. Add spices, crushed citrus peels and a fixative. Mix gently with your hands. Make sure you dig to the bottom and bring to the top.

4. Add oils - one drop at a time. Mix well after each addition. You may want to use surgical or rubber kitchen gloves to mix in the oil. The scent is strong and will linger on your hands for quite a while even after washing.

5. Add whole citrus peel, whole spices and any whole flowers being used to add color and decorations. Mix again.

6. Place in large jars or sealable freezer bags. Ensure they are sealed tightly.

7. To get the best results leave for six weeks to mature. Shake every other day

Suggested Uses for your patiently waited for mixture can be put in sachets to give as gifts or bag and give with a glass container



Moist Method for Making Potpourri



Moist potpourri does not look as pleasing to the eye as the dry method; however, the scent should hold up to five years. If it is well made, it could last decades. Rose petals form the base of a good moist potpourri. Later, crushed or ground spices, a fixative and dried herbs are added at which time the mixture is left to cure.

You will need one cup of salt to every three cups of petals. The petals, when measuring should be tightly packed.

Start with fresh petals first and layer with salt in a large crock pot until approximately two thirds full. Weight down and leave for two to six weeks - the longer the better.

Moist potpourri can be made over a period of time as well. If you don't have enough petals, add over the next few days as they become available from your garden. Better yet, find a large crock and continue the process throughout the summer using petals from a variety of sweet smelling flowers. Be sure to stir well before adding another layer of petals. After you have added the last layer, leave the mixture for at least two weeks.

If your mixture starts to bubble or ferment, stir it every day and do not add any more flowers for about a week. If excess moisture forms in the crock, carefully pour it off and add to your bath water.

The end result of this process should be should be dried out and caked. When the petals have formed a dry cake, empty onto a large clean surface and break into smaller pieces.

Add six tablespoons of dried herbs for every gallon of caked petals. To this, include not more than ten ounces of mixed spices, fixatives citrus peel. Our article on Pot Pourri can give you some guidance in adding compatible scents.

Store your potpourri in an opaque container.

NOTE: Old recipes called for Bay Salt. Today, you can use non-iodized sea salt. Create a mixture of equal parts of coarse and fine salt. Dry in a low oven for several hours before using.

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Check out our other related articles and pages.

Herbal Scents - for your closets and drawers
Lavender Baskets - made from fresh lavender sprigs
Cinnamon Shapes - make for yourself or as a gift
Crafters Gallery - crafters and artists display and share their creative talents.
Lavender Sachets - lavender sachets to make
Crafts Kids Can Make


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