Texas Living

Sweet Aromas with Stovetop Potpourri

By M. Elise Giller 11.18.15

A Sweet Aroma

Candles promise decadent scents like evergreen trees, crème brûlée, and orange blossom, but they don’t always deliver. Plus, they can cost a pretty penny.

Fortunately there’s a much easier (and less expensive!) way to make a room smell great: stovetop potpourri. Potpourri? Yep, it’s not just for dresser drawers and closets. In fact, with a few ingredients from your cupboard and a saucepan of boiling water, you can transform your whole house into a paradise for your nose.

Here’s how to make easy stovetop potpourri:

  1. Pick your scent. Start with a few slices of fruit, throw in some fresh herbs and a cinnamon stick or two, and you’re good to go. There are an infinite number of fun blends to try, but here are a few recommended combinations:

Apple pie. Apple slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract
Herb garden. Rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, lemon slices
Citrus cooler. Orange slices and lemon slices
Spice road. Cinnamon sticks, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves
Forest fresh. Pine branches, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf
Mint crisp. Mint sprigs, lime slices, peppermint extract

  1. Pour 2–3 cups of water and your preferred ingredients in a small saucepan.
  2. Bring water to a boil, and then reduce heat to low.
  3. Add more water as it evaporates from the saucepan, and let the aromas delight your senses!

The hardest part of making stovetop potpourri: remembering to turn off the stove when you’re finished for the day. Keep this rule in mind and you’re golden!

Now that your house smells nice, dress up your digs with these autumn decorating ideas.