Pot-pourri

POT-POURRI ..... a general description, ideas for making, alternatives, and also where to buy the essential oils required.

Pot-pourri is, in essence, a mixture of dried petals with spices! It is a delightful, rather old-fashioned, concept. I think it's lovely to be able to carry forward this traditional use of flower petals into the modern world.


Two ideas for you for if you don't have the time and/or the facilities to make your own mixture.

You can either buy ready-made... for this option a useful hint to follow is to put a tablespoon or two of coarse table salt into the bottom of the receptacle you are using for the pot-pourri. If you are using a see-through glass dish you can color* [see * note below] the salt to match your petals so that it blends in.

Also add a few drops of Essential Oil... (please check out our superior suppliers below) for long-lasting fragrance... the best choice would be Sandalwood or Frankincense. These hints will increase the perfume and improve the keeping qualities of your pot-pourri.

The other option is to just add some coarse sea-salt (you could color* it if you like...[see * note below]) to a pretty container with a few drops of essential oil. Use, for preference, at least in part, those oils mentioned above. Other oils could be added as an extra, for example, Lavender.

You could then decorate your 'potpourri' with either pine cones of various sizes or sea shells. Quick, easy, and extremely effective!

*[I find the easiest way to color the salt is to put it in a small strong polythene bag, with a few drops of cake (icing) coloring, tie the bag firmly, then shake around until it is an even color throughout.]

Making Your Own Pot-pourri

Your mixture will be the end product of months of collecting flowers, leaves, and petals. Of drying them, and maybe sorting them according to a particular color scheme which you desire to achieve.

To dry your plant material you will need to strip your florets from the stalks [hyacinths are lovely] and take individual petals from the calyx [roses]. Some leaves are highly scented like lemon balm so if they fit into your color scheme, add them too, just take the leaves off the stems.

Then arrange the plant material on newspaper in a warm, dry place... like an airing cupboard. Stir them around carefully, daily until they are crisp and dry.

Once you have sufficient petals you can begin to assemble some additives.

There are many different potpourri recipes but I think the best all require about 2 oz. of kitchen salt (again you can choose to color it if required) to be added per quart of petals, with a few drops of essential oil (as above).

Next a trip to your local herb & spice, health food, or chemists shop to acquire some cinnamon, nutmeg, dried citrus peel, vanilla pods and orrisroot. The citrus peel and orrisroot should be dried out and chopped up or powdered. About a teaspoon of each is adequate.

Now seal the mixture in a large jar or bowl, turning or shaking it lightly daily for about 10 days.

It should now be ready to use as required

The following supplier deals in Essential Oils, (USA based, ships Internationally) and also Herbs, Herb Seeds, Spices, and Herbal Teas. A prime Organic Supplier since 1987.

With a delightful name, Mountain Rose Herbs, and location... this is only exceeded by their eagerness to please, and their efficiency.

The website is delightful and SO easy to negotiate... click the link below to visit them now...    Essential Oils for pot-pourri from Mountain Rose Herbs

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