Katrina Rosales
Potpourri is a mixture of dried scented flowers and leaves that can be enhanced with essential or fragrance oils, which can be used to fill your home with a pleasant aroma. The art of creating potpourri has been around since medieval times and is a great way to get creative with essential oils. The best potpourri has a carefully designed appearance and a delightful fragrance. To make your own potpourri, you can use aromatic leaves, flowers, or fragrant stems, along with a fixative like oak moss or cedar to preserve the scent. When adding fragrance oils, use around 1/4 to 1/2 fluid ounces of oil per 16 cups of potpourri, depending on the strength of the oil. You can also use refresher oils to revive tired potpourri by adding a few drops of oil to a handful of potpourri and gently mixing it with your hands.
How to use fragrance oil potpourri
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main scent | Aromatic leaves, flowers, or fragrant stems |
| Ingredients for colour | Calendula, poppy, sage, tansy, or borage |
| Fixative | Oak moss, cedar, sandalwood, orris root, or cellulose fibre |
| Type of oil | Essential oil or fragrance oil |
| How to use oil | Add a few drops of oil over the top of the arrangement |
| Amount of oil | 1/4 – 1/2 fluid ounces of fragrance oil per 16 cups of potpourri; 1/16 – 1/4 fluid ounces of essential oil per 16 cups of potpourri |
| Refreshing oil | Use refresher oils to refresh potpourri at any moment |
| Storage | Store covered for six weeks |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a scent: Aromatic leaves, flowers, fragrant stems, or essential/fragrance oils
- Fixatives: Oak moss, cedar, sandalwood, orris root, or cellulose fibre
- Blending: Combine all flavours for a nice aroma
- Quantity of oil: 1/4-1/2 fluid ounces of fragrance oil per 16 cups of potpourri
- Refreshing: Use refresher oils to revive potpourri
Choosing a scent: Aromatic leaves, flowers, fragrant stems, or essential/fragrance oils
When it comes to choosing a scent for your potpourri, you have several options. You can use aromatic leaves, flowers, fragrant stems, or essential/fragrance oils.
Aromatic Leaves
Potpourri can be made using a variety of botanicals, including aromatic leaves. Examples include rose, lavender, calendula, and marigold. When choosing leaves for your potpourri, keep in mind that they dry quickly, so you may not need a large quantity.
Flowers
Flowers are a popular choice for potpourri, as they offer a wide range of colours and fragrances. Some popular options include rose petals, lavender buds, and tulips. If you're using highly scented flowers, opt for subtle essential oils to complement the fragrance. Conversely, if your chosen flowers have a light fragrance, you can use fixatives and oils with a stronger odour.
Fragrant Stems
In addition to leaves and flowers, you can incorporate fragrant stems and spices into your potpourri. Cinnamon sticks and cloves are classic choices that provide a warm, inviting aroma.
Essential/Fragrance Oils
Essential oils and fragrance oils are key ingredients in creating long-lasting, fragrant potpourri. Essential oils offer natural scents with aromatic benefits, while fragrance oils provide more consistent or unique scents that may not be achievable with natural ingredients alone. You can choose a single oil or create your own custom blend to suit your preferences.
To use essential or fragrance oils in your potpourri, simply add a few drops to your mixture. You can also use refresher oils to revive your potpourri when it starts to lose its scent over time. These oils are designed to be added directly to your potpourri or to the container in which it is stored.
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Fixatives: Oak moss, cedar, sandalwood, orris root, or cellulose fibre
Fixatives are essential to preserve the scent of potpourri and prevent it from smelling like old hay within a few months. Oak moss, cedar, sandalwood, orris root, and cellulose fibre are all fixatives that can be used to achieve this.
Oak moss, or dried moss, adds a woody yet sweet element to the potpourri. It can also be used for texture and bulk. Cedar, on the other hand, provides a fresh, clean, and woodsy note to the mix. Sandalwood, which is native to India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, offers a similar effect, adding a pleasant aroma to the potpourri blend.
Orris root, derived from the dried and powdered root of the Iris 'Florentina', is another potent fixative. It has a mild scent on its own, but even a small amount can significantly alter the fragrance of the potpourri. Orris root is also believed to be a potent love potion when sprinkled on pillows and bed linen. However, it is important to note that some people may be allergic to orris root, so it should be used with caution.
Cellulose fibre, generally made from ground corn cobs, is another option for a fixative. It helps to hold and preserve the scent of the potpourri, ensuring that it lasts longer and maintains its fragrance.
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Blending: Combine all flavours for a nice aroma
Blending is an art when it comes to creating a nice aroma for your potpourri. You want to create a flowing, pleasant scent, not a harsh mix of different aromas. The best way to do this is to carefully select and combine all the flavours.
Firstly, choose your main scent. This could be aromatic leaves, flowers, or fragrant stems. For example, you could use calendula, poppy, sage, tansy, or borage, as these flowers dry well and retain their colour. You can also add spices for colour.
Next, you'll need a fixative. This holds and preserves the scent. Oak moss, cedar, sandalwood, orris root, or cellulose fibre are all good options.
Now, it's time to add your oils. If you're using fragrance oils, you'll need about 1/4 to 1/2 fluid ounces of oil per 16 cups of potpourri, depending on the strength of the oil. If you're using essential oils, use a smaller amount – around 1/16 to 1/4 fluid ounces per 16 cups of potpourri. Remember, you can always add more oil later, so start small.
Once you've added your oil, gently mix all the ingredients together. If you're using the dry method, simply combine everything in a large bowl or paper bag. If you're using the moist method, you'll need to add a few drops of water or vodka to help dissolve the fragrances and energise the mixture.
Finally, transfer your potpourri to some wide-mouth jars with tight-fitting lids. Store it covered for around six weeks, stirring it weekly. After this curing time, your blended potpourri should have a consistent, pleasant aroma.
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Quantity of oil: 1/4-1/2 fluid ounces of fragrance oil per 16 cups of potpourri
When using fragrance oils with potpourri, it is important to use the correct amount of oil to ensure the best scent throw and longevity. For every 16 cups of potpourri, you will need between 1/4 and 1/2 fluid ounces of fragrance oil. This amount ensures that the scent of the oil will be evenly distributed throughout the potpourri and will last for a reasonable amount of time.
It is important to note that this ratio may vary slightly depending on the type of potpourri you are using. If your potpourri is made with highly absorbent materials, you may need to use a little more oil. On the other hand, if your potpourri is less absorbent, you may need to use a little less oil.
To achieve the desired scent strength, it is recommended to start with the lower amount of oil and add more as needed. It's easy to add more oil if the scent isn't strong enough, but it's difficult to reverse the process if you add too much. Adding too much oil can result in an overpowering scent and may shorten the lifespan of the fragrance.
When measuring the oil, it is important to use a precise measuring tool, such as a glass dropper or a measuring spoon, to ensure accuracy. Once the oil has been added to the potpourri, use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly mix the two together. This helps ensure that the fragrance oil evenly coats all of the potpourri ingredients.
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Refreshing: Use refresher oils to revive potpourri
Potpourri refresher oils are a great way to add fragrance to your home. These oils are available in many different scents, such as citrus aromas and floral scents, and can be used to revive the scent of your potpourri.
To refresh your potpourri, start by placing the faded potpourri in a large bowl or a ziplock/plastic bag. If using a bowl, ensure it is not made of finished wood. Next, add 5 to 10 drops of your chosen refresher oil. If using a bowl, you can simply add the oil and then toss the potpourri until it is evenly coated. If using a bag, seal the bag tightly and shake it gently to ensure the oil is evenly distributed throughout the potpourri. Let the potpourri sit for about an hour or even overnight before returning it to its dish.
You can also add a "fixative" like Tincture of Benzoin to make the scent last longer. Simply add 2 or 3 drops of the fixative to a mixture of alcohol and essential oil. Other fixative oils include myrrh, cedarwood, frankincense, oakmoss absolute, Peru balsam, sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver.
It is important to note that refresher oils are not the same as essential oils and should not be used in electric diffusers or sprayed into the air. However, they can be used as a reed diffuser, wax melter, or regular potpourri. Always keep refresher oils away from children and pets, as they can be a choking hazard and some oils may be toxic.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fragrance oil to use depends on the strength of the oil. A good starting point is about 1/4 to 1/2 fluid ounce of fragrance oil per 16 cups of potpourri.
If your potpourri is in a bowl or basket, you can add 5-10 drops of oil directly to the container. If you'd prefer to avoid getting oil on the container, place your potpourri in a plastic bag first, then add the oil and toss gently with your hands.
You can use either essential oils or fragrance oils for your potpourri, depending on your preference. Essential oils offer natural scents with aromatic benefits, while fragrance oils provide more consistent scents that may not be achievable with natural ingredients alone.
To enhance the fragrance of your potpourri, try using a stronger fixative, adding more oil, incorporating nuts into the mixture, or including a charcoal briquette to absorb any unwanted odours.
