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Seasonal scents of Christmas fill the air with this pot of fresh stovetop potpourri. It’s your favorite holiday scent with a few ingredients.

Pot filled with Stovetop Potpourri.
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Christmas potpourri

We LOVE the smells of Christmas, and love that we can now fill our home with the smells of the season with a pot of fresh and vibrant Christmas stovetop potpourri!!

Stovetop potpourri is perfect for days when you’re hosting a house full of company or simply hanging out at home. It’s sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Although this potpourri is popular around Christmas time, it’s perfect for ALL the holidaysThanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year! It’s the best seasonal scent and whips up in minutes.

Skip the candles and freshen your home with the natural scents of the season!

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Scents of the season. Enjoy the aromas while baking up some Christmas Cookies or a few batches of Fudge!!
  • Natural aroma. Put the candles away and naturally freshen your home the natural way with your favorite holiday scents.
  • Lasts for days! The potpourri will be at its most fragrant on the first day. Add new ingredients to help revive the aroma, but discard after 3-4 days. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the water level. 
Fresh ingredients for Stovetop Potpourri.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cranberries or diced apples – fresh or dried
  • 1 orange – fresh or dried. Replace the orange slices with grapefruit slices, lime or lemon slices, mandarin orange slices, or tangerine slices. They will still blend nicely and give a slightly different scent. Add to or replace the citrus with apple slices.
  • 2-3 springs rosemary
  • 2-3 sticks cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 4-6 cups water more as needed

Change it Up

Once you have the hang of the original recipe, feel free to play with the spices. Increase or decrease the spices in the recipe. Add other herbs and spices such as vanilla, whole nutmeg, fresh mint, or star anise. 

Pot filled with ingredients for Christmas Potpourri.

How to make Stovetop Potpourri

  1. PREP. Cut your orange into slices or quarters and place the orange slices in a cooking pot. Add 1 cup cranberries and 2-3 springs of fresh rosemary, 2-3 sticks of cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons whole cloves.
  2. SIMMER. Pour 4-6 cups of water into the pot. Simmer over very low heat.
  3. ENJOY! Continue to simmer, allowing the fragrance to fill your home for about 4 days. Check the water approximately every hour. Add ½-1 cup to bring up the water levels. Turn the stove OFF when you aren’t able to monitor it every hour.
    • The potpourri will be at its most fragrant on the first day. Add new ingredients to help revive the aroma, but discard after 3-4 days. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the water level. 

Slow Cooker Directions

Place the lid on the crock pot to prevent evaporation. Turn the pot to HIGH heat and let it fill the whole house with Christmas cheer. 

Stovetop potpourri as a gift with free tag attached to it.

Turn it into a gift

Use our free printable Holiday Gift tag to turn this into a cute neighbor gift.

  • Place the cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in the bottom of a bag or in a mason jar.
  • Add a whole orange on top.
  • Tie a ribbon around the bag or jar, along with an instruction tag. 

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5 from 2 votes

Stovetop Potpourri

By: Lil’ Luna
Seasonal scents of Christmas fill the air with this pot of fresh stovetop potpourri. It's your favorite holiday scent with a few ingredients.
Servings: 1 batch of potpourri
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup cranberries, or diced apples
  • 1 orange
  • 2-3 springs rosemary
  • 2-3 sticks cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 4-6 cups water, more as needed

Instructions 

  • Cut your orange into slices or quarters and place it in a cooking pot. Add cranberries and spices.
  • Pour 4-6 cups of water into the pot. Simmer over very low heat.
  • Continue to simmer, allowing the fragrance to fill your home for up to 4 days. Check the water level approximately every hour. Add ½-1 cup to bring up the water levels. TURN OFF the stove if not able to check it every hour.

Notes

Duration. It is most fragrant on the first day. Add new ingredients to help revive the aroma, but discard after 3-4 days. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the water level. 
How to store.
  • If using fresh produce, it can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before simmering.
  • If using dried produce, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month before simmering.
Crock pot. Simply place the lid on the crock pot to prevent evaporation. Turn the pot to HIGH heat and let it fill the whole house with Christmas cheer. 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store stovetop potpourri?

If using fresh produce, refrigerate for up to 2 days before simmering.
If using dried produce, store at room temperature for up to 1 month before simmering.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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1 Comment

  1. Roni Henriksen says:

    5 stars
    This is nice to make in a small crockpot. Leave on the counter & you still have all of your store for cooking.