Dried flowers are the main ingredient of potpourri
You can use dried flowers to make your own natural potpourri
On this page you can findout more about potpourri making basics. Dried flowers have been used for home fragrance in the UK since Medieval times, and even before that! They brought a bit of perfume to what was, at the time, an often smelly world!
Lavender and garden flowers in potpourri making
Dried flowers, in particular dried lavender, were used historically to freshen rooms and laundry. Early makers of pot-pourri would have used dried rose petals and buds too, and any other herbs or dried flowers from the garden might have been added for a pretty looking and smelling mix.
Lavender is still used today in washing powder and home fragrance. You can read more about the history and uses of lavender at driedlavender.co.uk
Source ingredients from your garden if you have one
If you have a garden, have a look round for common plants which may be useful: a rose bush, a lavender bush, and herbs such as rosemary, lemon balm and marjoram. These can all be picked and dried in bunches in your airing cupboard or above a radiator. Flowers or leaves which are highly fragrant when fresh stand more chance of retaining some scent when dried.
It can be satisfying to prepare your own potpourri ingredients, and also saves some money!
You can read more on the blog about drying your own flowers but if you can’t do that, just browse our ingredients options!
Shop potpourri ingredients
Potpourri making basics – two methods
There are two commonly used methods:
Quick modern potpourri
This is easy to make and utilises synthetic purpose-made home fragrance oils. You will need:
- Potpourri base – dried flowers, petals, leaves, pods, dried fruit etc
- Home fragrance oils (not essential oils)
- Something to mix them in e.g. old tupperware
Read more on the quick potpourri making page
Traditional potpourri made with dried flowers
This is a little more complicated but may have additional aromatherapy benefits and is all natural. You will need:
- Potpourri base – dried flowers, petals, leaves, pods, dried fruit etc
- Essential oils (not home fragrance oils)
- Fixative – ground spice or orris root powder to make the fragrance last
- Something to mix them in e.g. old tupperware
The reason for the fixative is that essential oils tend to evaporate quickly – this additive keeps it in the potpourri longer and prolongs the fragrance.
Read more on the traditional potpourri making page
Do take care when making your pot-pourri – here are some things to consider
Of course there’s nothing to stop you adding a drop or two of essential oil to a quick mix, but you’ll have to top it up every couple of days. And you can add a drop or two of home fragrance oil to traditional potpourri to boost the fragrance if you wish!
You may consider adding toppers to your mix, which are optional decorative pieces to place on top.
There are of course other ways of making potpourri but they can be a bit time consuming and require fresh plant material. For example you can read about wet potpourri on the blog.
If you have questions about potpourri making basics, do get in touch!