How to Make Potpourri at Home

EQUIPMENT

• Oven (if drying in oven)▢
• Baking sheet (if drying in oven)

SUPPLIES

• Fresh flowers or dried flowers
• ▢Fragrance oils
• ▢Orris root powder
• ▢Mason jar lids
• ▢Organza bags (basic or stylish)
• ▢Parchment paper (optional for oven drying)

DIRECTIONS

Oven Drying Fresh Flowers

1. If using fresh flowers from the garden, pick the flowers in the morning after the dew has evaporated.
2. Trim off any thick stems. If desired, you can remove petals from layered flowers like roses.
3. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet (optional), and gently lay the flowers on a baking rack, face up.
4. Bake the flowers in the oven at 200°F (93°C) for 1-2 hours until the flowers have fully dehydrated. Continue baking the flowers in batches until you have the desired amount of dried petals.
5. Place the dried flowers in a paper sack or bowl. Then, add 5-10 drops of fragrance oil or essential oil. Toss gently to combine the mixture.
6. Add 1-2 tbsp of orris root powder to the mixture, and gently toss to combine.
7. Let the mixture sit overnight. Then, place the potpourri in a mason jar or sachet bag for gifting.

Using Store-bought Dried Flowers

1. Follow steps 5-7 above.

NOTES

• Add more drops of fragrance oil if the scent fades over time.
• For best results, keep the potpourri out of direct sunlight. This prevents colors from fading and preserves the scent longer.
• If you seal the mason jar too soon, flowers can become wilted or damp due to moisture that hasn’t fully evaporated. You can use a flower frog lid on the mason jar to allow moisture to escape.
• If you don't have 2 hours to wait in the oven you could also do it at 275°F (135°C) for 1 hour.