Fill your home with the warm fragrance of citrus spice, while combating the cool, dry winter days with this easy-to-make crockpot potpourri recipe.
Citrus. Spice. And everything nice.
That is just what an all-natural potpourri recipe should smell like!
Several years ago my cousin gave my mom a bag of homemade potpourri for Christmas. On the recipe card it said to toss the contents into a pot of hot water, simmer and enjoy. It was delightful! Ever since then my Mom has been mixing up a potpourri similar to the one she was given and placing it in her miniature crockpot on the kitchen counter.
The recipe below for slow cooker diy potpourri is adapted from the original recipe my cousin gave my Mom. It includes fresh oranges, lemon and plenty of warm spices. I typically start using this recipe when the cold, dry winter air officially settles in. You know those days where static electricity runs amok in the home? You go to turn on a light switch or huddle up under a blanket to relax and you get ZAPPED!
I have found it is best to avoid anything with fleece during this “shocking” season.
Thankfully simmering this potpourri recipe in a slower cooker or on the stovetop adds moisture to the dry air in our home, helping to reduce static electricity as well as dry eyes and chapped lips that can sometimes occur in the winter while sleeping.
To make the potpourri, all you need is a crockpot — any size will work — some fruit and spices. I like to get my whole spices in bulk for a local amish shop. But Azure Standard is also a great place to purchase them. Simply place the chopped fruit and spices in a slower cooker, cover with water, turn on low and simmer for several hours. As the water evaporates, I often top it off with a little extra liquid so that it will last for a couple of days.
Video Tutorial
Slow Cooker Potpourri Recipe
Ingredients
1-2 oranges sliced or cut into 1 inch pieces
1 lemon sliced or cut into 1 inch pieces
1 Tbs whole cloves
1-2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 Tbs whole all spice
How to Make a Homemade Air Freshener
Remove the lid from your favorite slow cooker and set to the side — you won’t be needing it for this recipe.
Chop the oranges and lemon into 1 inch chunks. Place the fruit pieces into your slow cooker. Add the cloves, all spice and a cinnamon stick. Pour water over top until it reaches the top inside edge of the crockpot.
Turn slower cooker to low and allow the mixture to simmer throughout the entire day. Add more water as needed.
Kitchen Notes – How Do I Make Potpourri in a Crock Pot?
Potpourri will last anywhere from 1-4 days provided you continue to fill the pot with water. You will need to refresh it with new ingredients once the fruit begins to discolor, look mushy and you can no longer smell the simmering aroma of citrus spice.
If you have a miniature crockpot, simply divide the recipe in half. I have several slow cookers. I often use my minis with the potpourri and run them throughout the entire winter to add humidity and fragrance into the air.
Don’t have a crockpot? No problem! Toss the citrus and spices into a pot on the stovetop. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for several hours.
This recipe is completely customizable. Don’t have any dried all spice? Try some freshly grated nutmeg. Fresh herbs or vanilla extract also make a great addition to the homemade potpourri recipe.
Have leftover citrus peels or scraps? Toss them into the pot!
Looking for more natural fragrant recipes to add to your home? Try this aromatic bath salt recipe.
Citrus Spice Crockpot Potpourri
Ingredients
- 1-2 oranges sliced or cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 lemon sliced or cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 Tbs whole cloves
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 Tbs whole all spice
Instructions
Remove the lid from your favorite slow cooker and set to the side — you won’t be needing it for this recipe.
Chop the oranges and lemon into 1 inch chunks. Place the fruit pieces into your slow cooker. Add the cloves, all spice and a cinnamon stick. Pour water over top until it reaches the top inside edge of the crockpot.
Turn slower cooker to low and allow the mixture to simmer throughout the entire day. Add more water as needed.
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