A candle burns down. A bowl of fall potpourri just sits on the counter and smells like October.
This one takes a large bowl, a handful of dried ingredients, and four essential oils. Nothing to light or plug in.
At a glance
Oils: Pumpkin Spice Blend, Cedarwood, Nutmeg, Cinnamon
Total oil: 10 to 15 drops
Rest time: 1 to 2 days, sealed
You'll need: a large bowl, an airtight container, and a decorative bowl or sachets
Why make your own potpourri?
Because you choose the smell. Spicy, woodsy, or mellow depends on which oil lands on which ingredient.
Dried ingredients are porous, so they hold onto oil instead of letting it disappear. That's the whole reason potpourri works, and it's why a bowl can keep smelling like fall long after a spray would have faded.
What goes in fall potpourri?
Eleven ingredients, grouped by what they bring to the bowl.
Sweet and fruity
- Dried orange and apple slices: sweet scent and fall color, and they take up Cinnamon and Nutmeg oil well.
- Dried cranberries: a pop of color and a touch of tart.
Warm and spicy
- Cinnamon sticks: whole or broken into pieces for more fragrance.
- Star anise: subtle on its own, with spicy depth.
- Whole cloves: spicy and slightly sweet, a fall staple.
- Whole nutmeg: adds texture and a mild, sweet spice.
Woodsy and earthy
- Dried pinecones: a rustic look, and they soak up oil easily.
- Bay leaves: mild and earthy, with a hint of mint.
- Mini pumpkins or gourds (dried): a seasonal touch that absorbs oil well.
Soft and herbal
- Dried lavender buds: a gentle floral note that balances the spice.
- Rosemary sprigs: earthy and fresh.
Which oil goes on which ingredient?
Each oil pairs best with certain ingredients. These are the four pairings to start with:
| Ingredient | Oil | Drops |
|---|---|---|
| Orange and apple slices | Cinnamon or Nutmeg | 3-4 |
| Pinecones | Cedarwood | 3-4 |
| Mini pumpkins or gourds | Pumpkin Spice Blend | 3-4 |
| Whole cloves | Nutmeg or Cinnamon | 2-3 |
Those counts add up to about 10 to 15 drops for the whole bowl, not per ingredient. If you have drops left, spread them across the rest of the mix.
Want to build your own blend?
Pick a direction:
- Warm and spicy: orange, apple, and cloves with Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
- Woodsy: pinecones, bay leaves, and rosemary with Cedarwood.
- Mellow: lavender buds with Cedarwood or Nutmeg.
Pumpkin Spice Blend works across all three. It pairs well with star anise, bay leaves, and rosemary too.
How to make it
Step 1
Mix. Combine your dried ingredients in a large bowl.
Step 2
Add the oils. Place 10 to 15 drops of your chosen oils directly onto the ingredients. Use fewer drops for a softer scent and more for a stronger one.
Step 3
Toss and seal. Toss gently so the oil spreads evenly, then move everything to an airtight container for 1 to 2 days so the scents can blend.
Step 4
Display. Set it in a decorative bowl, or fill small sachets and tuck them around the house.
Where to put it
A bowl suits the entryway table or kitchen counter, where the scent greets you. Sachets suit drawers, closets, and shelves, where you want something subtler.
When the scent fades, add a few more drops and toss. Keep the bowl out of reach of kids and pets.
Frequently asked questions
How many drops of essential oil do I need for potpourri?
Use 10 to 15 drops for one large bowl. Start with fewer and add more after the mix has rested.
How long should potpourri sit before I use it?
Let it rest in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days so the scents blend.
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
This recipe is written for dried ingredients, which hold onto oil well.
What essential oils smell like fall?
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cedarwood, and Pumpkin Spice Blend are the four used in this recipe.
Ready to make yours?
Pick your oils, gather your ingredients, and give the bowl a day or two to come together.
Shop DIY fall potpourri oilsLooking for more to add to the bowl? Browse DIY ingredients.