If you’re looking for a natural, non-toxic way to make your home smell amazing, try homemade stovetop potpourri! Please enjoy my five favorite easy and delicious-smelling simmer pot recipes. This post also includes a list of the best simmer pot ingredients to use, tips on exactly how to make and use it, and frequently asked questions like how long they last, pet safety, and more.Simmer pots, also known as stovetop potpourri, can be used to create inviting and delicious aromas any time of year – not just the holidays. Yet the cozy combinations of citrus, apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin spices are absolutely perfect for fall, Christmas, and the winter holiday season. I especially love to make stovetop potpourri before having guests over!Note: This post was originally published in December 2019.Image courtesy of Terre BleuWhat are Simmer Pots?Simmer pots are made by combining water and natural aromatic ingredients (such as fresh or dried fruit, herbs, and spices) and heating them together on the stove, hence the name stovetop potpourri. Often simmering for many hours, simmer pots release scented steam that fills the air with delicious smells – like natural air freshener!Stovetop potpourri is a great non-toxic alternative to burning scented candles or using other forms of artificial fragrance, especially for folks with asthma or allergies. Making simmer pots is very inexpensive and sustainable, especially if you use ingredients you already have available in your home or garden! Homemade stovetop potpourri kits are also wonderful DIY gifts.RELATED: See how to make holiday stovetop potpourri gift kits – including five DRY simmer pot recipes suitable for mason jars, and free printable gift tags!Dry stovetop potpourri in a jar makes an awesome DIY holiday gift. Learn more here and also get a free printable jar gift tag label!Popular Simmer Pot IngredientsBefore I share my top simmer pot recipes below, here is a list of aromatic ingredients you can use to make homemade stovetop potpourri. Feel free to mix and match things you have readily available at home. Have fun and get creative! FruitOranges, fresh or dried orange slices. Fresh fruit offers the most scent! Fresh apples or dehydrated apples Lemon slices Fresh cranberries Other citrus, peels, or zest – including limes, grapefruit, mandarin, blood oranges and more PearsSpicesCinnamon sticks, or ground cinnamon powder Nutmeg Fresh ginger, or ginger powder  Cloves, whole or ground Cardamom pods Whole star anise Pumpkin spice seasoning Herbs and GreeneryFresh or dried rosemary Mint, thyme, lemon balm, lemon verbena, oregano, or other aromatic herbs Sprigs of pine or cedar, or fresh sappy pine cones Bay leaves Lavender buds Chamomile flowers Rose petalsOtherEssential oils. We like these certified organic essential oils. Loose-leaf chai tea Maple syrup Candy canes Vanilla beans or vanilla extract. If you’re going to get fancy and use whole vanilla beans, scoop out the inside to use for baking and only simmer the outer pod/skin. There is no sense in wasting all the good stuff, since the skin alone provides a rich sweet aroma!5 Simmer Pot RecipesEach of the simmer pot recipes below is based on an average 3 to 4 quart saucepan (scale up or down as needed). Fill the pot about halfway full of water, and then add the following ingredients. I’ve provided amounts as a general guide, but exact measurements are not important! See more tips on exactly how to use simmer pots in the following section. Simplified versions of these stovetop potpourri recipes smell wonderful as well – such as rosemary and lemon, or orange and cinnamon sticks, so feel free to skip some ingredients if you don’t have them.1) Apple Pumpkin Pie 1 or 2 whole fresh apples, cut into slices 1 lemon or orange, sliced 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks or 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp maple syrup 1 Tbsp Pumpkin spice seasoning OR 1 Tbsp of whole cloves + 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg Optional: 2 Tbsp of pumpkin puree2) Warm Citrus Ginger2 fresh oranges, cut into slices Ginger. Use about a thumb-size piece of fresh ginger (cut into slices or grated), or 1 teaspoon of ginger powder 2 or 3 whole cinnamon stocks, or 2 tsp ground cinnamon powder 2 or 3 whole star anise 1 Tbsp whole cloves Vanilla. 2 tsp of vanilla extract or 1 whole vanilla bean Optional: 1/2 cup of fresh cranberriesI hate to play favorites, but this orange simmer pot recipe is at the top of my list!3) Oh Christmas Tree1 cup of fresh cranberries 1 fresh orange, grapefruit, or lemon – sliced A few sprigs of fresh cedar or pine (small Christmas tree cuttings) or rosemary 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks, or 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp whole cloves and/or a few whole star anise 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 or 2 small candy canes, or 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil4) Refreshing RosemarySeveral pieces of fresh rosemary, or 2 Tbsp dried rosemary 1 whole lemon or 2 limes (sliced) Ginger. Use about a thumb-size piece of fresh ginger (cut into slices or grated) or 1 teaspoon of dry ground ginger 1 tsp vanilla extract Optional: 2 bay leaves, fresh or driedThis refreshing rosemary simmer pot recipe is great for any season. To me, it smells like a clean home… minus the chemical cleaning products! Learn how to make natural homemade lemon and vinegar cleaning spray here.6) Lavender Mellow Mood1/2 cup dried lavender buds or 1 cup fresh (see tips on how to harvest fresh lavender) 2 or 3 Tbsp of dried chamomile flowers, or 1 to 2 teabags of chamomile tea 1 lemon, orange, or grapefruit – sliced 2 tsp vanilla extract or 1 whole vanilla bean 4 or 5 whole star anise or cardamom pods 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg Recommended: 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil (pet safe)How to Make and Use Stovetop PotpourriOnce you have your chosen simmer pot recipe, combine the ingredients in a pot about halfway full of water. Again, exact measurements don’t matter. On the stovetop, turn up the heat to bring everything to a light boil, then reduce to a low simmer. The lower the heat, the longer the simmer pot will last. Leave the lid off to release the aromatic steam. Now, sit back and enjoy the smell that will soon infuse your home! Alternatively, you could make stovetop potpourri in a slow cooker crock pot or your trusty Instant Pot, though you may want to keep the lid halfway on so it doesn’t evaporate too fast. Or, heat your simmer pot on top of a warm wood stove. Add more water as needed to keep stovetop potpourri going for many hours. I often use the same simmer pot and ingredients off and on for several days! When not in use, I simply store it on the stove with a lid.CAUTION: Keep an eye on your simmer pot and set a timer if you’re forgetful. If left unattended for too long, the water will evaporate and could burn the pan and simmer pot contents! Frequently Asked Questions How long do simmer pots last? Simmer pots can last for several days or up to a week, especially when simmered on low heat and for only a few hours at at time. Simply add more water to the pot as it evaporates. You can also add more spices, herbs, or fruit to reinvigorate the scent. Discard if mold develops. Are simmer pots safe for cats and dogs? Most popular ingredients used in simmer pots are safe to use around cats and dogs, especially the steam from small amounts of whole fruit, fresh herbs, and natural spices simmering in a well-ventilated space. Keep the pot out of reach, and covered while not in use, so pets cannot eat any of the contents. On the other hand, many concentrated essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs, so use those with caution. What to do with simmer pots when they’re done? Once you’re finished with the simmer pot, simply drain the liquid and toss the solids in your compost bin. Don’t miss our DIY holiday stovetop potpourri mason jar gift guideI wish you could smell it in here!Now go have fun making some festive simmer pots of your own. Once you do, please come back to let us know what you think and leave a review. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below. Happy holidays!You may also like these related posts:How to Dry Orange Slices for Holiday Decor, Two Ways DIY Bath Salts Recipe: Beautiful Natural Herbal Bath Salts Natural Lip Balm Recipe: How to Make Homemade Lip Balm How to Make a Fall Beeswax Leaf Garland  DIY Grapevine Wreath (or Other Vines) + Wreath Decorating Ideas How to Make Pressed Flower Pumpkins (Decorate Botanical Leaf Pumpkins) Print 5 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes (Homemade Stovetop Potpourri) Make your home smell amazing with these 5 easy simmer pot recipes for any season. Use natural ingredients like citrus, apples, herbs and spices to make homemade stovetop potpourri. Keyword simmer pots, simmering spices, stovetop potpourri Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Equipment3-4 quart sauce pan or pot for the stove, ORCrock pot or Instant Pot IngredientsUse any of the following ingredients to create whatever combinations sound appealing to you, or use what you have available on hand!1) Apple Pumpkin Pie1 or 2 whole apples, sliced1 whole lemon or orange, sliced2 or 3 whole cinnamon sticks (or 2 tsp ground cinnamon)2 Tbsp maple syrup1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice seasonings (or 1 Tbsp whole cloves and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg)2 Tbsp pumpkin puree (optional)2) Warm Citrus Ginger2 whole oranges, slicedFresh ginger (a thumb-size chunk, cut into thin slices or grated). Sub with 1 teaspoon ginger powder2 or 3 whole cinnamon sticks (or 2 tsp ground cinnamon)2 or 3 whole star anise1 Tbsp cloves (whole)2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)3) Oh Christmas Tree1 cup fresh cranberries1 whole orange, grapefruit, or lemon – sliced pinecones a few sprigs of fresh cedar or pine (small Christmas tree cuttings) or rosemary1 or 2 whole cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)1 Tbsp whole cloves and/or a few whole star anise1/2 tsp nutmegOptional: 1 or 2 small candy canes, or 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil4) Refreshing RosemarySeveral pieces of fresh rosemary, or 2 Tbsp dried rosemary1 whole lemon or 2 limes (sliced)Fresh ginger (a thumb-size chunk, cut into thin slices or grated). Sub with 1 teaspoon ginger powder1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)Optional: 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried5) Lavender Mellow Mood1/2 cup dried lavender buds or 1 cup fresh 2 or 3 Tbsp dried chamomile flowers, or 1 to 2 teabags of chamomile tea1 whole lemon, orange, or grapefruit – sliced2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)4 or 5 whole star anise or cardamom pods1/2 tsp ground nutmegRecommended: 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil (pet safe) InstructionsOnce you have your chosen simmer pot recipe, combine the ingredients in a pot about halfway full of water. (Exact measurements don't matter.)On the stovetop, turn up the heat to bring everything to a light boil, then reduce to a low simmer. The lower the heat, the longer the simmer pot will last.Leave the lid off to release the aromatic steam. Now, sit back and enjoy the smell that will soon infuse in your home! Alternatively, you could make stovetop potpourri in a slow cooker crock pot or your trusty Instant Pot, left to simmer with the lid off. Or, heat your simmer pot on top of a warm wood stove.CAUTION: Keep an eye on your pot, and set a timer if you’re forgetful! Don't let all of the water evaporate – the pan and ingredients can burn.Add more water as needed to keep stovetop potpourri going for many hours. I often use the same simmer pot and ingredients off and on for several days! Notes*Any simplified version of these combos is wonderful as well – such as rosemary and lemon, or orange and cloves. Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post 5 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes: How to Make Stovetop Potpourri appeared first on Homestead and Chill.