How To Make Potpourri from Dried Flowers
Potpourri has a wide array of uses and is a great way to create something beautiful and practical from dried herbs and flowers. You can make potpourri in a variety of scents ranging from floral and fruity to spicy. You can make potpourri according to the season and ensure you always have a pleasing aroma in your home or place of business. While you can use essential oils as a base for homemade potpourri, you can also press and dry your own flowers and herbs. You can create potpourri from herbs and flowers that you grew in a garden, as well as those from bouquets and other cuttings. Not only is potpourri a great way to add fragrance to your own living space, it also makes a wonderful gift.
Techniques for Drying Flowers
- Determine which method you will use to dry flowers. Choose from air drying or using a medium to absorb moisture.
- Choose between silica gel, sand, or oolitic sand as a drying medium.
- Dry flowers by hanging them upside down in a dark, cool room. Allow between one and three weeks for flowers and other plant materials to fully dry.
- Remove stems, leaves, and any material from plants before air-drying them.
- Keep flowers, leaves, and other materials away from humidity to ensure they dry.
- Pick flowers when they are closest to their full bloom, but have not yet reached that state for best success.
- Gather more flowers and herbs than you think you will need to ensure plenty of materials for your potpourri.
- Use borax and sand for a low-cost drying solution that is effective and efficient.
- Only place flowers and herbs that are in good condition in your drying mix or to hang dry.
- Never place wilted or discolored flowers in your drying mix.
- Select silica gel for a fast method that will dry your flowers.
- Reuse silica gel repeatedly by heating it to 250 degrees for 60 minutes to allow it to dry thoroughly.
- Always cut plants, herbs, and other materials with sharp scissors or a sharp knife.
- Dry flowers and herbs with intricate details and many parts in a microwave to speed up drying times.
- Choose vibrant, dark colored flowers as these retain their hues longer than pastel blooms after the drying process is complete.
- Arrange materials in a shallow box and stir them daily to ensure they thoroughly dry.
Choosing Ingredients
- Choose ingredients based upon the scent you want the potpourri to have. Use spices and essential oils to create an aromatic blend.
- Select various flowers, essential oils, and orris root when choosing ingredients for your potpourri.
- Add ingredients such as roots, leaves, herbs, flower petals, and berries to your potpourri.
- Use cedar shavings to create an earthy aroma in your potpourri mix.
- Look for plant materials that are blemish free and have no signs of pests or disease.
- Consider adding lavender and rose to your potpourri as these are the two most popular ingredients used.
- Baby's breath has no scent, but is a beautiful addition to any potpourri. Consider adding baby's breath to potpourri blends that feature roses.
- Break up cinnamon sticks to create a strong, spicy scent to your potpourri.
- Whole cloves and allspice create a rich aroma that is perfect for winter potpourri arrangements.
- Add between three and six types of plants and between three and four herbs to your potpourri mix for the strongest scent.
- Mix your potpourri blend daily and seal it for up to two weeks to let the flavors blend. After two weeks, your potpourri will be at its strongest and ready to use.
Potpourri Display and Decorating Ideas
- Use glass, granite, or stainless steel bowls when mixing, blending, storing, or displaying potpourri.
- Select brightly colored petals and display your potpourri in an open glass bowl to display its beauty.
- Create a sachet by choosing fabric or a handkerchief and stitching or tying it closed to display your potpourri.
- Place potpourri on mantles, counters and shelves for a decorative look.
- Choose silk, velvet, or velveteen fabrics and satin ribbons to create beautiful sachets to give as gifts.
- Look for potpourri containers that have a removable and tightly sealed lid. This will allow you to preserve the potpourri's fragrance when not in use.
- Consider using candy dishes to display your potpourri creations. Check out thrift and antique stores for vintage candy bowls with lids for a beautiful centerpiece.
- Look for bowls, glasses, sugar bowls, and boxes that can be reused to display potpourri. Stop by yard sales and see what you can find.
Written By Ava Rose.