Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
You can make pumpkin spice potpourri at home by combining dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and a few drops of pumpkin spice fragrance oil in a decorative bowl.
It’s one of those cozy projects that fills your whole house with the warm, spicy scent of fall without any complicated steps.
If you’ve been wondering how to make pumpkin spice potpourri that actually smells like the season and lasts longer than a day, you’re in the right place.
The good news is that making pumpkin spice potpourri takes just a few ingredients and about 20 minutes of hands-on time.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pumpkin spice potpourri, the ingredients that give it that signature scent, and tips for keeping your pumpkin spice potpourri smelling fresh for weeks.
Let’s get into it.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Potpourri Step by Step
Making pumpkin spice potpourri is simple once you know the basic formula, and here’s exactly how to do it:
1. Gather Your Dry Ingredients
The base of any good pumpkin spice potpourri starts with dried botanical ingredients.
You’ll need dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise, whole cloves, and a handful of dried apple slices if you have them.
Dried cranberries or bay leaves are nice additions too, and they add texture and color to your pumpkin spice potpourri.
If you’re using fresh orange slices, dry them in the oven at 200°F for about two to three hours until they’re completely dry.
Moisture is the enemy of pumpkin spice potpourri, so make sure everything is fully dried before you mix it together.
2. Add Essential Oils or Fragrance Oil
This is the step that really brings your pumpkin spice potpourri to life.
In a small bowl, combine about 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil, 5 drops of clove oil, and 5 drops of orange essential oil.
You can also use a ready-made pumpkin spice fragrance oil if you want that exact seasonal scent in one bottle.
Sprinkle the oil mixture over your dried ingredients and toss gently with a spoon until everything is lightly coated.
This is what gives homemade pumpkin spice potpourri its lasting aroma instead of just a faint hint of spice.
3. Let It Rest and Cure
Once your ingredients are coated, seal everything in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Let your pumpkin spice potpourri cure for at least 24 to 48 hours so the oils absorb into the dried fruit and spices.
Give the jar a gentle shake every few hours to distribute the scent evenly.
When you open the lid, your pumpkin spice potpourri should smell rich, warm, and unmistakably like fall.
4. Display and Refresh as Needed
Pour your finished pumpkin spice potpourri into a decorative bowl or sachet bags and place it wherever you want that cozy scent.
To refresh the fragrance, add a few more drops of oil every couple of weeks and stir.
That’s really all there is to how to make pumpkin spice potpourri that looks as good as it smells.
Why Make Pumpkin Spice Potpourri at Home
Making pumpkin spice potpourri at home gives you full control over the scent and ingredients.
Store-bought versions often rely on synthetic fragrances and can be pricey for a small bag.
When you make pumpkin spice potpourri yourself, you can adjust the spice level, skip ingredients you don’t like, and match it to your home’s fall decor.
It also makes a lovely homemade gift in a mason jar with a ribbon tied around the lid.
Plus, homemade pumpkin spice potpourri tends to last longer because you can keep refreshing the oils.
Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Spice Potpourri
A few small tweaks make a big difference when making pumpkin spice potpourri:
1. Dry Everything Thoroughly
Any lingering moisture will cause mold, so dry your fruit and spices completely before mixing.
This is the single most important tip for pumpkin spice potpourri that lasts.
2. Store It in an Airtight Container
Keep your pumpkin spice potpourri in a sealed jar when it’s not on display.
Air exposure fades the scent quickly, so sealing it between uses keeps the aroma strong.
3. Use Whole Spices, Not Ground
Whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise release scent slowly and hold up better than powdered spices.
Ground spices can turn your pumpkin spice potpourri dusty and clumpy over time.
4. Test Your Oil Blend First
Mix your oils on a cotton ball and smell it before applying to the whole batch.
This way you can tweak the balance of cinnamon, clove, and orange before committing to your pumpkin spice potpourri.
So, How Do You Make Pumpkin Spice Potpourri?
You make pumpkin spice potpourri by combining dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves, coating them with pumpkin spice or essential oils, and letting the mixture cure in a sealed jar for a day or two.
It’s an easy, affordable project that fills your home with that warm fall scent you love.
Use the tips above, tweak the blend to suit your taste, and you’ll have pumpkin spice potpourri you’ll want to make every single autumn.