This Crock Pot Fall Potpourri is one of my favorite simple ways to make the house smell like autumn. Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and fresh rosemary simmer slowly in water, filling the room with a warm, fresh fall scent without needing a candle or spray.
It’s basically a fall simmer pot made in the slow cooker — easy to put together, inexpensive, and especially nice when you’re home for the day, having people over, or getting the house ready for a weekend gathering.
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This is by far my favorite potpourri scent!! I am so pleased the way it pulls the scent through out the house! First time using a crock pot! It works fantastic! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Junebug4u2
This is How I Make The House Smell Like Fall
When fall rolls around, I’m ready to change a few things around the house — a throw on the sofa, something seasonal on the table, and something good simmering in the kitchen.
This little Crock Pot simmer pot has been one of my easiest tricks for years. I use ingredients I can grab at the grocery store, turn on the slow cooker, leave the lid off, and let the scent work its way through the house.
I especially love doing this before friends come over. It’s simple, it smells wonderful, and it makes the whole house feel welcoming before anybody even walks through the door.
Enjoy!
Why A Crock Pot Simmer Pot Works So Well
- It uses simple ingredients. Citrus, herbs, spices, and water are all you need.
- The slow cooker keeps the scent going. You don’t have to keep a pot simmering on the stove, which makes this especially handy on busy days at home.
- You can change the scent with the season. Start with orange, cinnamon, cloves, and rosemary, then add apples, cranberries, vanilla, star anise, or whatever smells like fall to you.
Ready to find the perfect slow cooker for your kitchen? You’ll love my comprehensive Crock Pot buying guide to help you choose.
What You’ll Need For A Fall Simmer Pot
- Small Crock Pot or slow cooker – a small model is perfect for a simmer pot, but any size works.
- Fresh orange slices – give the mixture a bright citrus scent that keeps the spices from feeling too heavy.
- Cinnamon sticks – bring that unmistakable warm fall fragrance.
- Whole cloves – a little goes a long way and adds a deeper spice note.
- Fresh rosemary – keeps the blend fresh and woodsy instead of overly sweet.
- Water – enough to keep everything covered while it simmers.
Fall Simmer Pot Variations
Once you know the basic method, you can make this smell completely different with whatever you have on hand. These are some of my favorite ways to change it up:
- Bright citrus: add lemon, grapefruit, extra orange peel, or a mix of citrus slices.
- Holiday version: add fresh cranberries, star anise, and a small splash of vanilla for a scent that moves right into Christmas.
- Extra spice: try fresh ginger, a few allspice berries, nutmeg, or a piece of vanilla bean.
How To Make A Fall Simmer Pot In The Crock Pot
- Add the ingredients. Slice the oranges and place them in the slow cooker with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and rosemary.
- Add water. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, filling the Crock Pot no more than about three-quarters full.
- Heat uncovered. Cook on HIGH with the lid off so the fragrance can circulate through the room.
- Keep an eye on the water. Check it every hour or so and add more hot water as needed. Don’t let the slow cooker run dry.
- Reuse while it still smells fresh. Let the mixture cool, refrigerate it, and reheat it again over the next few days. Replace the fruit and spices when the scent fades or the ingredients no longer look fresh.
Turn It Into An Easy Fall Hostess Gift
This makes such an easy little fall gift. Package the dry ingredients in a jar or clear bag, add a fresh orange separately, and tie on a tag with the Crock Pot instructions. It’s especially nice for a hostess gift, neighbor treat, or a simple “thinking of you” surprise.
Can I Make This Fall Simmer Pot On The Stove?
Yes, you can. Making potpourri on the stove top is a fantastic alternative if you don’t have a slow cooker. This method is often called a simmer pot.
To make, add all the ingredients to a medium size pot and place on the stove top over low heat. You want the mixture to simmer gently, releasing the lovely aroma. Be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent it from boiling over.
You can let the stovetop potpourri simmer for as long as you like. Remember to add more water if it starts to evaporate.
Fall Recipes To Make
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 oranges – sliced
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2 sprigs rosemary
Instructions
- Fill a small crockpot ¾ full of water. Add oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and rosemary. Set on high for 3 to 4 hours uncovered for potpourri to become heated and aroma develop.
Nutrition
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would love to package this up for gift. could you elaborate a little more on how to do that. would be great to have pictures. do we toss out the liquid and just me dry potpourri mix?
Absolutely — packaging homemade stovetop potpourri as a gift is such a thoughtful and festive idea!
Yes, you can absolutely package just the dry ingredients and include simple instructions for the recipient. No need to include any liquid from the simmered version.
~Donya
This is by far my favorite potpourri scent!! I am so pleased the way it pulls the scent through out the house! First time using a crock pot! It works fantastic! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
so lovely and nice to use natural ingredients. Do you throw the batch out after 4 days or just the fruit?
Hey there Ann!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, that’s a great question! I normally make a new batch after about 4 days, but I don’t see why you couldn’t just toss the fruit out and use the same liquid with fresh fruit. I hope this helps, let me know how it turns out! Have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
This is a lovely scent. Have some in my crockpot now!
Hey Trish!
Wow, you’ve made my day. It is a lovely scent and makes me happy.
Have a wonderful Fall.
~Donya