How to Make a Simmer Pot to Fill Your Home with Seasonal Scents

There’s nothing like stepping into a home wafting with its very own signature fragrance. Candles are one way to get there, but not everyone prefers the chemicals employed to deliver those cozy and inviting scents. A simmer pot, also referred to as stovetop potpourri, can be a great alternative for filling your home with a seasonal scent in a more natural way.

You might have all the ingredients you need for a simmer pot already in your pantry, fridge, or garden. To save on food waste, consider holding off on your simmer pot until you have apple peels, citrus rinds, or other fresh (and pleasantly fragranced) scraps on hand. Fruit peels provide the same effect as whole slices when simmered along with other seasonal ingredients—plus you’ll feel good about ensuring no part of your produce goes to waste.

While we’ve recommended a variety of simmer pot recipes, consider this a job where experimentation is encouraged. Mix and match your favorite scents and ingredients to create your own unique DIY simmer pot recipe.

How to Make a Classic Simmer Pot

This signature simmer pot is the ultimate starter course in stovetop potpourri and can be used year-round. The recipe starts with citrus and rosemary and finishes with vanilla extract for a sweet finish. It can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences, with additions, substitutions, and/or recipe adjustments. The ingredients below are based on 8 cups of water, so adjust according to your pot capacity.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon or orange sliced
• 5 sprigs of rosemary
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp. whole peppercorns
  

Instructions

1. Start by filling a pot 3/4 of the way full with water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add the ingredients and turn the heat down to a simmer. Add more water as needed, ensuring the water level doesn’t dip below halfway full.
   

How to Make a Seasonal Simmer Pot

Start by filling a pot 3/4 full with water. Bring to a boil, then add the following ingredients based on your desired fragrance.

Cinnamon + Apple Fall Simmer Pot

This simmer pot will fill your home with the sweet scent of freshly baked apple pie. It employs a handful of fall-favorite ingredients that you likely already have stocked in your pantry to deliver a warm and cozy fragrance.

Ingredients: 2 sliced apples, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp. whole cloves, 3 star anise, 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cranberry + Orange Winter Simmer Pot

A spicy and sweet combination that pairs well with a blazing fire and snowy windowsills, this holiday potpourri is made for cozy days in. It also makes a great gift. Swap in dried orange slices instead of fresh, add ingredients to a cellophane bag and tie it up with a pretty ribbon. Include a tag that lists the ingredients and gives instructions on how to simmer.

Ingredients: 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1 sliced orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 sprigs rosemary, 2 tsp. cloves

Lavender + Citrus Spring Simmer Pot

For spring cleaning days, nothing quite compares to the fresh scent of lavender and lemon. The soothing fragrance gets a note of earthiness thanks to rosemary. If you want to sweeten up this simmer pot recipe, add vanilla, though it can be omitted if you prefer. 

Ingredients: 3 sprigs dried lavender, 2 sprigs rosemary, 1 sliced lemon, 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mint + Citrus  Summer Simmer Pot

Spicy and fresh with a therapeutic quality, this simmer pot recipe will fill your home with the clean fragrance of citrus, ginger, and mint. While it’s ideal during the summertime thanks to its light quality, this mixture is a great year-round option for battling congestion from the common cold and during allergy seasons.

Ingredients: 6 sprigs fresh mint, 1 sliced lime, 1 sliced lemon, 1 Tbsp. sliced ginger (about 3-5-inch knob)

How to Make a Simmer Pot in the Slow Cooker

Fill your slow cooker with water about 3/4 full. Add your desired ingredients, put on the lid, and turn the slow cooker on HIGH. Once the pot starts to steam, turn the machine to LOW and remove the lid. Check on your slow cooker every 30-45 minutes to ensure the water level does not dip below halfway full. Add more water as needed.