How to Make Lavender Potpourri

fresh lavender plant on wooden table
  • 1-2 hours
  • Beginner
  • 10-20
What You'll Need
Lavender leaves and flowers
Container
Lavender essential oil
Orris root
Pillowcase
Large bowl or plastic bag
What You'll Need
Lavender leaves and flowers
Container
Lavender essential oil
Orris root
Pillowcase
Large bowl or plastic bag

Not only is lavender potpourri easy to make, but also it has numerous uses for around the home. All you need to make the aromatic mixture are some dried flowers, essential oils, and other ingredients you likely already have around your home. Use the steps below to mix your own lavender potpourri to use in your own home or gift to someone else.

Step 1 – Collecting and Drying Lavender

Begin by collecting lavender leaves and flowers to dry. If you don’t have any in your own garden, you can purchase some from a garden store. Cut the stems, so that there is about 8 inches of stem left below the leaves. Then, bundle the stems together with a rubber band. Store them upside down in a cool, dark place for three weeks.

Step 2 – Crushing Flowers

Although you can make potpourri from a combination of several different kinds of flowers and herbs, such as lavender, roses, carnations, marigolds, delphiniums, and more, this guide will show you how to make a strictly lavender potpourri.

Strip off the flowers from the dried lavender and leaves, and put them in a small pillowcase. Roll up the pillowcase, and move it around gently on a flat surface to loosen the buds.

Step 3 – Adding Orris Root and Essential Oils

Pour the lightly crushed flowers into a large bowl or plastic bag. Add 1/4 cup of orris root per 4 cups of lavender, or 1-2 tablespoons per 1 cup of the potpourri mix. Orris root, which has little scent of its own, will help preserve the flower and herb fragrance.

Step 4 – Adding Essential Oils

Next, add a few drops of lavender essential oil in the mixture. Evenly distribute the oil over the flowers. Adding these oils to the mixture will intensify the lavender potpourri’s scent.

To allow the scent to completely permeate the lavender potpourri, store the potpourri mixture in a closed container for several weeks.

Step 5 – Arrange in a Container

Now that the lavender potpourri is mixed and scented, you can display it in a container. Choose a container with an open top, so that the smell can waft through the room. To add visual interest and fill out the container, you can also add pine cones, berries, twigs, or other leaves.

Step 6 – Add Lavender Oil Periodically

Over time, the scent of the lavender potpourri will diminish. Give the mixture a boost with a few drops of lavender oil about every 4-6 months. This added oil will rejuvenate the potpourri and make the scent last longer. For an equally sweet scent, try making your own rose potpourri.