by Adilene Palafox
Supplies
- A selection of dried flowers & herbs of your choice
- Suggested flowers: lavender, rose buds / petals, jasmine, violets, daisies, hydrangeas, strawflowers, zinnias, chamomile, calendula
- Suggested herbs & other supplies: mint, sage, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, small pinecones, basil leaves, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices or peels, dried lemon slices or peels
- Essential oils of your choice
- Suggested oils: lavender, rose, citrus, sandalwood, cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons of Orris root powder
- Airtight container or satchel bag
- Bowl or Paper bag
- Wooden or plastic utensils
Steps
- Gather your dried flowers and herbs and make sure to remove stems if any.
- Place flower buds, leaves, petals and herbs into a bowl or a paper bag.
- Grab your essential oils. Depending on the size of your potpourri you can add 3 to 10 drops of your selected essential oils. If your gathering is big enough to fit into a large bowl then add 10 drops of essential oils. However, if your gathering is small to medium size then add 3 – 5 drops of essential oils. You can add more than 1 essential oil based on your preferences.
- Stir your herbs and flowers with a utensil.
- Add 2 tablespoons of orris root into bowl or paper bag and mix with utensils and shake lightly in paper bag.
- Place into a bowl for display and keep out of reach for children and pets.
- For a lasting potpourri or as a gift place into an airtight container and open when ready to use.
If you have flowers and herbs that are fresh below are some steps to dry them using the air-dry method and the oven drying method
Steps
- For air drying, create small bundles of each flower and herb with stem still attached and tie together. Hang the bundles of flowers and herbs upside down in an indoor cool and dry area. Make sure the location you place the flowers and herbs is away from direct sunlight. Air-drying can take anywhere from 2 – 4 weeks.
- For drying flowers in oven, grab a baking sheet and a drying rack. Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper and place the drying rack over the parchment paper. Cut your flowers into small trims and spread over the drying rack. Place tray into oven and bake for 200° Fahrenheit (93° Celsius) for 2 hours.
- For drying herbs in oven grab a baking sheet and parchment paper. Place parchment paper over baking sheet. Lay your fresh but not wet herbs onto parchment paper and bake for 180° Fahrenheit (82° Celsius) or at lowest temperature for 30 minutes and then flip herbs onto the other side and continue to bake for another 30 minutes.
** If you have an electric stove, leave the oven door slightly open to allow air to circulate when baking the herbs and prevent them from burning. **** If you have a gas stove open the stove door every 5 minutes to let air circulate. Keep your windows at home open as well and turn on any fans you have. **
- Gather your dried flowers and herbs and make sure to remove stems if any.
- Place flower buds, leaves, petals and herbs into a bowl or a paper bag.
- Grab your essential oils. Depending on the size of your potpourri you can add 3 to 10 drops of your selected essential oils. If your gathering is big enough to fit into a large bowl, then add 10 drops of essential oils. However, if your gathering is small to medium size then add 3 – 5 drops of essential oils. You can add more than 1 essential oil based on your preferences.
- Stir your herbs and flowers with a utensil.
- Add 2 tablespoons of orris root into bowl or paper bag and mix with utensils and shake lightly in paper bag.
- Place into a bowl for display and keep out of reach for children and pets.
- For a lasting potpourri or as a gift place into an airtight container and open when ready to use.
