Want to make your house smell like you’ve been baking all day, but don’t actually want to bake all day? This fall simmer pot recipe is for you! Using fruit and spices, you can create a simmering potpourri with the warm, cozy scents of fall and Christmas. Your house will smell amazing with hardly any effort.

If you happen to find this recipe during the spring or summer months, check out our summer simmer pot recipe here.

I simply love the scents that go along with fall and the holiday season: pine, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, hot apple cider; they’re warm, cozy and inviting. Simmering potpourri is simply the addition of various fruits and spices to a pot of simmering water. As the simmer pot steams on the stovetop, the aroma from the mixture fills the air. Today I’m sharing a fall simmer pot recipe that will make your home smell like you’ve been baking all day, but it only takes a minute to throw together.

What You Need for A Fall Simmer Pot

Fall simmer pot ingredients: orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and vanilla

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Ingredients for Fall Simmering Potpourri

The following amounts are simply suggestions, you can put in as much or as little of the ingredients as you wish.

3 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Tbsp. Whole Cloves
1 Naval Orange or 2 Cutie Oranges (you can use the whole orange and cut it into slices, or just use the peels)
1/2 Cup Cranberries
1 Vanilla Bean (or 1-2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract)

Supplies Need for A Fall Stovetop Simmer Pot

Stock Pot

Other Fall Simmer Pot Ideas

While I am using cinnamon, cloves, oranges, cranberries, and vanilla to make this simmering potpourri recipe, you can certainly experiment with other ingredients as well.

Fruit for Simmering Potpourri

Lemon | Apple | Apple Cider

Herbs for Fall Simmer Pot

Rosemary | Bay Leaves | Thyme

Spices for a Christmas Simmer Pot

Star Anise | Nutmeg | Allspice | Ginger– Fresh slices or grated

So many possibilities!

How to Make A Fall / Christmas Simmer Pot

Choose your combination of ingredients and place them into a stock pot. If you are using pure vanilla extract, wait until you have reduced the pot to a simmer before adding.

Ingredients for Christmas Simmer Pot in Stock Pot

With the ingredients add, fill the pot about 2/3 full with water.

Place the pot on the stove top and heat (on high) until the mixture comes to a boil, then lower the heat to keep the pot at a slow simmer. Once the mixture is simmering, you can add the pure vanilla extract (if using).

Allow the pot to continue simmering as long as you’d like.

IMPORTANT: Always keep an eye on your simmer pot! As the water burns off, you will need to add more to the pot. If do not continue adding water, your potpourri will burn to the bottom of the pan… and your house is not going to smell so cozy anymore. Also, never leave your house with the potpourri simmering!

Want more ideas for creating cozy scents for your home? Check out these ideas!

Homemade Room Spray | DIY Wax Melts | Fall Diffuser Blends

Common Questions About Homemade Simmering Potpourri

How long Can I Simmer Potpourri on the Stovetop?

This will depend on the size of the pot you are using. The larger the pot, the longer it will last. As mentioned above, you need to watch your simmering potpourri very carefully; as the water level gets low, make sure to add more water to the pot to avoid it burning to the bottom. As long as you continue to add water, you can keep the simmer pot going. As an extra reminder, never leave your house with the simmer pot simmering on the stovetop!

Can I Reuse My Simmering Potpourri Ingredients?

You can continue using the same potpourri several times. Make sure to store the ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you use it again. (Remember to add more water each time you decide to simmer). If you notice the smell is off, or if the ingredients are molding, it’s time to toss them and start fresh.

Can I Simmer Dry Potpourri?

While I would never simmer potpourri found at your local retailer (as there are added perfumes and I’m not sure they would do well with simmering), there are simmering potpourris you can buy online if you’d prefer. Here are a few I found on Etsy: