How to Make Potpourri with Rose Petals

Learn how to make potpourri with rose petals. This could easily be gifted to someone special or just kept for yourself.

There is nothing better than the smell of a fresh garden rose.   I don’t know why, but it seems like the roses I grow in my own backyard smell the best to me.  Maybe because I know all the care and dedication it takes to grow beautiful roses.

My Joseph’s Coat rose has been a labor of love for me. This rose is stunningly beautiful and smells like heaven. Perfect for making potpourri. This rose also has several different shades or roses (hence the name – Joseph’s Coat of many colors).

Some of the roses are bright pink, others are light peach, and some are even bright orange and red!  It’s really beautiful to see.  I always have people asking what rose that is.  It’s a shame when they start to droop and the petals start falling.  It seems so wasteful.

That’s why I love this recipe.  Now you can save those delicate, delicious smelling rose petals by adding them to some DIY potpourri.

What exactly is potpourri?

According to Google, the definition of potpourri is :

a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to perfume clothing or a room.

Oh, so that’s what it is. LOL. So there is really nothing to it!  The sky is the limit as far as add ins and scents.  So you can customize this to your liking. Have a friend who loves specific scents? Then you can absolutely make one that they will be sure to love!

I’ll tell you how I made mine.

materials needed:

• 1 lemon
• 1 small orange
• fresh rose petals
• essential oils of your choice.  I used lemon and bergamot.
• baking sheet and parchment paper
• jar or bowl to hold your potpourri
• *optional :  clear cellophane bag, ribbon, gift tags etc – if gifting to someone!

How to Make potpourri with rose petals

1.  Collect your ingredients.  I gathered up some rose petals, thinly sliced a lemon, and tore up pieces of orange peel.
2. Option :  You can use cookie cutters to make shapes out of the peels.  I made some star shapes!  It will shrink up as it dries so keep that in mind.
3. Lay everything out in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake at 200 degrees for 2 hours.
5. Everything should come out dry.  If your fruit slices still feel moist, then you can put them back in for a little longer.
6. After they are done baking, simple transfer them to a pretty bowl or mason jar and add in your scents.  Allow them to dry again for 24 hours.
7. Mix it up.  Smell.  Mmmmmm.  So good!
8. If you feel you need more scent or need a refresher, you can simply add more or spritz with an essential oil spray (just essential oils mixed with a little water).

I really can’t believe how easy this was to put together.  Now I’m brainstorming all the different scents and add ins I can use.  (HINT:  Look at popular stores for inspiration!)  

Here are some more ideas for fillers :

• apple peels and slices
• star anise
• cloves
• cinnamon sticks
• citrus peels and slices
• herbs like rosemary and bay leaves
• pine cones
• lavender buds
• All kinds of beautiful flowers!

I used lemon and bergamot because I just love the smell.  They both have that fresh, citrusy smell.  I don’t find bergamot to be too overpowering either.  Just a nice scent.

If you want to gift this, just place in a mason jar and tie a gift tag to it.  Or put it in a clear cellophane bag with a ribbon!  Then you can really let those ingredients shine.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! 

Have a great day!

xo Karen