How to Make Dry Potpourri With Rose and Lavender
- 1). Purchase dried lavender and rose flowers or gather fresh flowers. Lay several sheets of newspaper on a table, preferably in a warmer area like near a window or in a room that is not air conditioned if you are working on this project during warmer months.
- 2). Remove the petals from your rose blossoms. Place the petals side by side on the newspaper and lay your sprigs of lavender in the same fashion. Leave flowers to dry for approximately three days, or until they no longer feel pliable.
- 3). Purchase an essential oil with the scent you wish to give your potpourri. Look for essential oils in stores that carry herbs, like natural food stores. Choose more than one scent if you so desire.
- 4). Purchase orris root, an iris-based fixative, that smells like violets and seals in the scent of your essential oil on your dried rose and lavender. Search for orris root in herbal stores as well.
- 5). Gather any other dried organic material you may want to add to your potpourri for a more interesting visual effect, like pine needles, pinecones or other types of flowers.
- 6). Place your dried organic plant parts into a bowl or a bag. Add 2 tbsp. of orris root powder and 1 tsp. of essential oil to every 3 cups of dried organic material to begin, though you can add more or less essential oil to your preference.
- 7). Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon to avoid tearing your flowers and other ingredients or gently shake the ingredients in a closed plastic bag for an even gentler method.
- 8). Pour your potpourri mix into airtight glass jars for best storage. Choose more decorative jars if you wish to use them as home decor or gifts.
- 9). Store your jars in a cool place and shake them gently daily. Wait approximately one month before opening and using your potpourri to give the oils time to bond with your rose and lavender flowers.
- 10
Open the jar as desired to release the potpourri's aroma after the month is up. Add essential oil and reclose the jar as needed to increase the intensity of the scent.
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