If you’re looking for a simple way to make your home smell fresh and inviting, this spring summer simmering potpourri is the perfect solution.
Made with natural ingredients like lemon slices, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, this easy stovetop recipe fills your home with a light, clean scent that’s perfect for warmer months.
If you love using simmer pots throughout the year, be sure to check out my Simmering Potpourri for Christmas for a cozy, seasonal version perfect for the holidays.
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Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Get Your Free Spring Cleaning Checklists
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage Tips
- More Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Fresh and Clean
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 5 minutes | Simmer: 1–3 hours | Difficulty: Easy
Main Ingredients: lemons, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, water.
Best For: freshening your home naturally, spring and summer gatherings.
Make Ahead: slice lemons and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days and reuse.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Orange slices: swap lemons for oranges for a slightly sweeter, warmer citrus scent.
Fresh mint: use mint instead of rosemary for a cool, clean summer scent.
Lavender: add a small sprig for a light floral touch.
Ginger slices: include fresh ginger for a warm, slightly spicy scent.
Cloves: add a few whole cloves for a deeper, richer fragrance.
Mix and match ingredients to create your own custom scent depending on the season or your personal preference!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Cut the lemon into thin slices.
Step 2: Add the lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary sprigs to a small pot.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and fill the pot with water to your liking. Heat on low to enjoy the smell!
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO keep an eye on the water level and add more as needed to prevent the pot from drying out while simmering.
❌ DO NOT let the pot simmer unattended for too long or boil dry, as this can affect the scent and damage your pot.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Store the leftover mixture in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
Reuse: You can reuse the same ingredients 2–3 times. Just add more water each time and simmer again until the scent fades.
More Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Fresh and Clean
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📖 Recipe Card
Spring Summer Simmering Potpourri
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Method
- Cut up your lemon in small slices.
- Add the lemons, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks to your pot.
- Add in the vanilla, then fill in the pot with water to your liking.
- Turn on low on the stove and enjoy the fresh smell!
Notes
Tips
- Use fresh lemons and herbs for the best, clean scent.
- Slice the citrus evenly so it releases fragrance as it simmers.
- Keep the heat low and check the water level occasionally, adding more as needed so the pot does not simmer dry.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store the mixture in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
- Reuse the ingredients 2–3 times by adding fresh water and simmering again.
- Prep ahead by slicing the lemons and storing them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
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