Spring Simmer Pots: A Little DIY Fragrance for Your Home!

By October, spring is well and truly underway. The days are getting longer, the garden is waking up, and there's something about a bit of extra sunshine that makes you want to give the house a little seasonal refresh too.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to enjoy beautiful fragrance around your home — from lighting a favourite candle to popping a wax melt into the warmer. But sometimes, it's also fun to make something yourself!

A simmer pot is a wonderfully simple little bit of seasonal DIY, using fragrant ingredients you may already have in your kitchen or garden. No complicated recipe, no special equipment — just a saucepan, some water and a bit of imagination.

So, what is a simmer pot?

It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like!

A simmer pot is a saucepan of water gently heated with fragrant ingredients such as fruit, herbs and spices. As everything warms, the natural aromas are released into the surrounding space.

It's less about following a precise recipe and more about experimenting with what you have on hand.

Have some citrus peel left over from breakfast? A few sprigs of rosemary in the garden? An apple that's a little past its best? They can all become part of your next simmer pot.

Four spring-inspired combinations to try

These combinations are simply starting points. You don't need every ingredient listed, and there's no need to make a special shopping trip just to try one. Use what you've already got, adjust the quantities and see what you like.

🍋 Fresh & Bright

A fresh, zesty combination that's perfect for a sunny spring day.

Try:

• Lemon peel or slices
• Orange peel or slices
• Fresh rosemary
• Mint leaves

The citrus brings the brightness, while rosemary and mint add a fresh, herbal note.

🍎 Spring Kitchen

Warm and welcoming, with the sort of fragrance that makes the kitchen feel especially inviting.

Try:

• Apple slices or peel
• Orange peel
• A cinnamon stick
• A few slices of fresh ginger

It's also a great way to use fruit that's looking a little less than perfect.

🌿 Herb Garden

A greener, more herbal combination inspired by the garden itself.

Try:

• Fresh rosemary
• Lemon peel
• A few sprigs of thyme
• A bay leaf or two

This one is particularly easy if you've got herbs growing at home. Don't worry about exact quantities — a small amount of whatever herbs you've got is plenty.

🌸 Floral & Fresh

For something a little lighter and more delicate.

Try:

• Orange peel
• Lemon peel
• A small amount of dried lavender
• A few fresh rose petals, if you have them

Keep the floral ingredients fairly subtle and let the citrus do some of the heavy lifting.

There really isn't a wrong way to make one

That's part of the fun! You don't need exact measurements, and you don't need to follow a recipe to the letter. Start with a couple of ingredients you already have and experiment.

Try apple and cinnamon. Add some orange peel. Swap rosemary for thyme. Use up those lemon peels instead of throwing them away. You might discover a combination you absolutely love.

And if you don't? You've only used a few bits and pieces from the kitchen and garden, so there's always tomorrow's experiment!

How to make your simmer pot

• Add your chosen ingredients to a saucepan and cover generously with water.
• Bring the water to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat down and let the ingredients slowly release their natural fragrance.
• Keep the ingredients covered with water, topping up as needed.

A simmer pot doesn't need to replace your favourite home fragrance — it's simply another little way to enjoy the scents of the season alongside all the other ways you fragrance your home.

So have a rummage through the kitchen, see what you've got and have a play!

Happy spring, and happy simmering!

P.S. A quick safety note: Never leave a simmer pot unattended, and don't allow the saucepan to boil dry. Keep the pot on a stable cooking surface, keep handles turned safely away from the edge, and turn the heat off whenever you leave the room or the house.