There’s nothing that makes a house feel more like home in the fall than the comforting scent of a simmer pot. Instead of burning candles full of synthetic fragrances, a simmer pot lets you fill your space with natural aromas from fruit, herbs, and spices. Plus, they’re simple, affordable, and can be made ahead if you dehydrate the ingredients.

Here are my favorite 5 simmer pot blends for fall—with recipes you can use fresh or dehydrate for later.

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🍊 1. Citrus & Clove Brightener

This one is perfect for those crisp mornings when you want your home to smell clean and energizing.

Recipe:

• 2 oranges, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks

To simmer: Place everything in a pot with 4–6 cups of water. Keep on low and add more water as needed.

Dehydrating tips:

• Slice oranges and lemons thin.
• Dehydrate at 135°F until completely dry (about 8–10 hours).
• Store with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks in a glass jar or paper bag.

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🍎 2. Apple Pie Comfort

If you love apple pie but don’t want to bake, this simmer pot is the next best thing.

Recipe:

• 1 apple, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or ½ teaspoon fresh grated)
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice

To simmer: Add ingredients to 4–6 cups of water. Warm on low until your whole home smells like dessert.

Dehydrating tips:

• Slice apples ¼-inch thick.
• Dip in lemon water to prevent browning.
• Dry at 135°F for 8–10 hours until crisp.

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🍂 3. Woodland Walk

This one captures the earthy, woodsy vibe of fall hikes.

Recipe:

• 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2–3 bay leaves
• 1 lemon slice
• ½ teaspoon black peppercorns

To simmer: Add to a pot of 4–6 cups water. This is a great choice when you want a refreshing, grounding scent.

Dehydrating tips:

• Dry rosemary and bay leaves whole at 95–105°F until crumbly.
• Lemon slices can be dried at 135°F.
• Store herbs separately from citrus to keep scents fresh.

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🥧 4. Pumpkin Spice Dream

No fall list would be complete without pumpkin spice.

Recipe:

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

To simmer: Mix everything with water and let it bubble gently. Your kitchen will smell like a pumpkin patch bakery.

Dehydrating tips:

• You can’t really dehydrate extracts, but you can prep a “pumpkin spice mix” in a jar (ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon).
• Add vanilla when you actually simmer.

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🌲 5. Evergreen Escape

This is like bringing the forest indoors—perfect for late fall or around Thanksgiving.

Recipe:

• A handful of pine or cedar clippings (make sure they’re safe varieties)
• 2–3 dried orange slices
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• A splash of vanilla

To simmer: Combine in 4–6 cups water and let it fill the air with cozy holiday vibes.

Dehydrating tips:

• Dry orange slices at 135°F until brittle.
• Cinnamon and vanilla should be stored separately.
• Pine doesn’t need dehydrating—just gather fresh as needed.

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How to Store Your Dehydrated Simmer Pot Blends

• Place dried ingredients in glass jars, paper bags, or vacuum-sealed pouches.
• Keep them in a cool, dark spot.
• When you’re ready, grab a handful, toss in a pot, add water, and let the magic happen.

💡 Tip: These make amazing gifts! Package dehydrated blends in jars with handwritten labels.