Potpourri: What happened to the ’90s home living trend?

Potpourri, meaning “rotten pot” in French, has a long history.

The fragrant product – a mix of dried flower petals and spices – was at the height of its use during the late ’80s and early ’90s, and was a fashionable way to keep clothes in drawers smelling fresh and lovely.

Potpourri would also often be placed in decorative bowls and placed in key locations around the home.

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Originally, potpourri was used by ancient civilisations to mask unpleasant odours.

With modern bathing techniques taking some time to form, particularly in lower-income families, it was a quick and easy way to take the edge off sources of smell.

Flowers, leaves and foliage were plentiful at the time and the techniques uses to dry and scent them developed and refined over time.

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Herbs were an easy way to ensure potpourri took on the best smells.

Their decorative aspect came later, with potpourri evolving into a must-have item in homes.

The first traces of potpourri came from 17th-century France, used by aristocracy and symbolised luxury and refinement.

Originally, it was used in castles and estates to scent homes.

In Europe, during the 18th and 19th centuries, potpourri was used by those parts of the population struggling with the aforementioned poor hygiene.

Its commercial peak came soon after, when potpourri transcended wealth and hygiene standards and became a fun pastime for those who enjoyed making it, and an easy and decorative way to enhance parts of your home.

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The traditional method to create potpourri was to allow flowers and leaves to dry over the summer months before mixing them with herbs and oils to take on lovely smells.

Over the winter months, when windows and doors were kept closed, that potpourri provided a lovely fragrance.

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It was during the Middle Ages in Europe that potpourri began being placed in cloth bags and put inside closets and drawers, as well as bedding.

As Western civilisations increasingly focused on homemaking, potpourri made a return.

It first emerged the ’70s and across the ’80s, peaking in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

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Then, it began to fall out of favour, making way for more modern options such as incense, candles, essential oils, diffusers and the like.

Lately, potpourri has been used in more modern forms, placed in wooden bowls and adorning coffee tables and book shelves.

It is considered a lovely, natural and sustainable aesthetic, devoid of pesky chemicals.

Techniques have also changed to include steam distillation processes and pure essential oils, created by companies and then sold at local home decoration stores.

While we may not see the return of potpourri-making kits, we will see such displays in homes more often, alongside flower vases filled with pebbles and carefully arranged books.

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