An orange clove pomander is a simple scent craft made by studding a whole orange with cloves and allowing it to dry slowly. To make one, choose a firm orange, create a pattern in the peel, push whole cloves into the fruit, and let it dry in a warm, dry place with good airflow. Once cured, it can be displayed in a bowl, tucked into a seasonal arrangement, or used as a naturally fragrant decoration.
There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about the combination of citrus and spice. The bright aroma of orange paired with the warm, familiar scent of cloves makes this craft feel right at home during fall and the holiday season. Best of all, you do not need many supplies or special crafting skills to make one.
What Is a Pomander?
A pomander is a traditional scented decoration made by combining fragrant ingredients, often citrus fruit and spices. Orange and clove pomanders are especially popular because the fresh citrus aroma and warm spice scent complement each other naturally.
Historically, pomanders were made in different forms and used as fragrant objects. Today, they are better known as a simple seasonal craft. A finished diy pomander can add a warm, rustic touch to a table, entryway, kitchen, or holiday display.
You can make a single pomander as a small weekend project or create several diy pomander balls to arrange together in a decorative bowl.
What You'll Need
For a basic orange and clove pomander, you only need a few things:
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1 firm, fresh orange
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Whole cloves
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A toothpick or skewer for making starter holes
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A small knife or orange zester for optional decorative scoring
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Paper towels
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A plate, wire rack, or breathable tray for drying
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Ground cinnamon, optional
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Essential oil, optional, for refreshing the finished scent
Choose an orange with firm skin and no bruised, damaged, or soft areas. A sturdy orange is easier to work with and is less likely to become damaged while you are pushing the cloves into the peel.
For the aromatic element, whole cloves are the traditional choice. Clove Bud Essential Oil can also be used separately to refresh the scent of a finished pomander, rather than soaking the fresh fruit in oil.
How to Make an Orange and Clove Pomander
If you're wondering how to make an orange pomander, the process is straightforward. Prepare the orange, create your design, add the cloves, and dry the finished pomander slowly.
1. Choose and Prepare the Orange
Start with a firm orange that feels heavy for its size and has intact skin. Rinse and dry it thoroughly before working with it.
Patting the peel completely dry is important because excess surface moisture can make the drying process more difficult.
2. Plan Your Pattern
Decide where you want the cloves to go before you start inserting them.
You can cover much of the orange with cloves for a traditional look, or create simple patterns such as:
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Vertical lines
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Crosses
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Spirals
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Stars
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Bands around the middle
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Simple geometric shapes
You do not need to cover every part of the orange. Leaving some of the orange peel visible creates a nice contrast between the bright citrus color and the dark cloves.
3. Score the Peel if You Want a Decorative Design
For a more detailed clove orange pomander, use a small knife or zester to make shallow lines in the peel.
Keep the cuts shallow and avoid removing large sections of the skin. The goal is simply to create a visible pattern that guides where the cloves will go.
If the peel feels tough, use a toothpick to make small starter holes instead. This also makes inserting the cloves easier.
4. Stud the Orange With Cloves
Push whole cloves into the orange peel, leaving a small amount of the clove bud exposed.
Work around your chosen design until the pattern is complete. Try not to pack the cloves so tightly that large areas of peel become damaged.
If your fingers become uncomfortable while working with the cloves, use a spoon or small tool to help press them into particularly firm sections of peel.
This is the part of how to make pomanders that takes the most time, but there is no need to rush. A simple pattern can look just as attractive as a heavily studded orange.
5. Add an Optional Scent Boost
The cloves already give a pomander its characteristic warm, spicy scent, while the orange provides a bright citrus note.
If you want more citrus character, Sweet Orange Essential Oil can be used as a separate scenting element around the finished pomander. Avoid saturating the fresh orange with essential oil, as adding excess liquid can interfere with drying.
Once the pomander is completely dry, a very small amount of essential oil can be used to refresh its surrounding aroma. Apply it sparingly and avoid handling the treated area immediately afterward.
For a deeper seasonal scent, Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil can also be used in a separate scenting application. Clove and cinnamon have strong aromas, so a little goes a long way.
6. Dry and Cure the Pomander
Place the studded orange somewhere warm, dry, and well ventilated.
A breathable surface, such as a wire rack, allows air to circulate around more of the fruit. Turn the pomander periodically so different areas are exposed to airflow.
Drying time varies depending on the size of the orange, humidity, airflow, and how densely it has been studded with cloves.
The pomander is ready when the orange has become noticeably smaller, lighter, and firm rather than soft or moist.
How Long Do Pomanders Last?
So, how long do pomanders last?
A properly dried pomander can last for several months when kept somewhere dry with good airflow. Its appearance and scent will gradually change over time, and humid conditions can shorten its usable life.
The key is making sure the orange is thoroughly dried before storing or displaying it for an extended period. A pomander that still contains significant moisture is more likely to develop soft spots or mold.
If you want to keep a pomander from one season to the next, store it in a dry place rather than a sealed container that can trap residual moisture.
Display and Gift Ideas
Once your pomander has dried completely, there are plenty of simple ways to use it as seasonal decor.
Place one or two in a decorative bowl with pinecones, dried leaves, cinnamon sticks, or other natural seasonal elements. Several pomanders can also be arranged together as a centerpiece.
For a christmas pomander, add it to a holiday table setting or place it alongside greenery and other dried decorations. A few pomanders grouped together can create a particularly inviting display without requiring much additional decoration.
You can also tie a piece of natural ribbon or twine around the finished pomander and use it as part of a seasonal arrangement. Avoid hanging it somewhere damp or directly against a surface where air cannot circulate.
If you enjoy combining citrus and spice aromas in other seasonal crafts, homemade stovetop potpourri is another simple option. The same general combination of orange, spice, and warming seasonal notes works beautifully in that type of craft too.
Troubleshooting Mold and Soft Spots
Why did my pomander go moldy?
Most of the time mold occurs because the pomander had too much moisture in it or didn't have enough air circulation while drying.
A few common causes include:
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Starting with a bruised or damaged orange
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Drying the pomander in a humid location
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Placing it on a surface that does not allow airflow
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Using too much liquid during the scenting process
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Storing the pomander before it was fully dry
Check your pomander regularly while it is drying. If you notice significant mold growth, an unpleasant odor, or extensive softening, it is best to discard it rather than trying to preserve it.
What if my orange has soft spots?
A small amount of softening can happen during the early drying stage, but the fruit should gradually become firmer and smaller.
If a particular area remains wet or develops an unusual odor, improve airflow and move the pomander to a drier location. If the soft spot continues to spread, discard the pomander.
Can You Reuse or Refresh a Pomander?
A fully dried pomander can often be refreshed with a small amount of additional aroma.
Rather than adding a large amount of essential oil directly to the fruit, use a minimal amount around the cloves or on a separate absorbent material placed near the pomander. This allows you to refresh the surrounding scent without adding unnecessary moisture to the dried fruit.
Keep refreshed pomanders away from children and pets, and avoid applying essential oils to your skin after handling them.
If you want to experiment with other seasonal scent combinations, you can also use citrus and spice notes in wax melts or other home fragrance crafts.
A Simple Seasonal Craft With Lasting Appeal
An orange and clove pomander is easy to make with simple ingredients and no hard-to-find supplies. A fresh orange, some whole cloves, and a little patience and you will have a sweet-smelling ornament that's perfectly at home in fall and holiday decor.
What I love most is the journey. Selecting the pattern, scoring each clove into the peel, and watching the orange dry for hours or even months, transforms humble ingredients into a bejeweled display to adorn your table or wall.
Whether you make one diy pomander for a bit of a seasonal touch or a larger handful to decorate an event or celebration, there's a reason citrus and clove are such a timeless pair: warm, familiar, and home-made.
