How to Make Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones for Fall

Nothing makes a home feel quite as cozy as the warm scent of cinnamon during fall. While candles and store-bought air fresheners can create an autumn atmosphere, cinnamon scented pine cones offer a simple, natural alternative that also doubles as seasonal décor.

If you have pine trees nearby, you may already have most of what you need. Gather a few pine cones from your yard, clean them thoroughly, add cinnamon fragrance, and use them throughout your home.

Here’s how to make cinnamon scented pine cones for fall, along with a few easy ideas for displaying them.

Why Make Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones?

Cinnamon scented pine cones combine natural fall décor with a classic seasonal fragrance. They look beautiful in bowls, baskets, centerpieces, wreaths, and other autumn arrangements.

Making your own also lets you control how strong the fragrance is. You can use cinnamon essential oil for a powerful, long-lasting aroma or ground cinnamon for a more rustic approach.

Another benefit is that pine cones can often be collected for free. Once properly cleaned and dried, the same pine cones can potentially be refreshed with additional fragrance and reused for several seasons.

Supplies You'll Need

Gather the following supplies before getting started:

• Dry pine cones
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Large zip-top bag or airtight container
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Optional ground cinnamon
• Optional cinnamon sticks
• Optional cloves, orange essential oil, or other fall fragrances

If you collect pine cones outdoors, clean them before bringing them into your home. Pine cones can contain dirt, insects, sap, and other debris.

Step 1: Collect Your Pine Cones

Look for mature pine cones that have fallen naturally from trees. Choose cones that are relatively clean and intact.

Avoid pine cones that are badly decomposed, moldy, extremely wet, or damaged.

Fall is an excellent time to collect pine cones because they are commonly available beneath mature pine trees. Gather more than you think you'll need so you can select the best-looking ones after cleaning.

Step 2: Clean the Pine Cones

Shake each pine cone outdoors to remove loose dirt, needles, and debris. A small brush can help remove material trapped between the scales.

If the cones are particularly dirty, they can be gently washed. Keep in mind that getting pine cones wet can cause their scales to close temporarily. This is normal. They generally reopen as they dry.

Allow excess water to drain before moving on to the drying process.

Step 3: Dry the Pine Cones

One of the easiest ways to thoroughly dry collected pine cones is in the oven.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and arrange the pine cones in a single layer. Heat them at a low temperature, around 200°F, checking them regularly.

Drying time can vary considerably depending on the size and moisture content of the cones. Never leave them unattended in the oven because pine cones, sap, and dried plant material are combustible.

Remove the cones once they are completely dry and allow them to cool.

If you prefer not to use the oven, spread the pine cones in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location and allow them to air-dry thoroughly. This method takes longer but works well.

Step 4: Add Cinnamon Essential Oil

Once the pine cones are completely cool and dry, place them inside a large zip-top bag or airtight container.

Add several drops of cinnamon essential oil throughout the pine cones rather than concentrating all the oil in one spot.

Seal the container and gently shake or rotate it to help distribute the fragrance.

Cinnamon essential oil can be quite strong, so starting with a small amount is better. You can always add more later.

Step 5: Let the Pine Cones Absorb the Scent

For the best results, leave the sealed pine cones alone for at least 24 to 48 hours.

For a stronger fragrance, you can leave them sealed for several days.

During this time, the cinnamon aroma will spread throughout the container and become absorbed by the pine cones.

Open the container outdoors or in a well-ventilated area if you've used a particularly concentrated amount of essential oil.

Optional Method: Use Ground Cinnamon

Don't have cinnamon essential oil? Ground cinnamon can add both fragrance and a rustic appearance.

Lightly mist the pine cones with water or apply a small amount of craft adhesive where appropriate, then sprinkle ground cinnamon over them. Shake away the excess and allow the pine cones to dry completely.

Ground cinnamon generally won't produce as strong or long-lasting an aroma as essential oil, but it can work nicely for decorative projects.

Create Your Own Fall Scent Blend

Cinnamon doesn't have to be the only fragrance. Combining seasonal scents can create a more complex homemade fall aroma.

Try pairing cinnamon with:

• Sweet orange
• Clove
• Cedarwood
• Nutmeg-inspired fragrance
• Vanilla fragrance
• Apple fragrance

Cinnamon and sweet orange are especially well suited to autumn décor.

When using essential oils, follow the manufacturer's directions and keep concentrated oils away from children and pets.

How to Display Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones

Once your pine cones are ready, they can become part of almost any fall decorating theme.

Fill a wooden bowl with scented pine cones and add cinnamon sticks around them for an easy centerpiece. You can also mix in dried leaves, acorns, small pumpkins, or dried orange slices.

Other ideas include placing them in a decorative basket near an entryway, incorporating them into a fall wreath, adding them to a mantel arrangement, or displaying several in a large glass container.

Avoid placing scented pine cones directly against candles, fireplaces, heaters, or other sources of heat or open flame.

How Long Will the Cinnamon Scent Last?

The strength and longevity of the fragrance depend on the amount and type of fragrance used, airflow, room temperature, and how the pine cones are stored.

When the cinnamon aroma begins fading, you don't necessarily need to make a new batch.

Simply place the pine cones back inside their airtight bag or container, add a few more drops of cinnamon essential oil, seal the container, and allow the scent to refresh for a day or two.

Store Them for Next Fall

At the end of the season, make sure your pine cones are completely dry before storing them.

Place them in a clean container or bag and keep them somewhere cool and dry. Avoid damp basements or other humid areas where natural materials could develop mold.

Next fall, inspect the cones and discard any showing signs of deterioration before refreshing the remaining ones with cinnamon fragrance.

A Simple Way to Bring Fall Indoors

Making cinnamon scented pine cones is an inexpensive way to turn something found outdoors into beautiful seasonal décor.

With just pine cones, cinnamon essential oil, and a little preparation, you can create a warm fall fragrance for your home while making centerpieces, baskets, wreaths, and other autumn decorations feel even more seasonal.

Best of all, once the scent starts to fade, your pine cones can be refreshed and enjoyed again throughout the fall season.