If you've ever thought that learning to dye using natural plants looks like fun, it really is, and it's easier to get started with than you might think!
The list of plants that can offer lovely hues is so much more extensive than most people expect, and you might be surprised to find that many of the plants in your own garden, yard, or kitchen, can actually be used for creating natural colors!
Here's a great list of commonly found plants that many don't realize can provide natural dyes as well. I'll be you've got some of these handy right now, just waiting for you to jump in and start experimenting!
1. Beets
While many people are familiar with beets as a delicious and nutritious vegetable, they might not realize that they can also be used to create natural dyes.
Beets can produce a range of pink to red hues, depending on the concentration of the dye and the mordant used.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are not only a delicious fruit; they sometimes do double duty as a natural dye.
Dyeing with blueberries can result in a range of lovely colors, primarily in the blue and purple spectrum.
Here's a helpful tutorial if you'd like to try dying with blueberries.
3. Chicory
Chicory is a plant known for its vibrant blue flowers. Chicory can produce a range of colors when used as a dye, but it is most known for producing various shades of blue.
The color intensity and hue can vary depending on factors such as the concentration of the dye bath, the type of fabric being dyed, and the length of time the fabric is immersed in the dye.
4. Curly Dock
Curly dock, scientifically known as Rumex crispus, is a plant that has been historically used for medicinal purposes and occasionally for dyeing.
Like other members of the dock family, curly dock contains compounds that can produce color, typically in the yellow to brown range.
Here's a tutorial that will get you started!
5. Dandelions
Dandelions, those yellow flowers found in lawns and fields, and typically referred to as weeds, can be used to create natural dyes.
They typically produce yellows and sometimes soft greens, depending on how they are prepared and what mordants (substances used to set dyes) are used.
6. Delphinium
Delphinium, with their tall spikes of colorful flowers, can be used to create beautiful natural dyes, typically in shades of blue, purple, and sometimes pink.
7. Elderberries
Elderberries can be used to create natural dyes that produce shades of blue, purple, and gray, depending on factors such as the concentration of the dye bath and the mordants used.
You'll want to use vibrant, ripe elderberries, which generally ripen in the early fall.
8. Goldenrod
Goldenrod, with its vibrant yellow flowers, is a fun choice for natural dyeing.
It can produce beautiful shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes green. Goldenrod only offers up its lovely colors when it's fresh, not dried, so plan to use it while the blossoms are bright yellow, or gather it and store frozen in water for later use.
9. Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks, with their large, colorful flowers, are such a lovely staple of old fashioned flower gardens.
When used for dye, they typically produce a range of soft pinks, purples, and sometimes yellows.
10. Horsetail
Horsetail (Equisetum) is an ancient plant species with high silica content, making it useful for a variety of purposes, including homeopathy and natural dyeing.
While it is not as common as other plants for dyeing, it can produce subtle yellow to tan colors.
Here's a helpful tutorial if you'd like to give it a go.
11. Maple
Maple leaves, bark, or even the seeds, can be used for natural dyeing.
They can produce a range of colors, including yellows, oranges, and browns, depending on the part of the maple tree used and how it is processed.
12. Marigolds
Marigolds, with their bright and vibrant flowers, are excellent for natural dyeing. They typically produce shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes green, depending on factors such as the concentration of the dye bath and the mordants used.
13. Onions
Onion skins are such a fun natural dye, because the color they offer is just so brilliant, ranging from light yellow, to vivid gold, to nearly orange.
While it's not a very colorfast dye, this is a fun one to use for items that won't get washed, like paper, or wooden beads.
14. Radishes
Radishes, particularly their skins, are useful for natural dyeing, typically producing shades of pink, red, or even purple, depending on factors such as the variety of radishes and the mordants used.
Radish tops can also be used. Depending on the mordants used, you will get a light to medium yellow to a medium green.
15. Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is another fun plant that can be sourced right from the garden or kitchen, for shades that include blues, purples, pinks, and even greens.
When it comes to dyeing, red cabbage most commonly gets its moment in the spotlight as a natural egg dye for Easter eggs.
16. Spinach
Popeye loved his spinach. Did you know Spinach is good for more than eating?
Spinach can be used for natural dyeing, producing shades of green. Don't be afraid to experiment with techniques and mordants, in your quest for the perfect shade of green.
17. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a lovely little perennial that's hardy to zone 5, and is more commonly known as a traditional medicinal herb.
It produces shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes green, when used for dyeing with the fresh flowers or stems.
18. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Sunflower typically produces shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes green, when using the petals.
For a gorgeous black color, trying growing Hopi Black Dye Sunflowers, and use those shiny black seeds!
19. Yarrow
Yarrow is an herb that is typically hardy through Zone 3. Yarrow typically produces shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes green. You can dye it with fresh flowers or use the whole plant for a greenish color. It blooms between June and September
As I was researching this post, the list of plants that can be grown for dying far exceeds what I have listed here. There are so many options to experiment and dye with. Most of the plants on this list also have a primary use as food, or medicinal herbs, so growing them is like a two-for-one win!
Plant-Dying Paper
Did you know you can dye more than just fabric, with all those fun natural dyes? Many of those plants actually offer the most vibrant colors, when used right on paper! (This tutorial will walk you through it.)
Plant dyed paper is so much fun to use for making homemade cards, and paper crafting. Once you get started, you'll want to make a whole rainbow of colors.
Handmade Plant-Dyed Beads Necklace
This Easy DIY Dyeing project is so much fun, and would be a great activity to do with the kids this summer. They'll LOVE getting a chance to wear and give jewelry they dyed themselves, using plants!
Laurie Harmon
Laurie is using her experiences and education to help others by authoring the blog seekingserenityandharmony.com
Laurie received her Liberal Arts & Sciences Bachelor’s
as well as minors in psychology and in early childrens services from University of Maine when she was 51.
You may have seen her interviewed on a few chronic illness blogs about her health conditions.
Laurie's mission is to advocate for children and animals while also breaking the stigma that mental health issues carry.
Her favorite activities are reading and making
children laugh. However, her greatest interests are her family.
Gluten-freee desserts and a good nights sleep Is a must for her. Not at the same time of course.
Laurie tried adulting by holding down jobs outside the home. It is time to finally venture into her dream of being a writer and putting her words out there for the world in hopes to help someone else.
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