IRISH WOAD SEEDS (Isatis tinctoria)
Dye Colour: Blue | Country of Collection: Ireland

Woad is a unique and historic dye plant that has been used for centuries to create a stunning blue dye. Grown to organic standards in Co. Clare, Ireland, this biennial plant boasts 1m high stems with succulent leaves and produces foamy clusters of brilliant yellow flowers and is a beautiful addition to your garden, perfect for dyeing and eco-printing.

The leaves of Woad are harvested in the first year for dyeing, while the second year is dedicated to seed collection. If you’re looking for a way to grow your own colour, this is the plant for you.

Colour Fastness: Medium to good, depending on dye method.

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: February to March (in trays)
⏳ Germination Time: 7 – 21 days at 15-18°C (59-64°F)
🌿 Height: 1m (3ft)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil

Additional Details
Grown to organic standards in Ireland for conservation purposes
Germination rate: 85%
License number: IE010713
Over 100 seeds per packet

Harvesting:

• First Year: Harvest leaves from July to September for dyeing
• Second Year: Collect seeds, as the leaves no longer produce dye

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences, join courses and get support from fellow growers and dyers.

COREOPSIS SEEDS (Coreopsis tinctoria / Tickseed)
Dye Colour: Bronze Orange to Yellow | Country of Collection: Ireland

Coreopsis produces an abundance of showy bi-coloured yellow and red blooms that illuminate the garden from summer through autumn. Great for eco-printing and natural dyeing, this hardy plant yields beautiful shades of bronze orange to yellow. It thrives in sunny spots and makes a vibrant addition to any garden.

Colour Fastness: Medium to Good

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: Late winter/late spring or late summer/autumn
⏳ Germination Time: 7 – 14 days at 16–21°C (60–70°F)
🌿 Height: 45 – 65cm (18 – 26in)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Full sun with well-drained, light soil

Additional Details
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 87%
License number: IE010713
100 seeds per packet

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe. Harvest flowers for eco-printing or the whole plant for dyeing. Can be used fresh or dried.

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COTA TINCTORA (Anthemis tinctoria / Dyer’s Chamomile)
Dye Colour: Yellow and Green (with iron) | Country of Collection: Ireland

Cota Tinctora produces masses of vibrant, aromatic golden yellow daisies with striking yellow centres from June through September. Perfect for eco printing and natural dyeing, it yields beautiful yellow and green hues when processed with iron. These charming blooms work wonderfully as drifts in garden borders, too.

Colour Fastness: Good

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: March to April
⏳ Germination Time: 4 – 7 days at 21°C (70°F)
🌿 Height: Typically 60–90 cm
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Thrives in full sun with well-draining soil

Additional Details
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 88%
License number: IE010713
100 seeds per packet

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

ORGANIC WELD SEEDS ~ Grown by the Irish Organic Seedsavers Association

Growing dye plants gives you a feeling of connection to nature, that is unique and I am delighted that you are thinking of taking that step. There can never be enough growers on our Earth and I do believe that growing your own colour adds yet another dimension to gardening and the plant world as a whole. If you can keep it organic, do, the colours are richer and the flora and fauna will thank you for it, as do we. Enjoy!

 Weld (Reseda Luteola) has been used for centuries to obtain a fast yellow dye. An attractive architectural plant with 1.5m high stems; a tall biennial, with lance-shaped, deep green leaves often with strongly wavy edges. Slender spikes of tiny yellow flowers are produced in summer. 

Weld is a biannual plant, and the entire plant is used in its second year. However, recent studies have shown, that most of the dye is situated in the flowers and leaves. However, the stem still has some yellow dye in it too, so I would always use the entire plant. 

Sow: In Spring, February to March, in a tray; seed is very fine. Germination can take up to 3 weeks.

Harvest: Leaves, flowers, entire plant in its second year

 So, what do you get in a pack of Weld Seeds?

Over 100 seeds in a package

Grown to organic Standards in Ireland for conservation purposes

Grown in Scarriff, Co. Clare, Ireland - fully traceable

Open pollinated

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WOAD TEWKESBURY SEEDS (Isatis tinctoria)
Dye Colour: Strong Blue | Country of Collection: Ireland

Woad Tewkesbury is a renowned variety of Woad, famous for producing one of the best and strongest blue dyes. Originally discovered in the hills near Tewkesbury, UK, by Dr. Hill, this variety is a favourite among natural dyers. Its 1m high stems are adorned with succulent leaves, and it produces foamy clusters of brilliant yellow flowers in its second year.

Woad has been used for centuries to create a beautiful blue dye. In the first year, the leaves are harvested for dyeing. In the second year, the plant produces seeds, and the leaves no longer yield dye.

Colour Fastness: Medium to Good depending on dye method.

Basic Growing Information

🌱 Sowing Period: Late February to March (in trays)
⏳ Germination Time: 7 – 21 days at 15-18°C (59-64°F)
🌿 Height: 1m (3ft)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil

Additional Details

Grown to organic standards (not yet certified)
Germination rate: 85%
License number: IE010713
Over 50 seeds per packet

Harvesting:

• First Year: Harvest leaves from early June for dyeing
• Second Year: Collect seeds only as the leaves no longer produce dye

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences, join courses and get support from fellow growers and dyers.

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (Pot Marigold)
Dye Colour: Yellow to Orange | Country of Collection: Ireland

Calendula officinalis, or Pot Marigold, is a vibrant, aromatic herbaceous perennial that blooms with brilliant yellow and orange flowers. These cheerful petals are perfect for adding natural colour to your garden and are ideal for eco printing and natural dyeing. Calendula is a short-lived perennial but is best sown as an annual. It grows up to 80 cm (31 in) tall with lax or upright stems, making it a delightful addition to any garden.

Dye Fastness: Poor to Medium

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: March to April or August to September
⏳ Germination Time: 14 – 21 days at 18-20°C (65-70°F)
🌿 Height: Up to 80 cm (31 in)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil and full sun

Additional Details

• Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
• Germination rate: 85%
• License number: IE010713
• 25 seeds per packet

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

WOAD BIRMINGHAM SEEDS (Isatis tinctoria)
Dye Colour: Blue-Green | Country of Collection: Ireland

Woad Birmingham is a unique and exciting variant of Woad, originating from Canada. Grown with care in Whitegate, Co. Clare, Ireland, it features beautiful crinkled leaves, waxy surfaces, and offers a rich blue-green dye when used in the first year. With its 1m high stems, succulent leaves, and brilliant yellow flowers in its second year. Woad is a charming addition to any garden, perfect for those interested in dyeing and eco printing.

Woad has been valued for centuries as a source of blue dye. In its first year, the leaves are harvested for dyeing; in the second year, the plant produces seeds and little to no dye.

Colour Fastness: Medium to Good, depending on dye methods.

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: Late February to March (in trays)
⏳ Germination Time: 7 – 21 days at 15-18°C (59-64°F)
🌿 Height: 1m (3ft)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil

Additional Details
🌍 Country of Origin: Ireland
🔬 Germination Rate: 85%
🌱 License Number: IE010713
💚 Over 50 seeds per packet

Harvesting:

• First Year: Harvest leaves from early June for dyeing
• Second Year: Collect seeds only, as leaves no longer produce dye

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

HOLLYHOCK SEEDS (Alcea rosea)
Dye Colour: Blue to Purple (Eco & Floral Printing) | Country of Collection: Ireland

Hollyhocks produce stunning deep wine-red to near-black flowers on tall, elegant stems. Blooming from summer through autumn, they make a striking addition to any garden and are perfect for eco and floral printing, yielding beautiful blue to purple prints. These short-lived perennials can grow up to 3m (10ft) tall, so be mindful of space when planting. They thrive in sunny spots and are sure to catch the eye!

Dye Fastness: Poor to Medium

Basic Growing Information

🌱 Sowing Period: Spring or late summer
⏳ Germination Time: 2 – 3 weeks at 20°C (68°F)
🌿 Height: Up to 3m (10ft)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Full sun with well-drained soil

Additional Details

• Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
• Germination rate (2024): 56%
• License number: IE010713
• 25 seeds per packet

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe. Harvest flowers throughout the season for dyeing and printing. Can be used fresh or dried.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

Cola Nuts
Dye Colour: Orange to Almost-Black | Botanically: Cola nitida (Vent.) A. Chev.

Cola nuts, a treasured natural dye source from Africa, are celebrated for their rich, vibrant orange hue. When combined with Indigo, they create a striking, almost-black colour, a technique rooted in traditional African dyeing practices. With their high tannin content, Cola nuts offer exceptional colour fastness, making them a reliable and durable choice for natural dyeing. Perfect for eco-conscious artists and makers, Cola nuts provide a unique and sustainable addition to your dyeing collection.

Colour Fastness: Very Good

Video Demonstration:
To see the Cola nut dyeing process in action, watch this insightful video from 1996 showcasing the use of Cola nuts and Indigo in textiles.

"A Dyeing Art" - Indigo & Cola Nut & Textiles - Circa 1996

Watch the video here

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This sewing thread is 100% organic cotton, a fine thread suitable for hand sewing and machine sewing on a paper bobbin.

There are 500m (546yrds) on each spool with the neutral colours also being available in 1000m (1094yrds) length. 

In terms of matching a thread to a fabric, please get in touch, as the colour shown on the monitor can vary. 

Available in an array of over 30 colours!

100% Organic Cotton

1000m