HOLLYHOCK SEEDS – Alcea rosea

(Eco & Floral Printing Plant)
Dye Colour: Blue to Purple | Produced in: Ireland

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) produce dramatic, deep wine-red to near-black flowers carried on tall, elegant stems that can reach up to 3 m in height. Flowering from summer through autumn, they are both a striking garden plant and a valued resource for eco printing and floral printing, where they can yield expressive blue to purple prints.

These short-lived perennials thrive in sunny positions and reward growers with an extended flowering season. Due to their height, they benefit from thoughtful placement and some shelter from strong winds.

Dye fastness: Poor to Medium

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
Spring or late summer

Germination time
2–3 weeks at approx. 20 °C (68 °F)

Height
Up to 3 m (10 ft)

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Printing

Flowers can be harvested continuously throughout the flowering season. They may be used fresh or dried for eco printing and floral printing applications.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 43%
Approx. 25 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

🌿 Join the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share experiences, learn natural colour techniques, and connect with fellow growers and makers.

COCHINEAL NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR PLANT FIBRES ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOUR: Pink, Light Pink

 Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour. 
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!

SUITABILITY 

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours. 

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre need ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

20g Cochineal, 100g Alum, 30g Soda Ash, 7g Iron ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags

COCHINEAL NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR WOOL AND SILK FIBRES ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOURS: Red, Pink, Pale Pink, Purple, Pale Purple

 Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour. 
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!

SUITABILITY 

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours. 

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre need ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

15g Cochineal, 6g Tartaric Acid, 2x 10g Cream of Tartar, 30g Alum, 5g Iron ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags

HIBISCUS NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR WOOL, SILK, PAINTING & GREAT FOR KIDS
Dye Colours: Pink & Light Purples, Green (Great for Kids & Hobby Dyers)
Suitable for: 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric

The Hibiscus Natural Dyeing Kit is an ideal choice for creating soft pink, purple, and green hues on wool, silk, and painting projects, making it perfect for both adults and children. This kit includes everything you need to dye up to 300g of fibre or experiment with painting, while enjoying a safe, fun, and creative process that's great for family activities.

What’s Inside the Kit:

• 100g Hibiscus Dye
• 30g Alum
• 30g Cream of Tartar
• 5g Iron
• Full, reusable dyeing instructions
• A "How to Care for Your Plant Dyed Items" card

Key Features:

• Ph Sensitive – The dye’s colours shift with pH changes, making it a fun and educational experience for children to explore.
• Not Wash or Light Fast – Best for decorative projects or temporary use.
• Multiple Dips – Dye several pieces! The colour will become paler with each additional dip.

Notes:

• For Wool & Silk Fibres – Tailored for protein-based fibres like wool and silk, making it perfect for beginners and hobby dyers.
• Not Suitable for Plant-Based Fibres – The mordanting instructions are designed for animal fibres and will not work on cotton, linen, or hemp.
• Great for Kids – The safe and simple process makes it a wonderful choice for children's craft projects, allowing them to experiment with natural dyes.
• Perfect for Painting – Ideal for creating soft-toned artwork with natural dyes, making it versatile for a range of creative activities.

Packaged in recyclable cardboard, this kit makes a fantastic gift for creative families or individuals. The dyes come in resealable stand-up bags, and the durable recipe booklet can be reused time and time again.

Whether you’re dyeing fabrics, painting, or enjoying a hands-on activity with children, the Hibiscus Natural Dyeing Kit is the perfect way to introduce vibrant, eco-friendly colours to wool, silk, and art projects.

LOGWOOD NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR WOOL AND SILK FIBRES ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOURS: Purple, Purple Blue

NOTE: Ph sensitive, not very wash and light fast

 Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour. 
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!

SUITABILITY 

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours. 

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre need ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

50g Logwood Chips, 30g Alum, 5g Iron ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags