ALDER CONES – Alnus glutinosa
Natural Dye Material | Rich in Tannins | Origin: Europe
Alder cones, much like alder bark, are rich in natural tannins that yield soft, earthy shades of brown, beige and warm yellow. Depending on the concentration and modifiers used, they can produce both gentle golden hues and deeper nut browns with a pleasant, organic tone.
Naturally high in tannins, alder cones offer medium to good colour fastness and can be used alone or as a tannin base before other plant dyes.
Dyeing Properties
• Colour range: yellow–brown to warm chestnut tones
• Tannin level: moderate to high
• Colour fastness: medium to good
• Use for: wool, silk, cotton, linen and paper
Iron modifiers darken the colour, shifting it towards greys and warm browns.
Basic Recipe
Mordant: Alum 10–15% WOF (weight of fibre)
Dyestuff: Alder cones 100–200% WOF
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Pour boiling water over the cones and allow to steep for 24–48 hours.
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Simmer gently for about 2 hours, then strain.
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Add the pre-mordanted fibre to the dye bath and leave until the desired shade is reached, or soak overnight for stronger results.
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For deeper tones, add a small amount of iron modifier at the end of the dyeing process and/or leave out the Alum mordant.
In a Nutshell
• Botanical name: Alnus glutinosa
• Form: Whole cones
• Origin: Europe
• Use: Natural dye / tannin source
• Colour fastness: Medium to good
• Storage: Keep dry, cool and away from direct sunlight
An earthy, versatile tannin source producing warm, natural tones — ideal for both standalone dyeing and tannin-rich underlayers.
