Organic European Solidago Natural Dye
Solidago virgaurea L. · European Goldenrod · Organically Grown in Poland
Organic European Solidago, commonly known as Goldenrod, produces clear yellows ranging from soft lemon and fresh floral yellow to deeper gold with warm orange undertones.
Our Solidago is organically grown and harvested in Poland. The dried aerial parts contain flavonoid colourants that can be extracted with water and applied to wool, silk, cotton and linen.
Solidago can also be combined with indigo to create lively greens or modified carefully with iron for olive, moss and green-brown shades.
At a glance
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Botanical identification: Solidago virgaurea L.
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Common name: Goldenrod
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Plant part: Dried aerial parts
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Form: Dried and cut
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Grown in: Poland
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Organic status: Organically grown
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Colours: Pale yellow, clear yellow, golden yellow, warm gold and orange-yellow
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Greens: Created with an indigo base or careful iron modification
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Fibres: Wool, silk, cotton and linen
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Mordant: Recommended; use a fibre-appropriate method
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Suggested quantity: Approximately 25–100% WOF
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Colourfastness: Moderate to good when suitably prepared, dyed and finished
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Origin: Botanical and suitable for vegan projects
How much to use
| Solidago quantity | Starting colour |
|---|---|
| 25% WOF | Soft, pale yellow |
| 50% WOF | Clear, stronger yellow |
| 100% WOF | Rich golden yellow with warmer undertones |
The final colour will also depend on the fibre, mordanting method, plant parts present in the batch, water chemistry, extraction temperature, pH and length of time in the bath.
Natural plant material varies between harvests. Sample first when working towards a particular colour.
Basic yellow recipe for wool
Ingredients
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25–100g dried Solidago per 100g dry wool
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Wool mordanted with approximately 10% alum WOF
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Enough water for the plant material and fibre to move freely
Method
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Prepare: Scour the wool and mordant it with approximately 10% alum WOF, or follow your preferred wool-mordanting method. Wet the mordanted wool thoroughly.
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Soak: Cover the Solidago with water and leave it to soak overnight.
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Extract: Heat the soaked Solidago and extraction water to approximately 80–85°C (176–185°F) and hold for one hour.
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Strain: Strain the dye liquid through a cloth. The plant material may also be contained inside a securely tied dye bag.
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Dye: Add the thoroughly wetted, mordanted wool and heat at approximately 80–85°C (176–185°F) for up to one hour.
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Develop: Turn off the heat and allow the fibre to cool in the bath. Leave it for several hours or overnight if a deeper shade is required.
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Finish: Remove the fibre, rinse thoroughly and wash gently using a suitable pH-neutral detergent. Dry away from direct sunlight.
A vigorous boil is unnecessary and may make the extracted colour duller.
Protein and cellulose fibres require different preparation.
Dyeing cotton, linen or another cellulose fibre? Find suitable preparation and mordanting methods here.
Colour possibilities
| Method | Possible result |
|---|---|
| Approximately 25% WOF | Pale lemon to soft floral yellow |
| Approximately 50% WOF | Clear, vibrant yellow |
| Approximately 100% WOF | Rich golden yellow with warm undertones |
| Stronger or repeated bath | Deeper gold to orange-yellow |
| Over an indigo base | Fresh green, leaf green or deeper blue-green |
| Light iron modification | Olive, moss green or green-brown |
| Later exhaust bath | Pale yellow or cream |
Colour descriptions are provided as a guide. Results vary according to the individual batch, fibre, mordant, water and dyeing process.
Creating green with indigo or woad
Always apply the blue first:
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Dye the scoured fibre in a correctly prepared indigo or woad vat.
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Use one or more controlled dips until the required depth of blue is reached.
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Allow the fibre to oxidise completely between dips.
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Rinse the blue-dyed fibre thoroughly.
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Mordant it using a method appropriate to the fibre.
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Apply the Solidago yellow bath.
A pale blue base followed by a strong Solidago yellow generally produces a clearer, brighter green.
A deeper blue base produces darker leaf green, teal-green or blue-green shades.
Always dye the blue first, followed by mordanting and Solidago.
Modifying with iron
Iron can shift Solidago yellow towards olive, moss green, khaki and green-brown.
Use approximately 1–3% iron WOF in a separate, diluted afterbath. Begin with 1% and increase only if necessary.
Iron acetate is often a gentler option for textile fibres than using ferrous sulphate directly.
Iron acetate may be purchased ready-made, produced using a traditional homemade iron-water method or prepared by combining ferrous sulphate with sodium acetate using an appropriate recipe.
Homemade iron water can vary considerably in strength, so test it on a sample before treating the complete piece.
Dissolve or dilute the iron thoroughly, observe the fibre continuously and remove it as soon as the desired shade develops. Excessive iron can make fibres harsh or brittle.
Tips from the dye pot
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Soak overnight | Soaking begins the extraction before heat is applied. |
| Use controlled heat | Extract and dye at approximately 80–85°C rather than using a vigorous boil. |
| Choose the quantity | Use approximately 25% WOF for pale shades and up to 100% WOF for stronger golds. |
| Create green correctly | Apply indigo or woad first, then mordant and dye with Solidago. |
| Use iron sparingly | Begin at approximately 1% WOF and increase only when necessary. |
| Consider iron acetate | It is often gentler on textile fibres than direct ferrous-sulphate treatment. |
| Reuse the bath | A second extraction or exhaust bath may produce useful paler shades. |
| Keep notes | Record the WOF, fibre, mordant, water, temperature, time and modifiers. |
Colourfastness
Solidago generally has moderate to good colourfastness when the fibre is suitably prepared, mordanted, dyed and finished.
As with many flavonoid yellows, prolonged exposure to strong light may gradually soften the shade. Deep, well-mordanted colours generally perform better than very pale or unmordanted shades.
Green shades created with indigo or woad combine two separate dye layers. Their overall performance depends on both the blue base and the Solidago yellow.
Iron-modified colours may appear darker but should not automatically be assumed to be more permanent.
Dry and store finished work away from strong, direct sunlight. Wash only when necessary using cool water and a gentle, pH-neutral detergent.
Storage and safe handling
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Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
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For textile dyeing and craft use only.
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Not for consumption or use in food, drinks, cosmetics or herbal preparations.
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Avoid creating or breathing plant dust and fine particles.
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Prevent contact with eyes, mouth and open wounds.
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Wear gloves and suitable protective equipment when handling dusty material.
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People sensitive to plants in the daisy family should take particular care when handling Solidago.
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Follow the safety instructions for all mordants, iron and indigo-vat ingredients used.
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Use iron sparingly, as excessive iron may damage textile fibres.
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Use dedicated dyeing utensils and containers—never food-preparation equipment.
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Keep away from food, children and pets.
For textile dyeing and craft use only - not for consumption.
What you receive
Your chosen net weight of dried, cut organic Solidago dye, supplied in a pouch.
As this is a natural plant material, variations in stem, leaf and flower content, particle size, colour and appearance should be expected.
Mordants, iron, indigo, woad and other dyeing supplies are sold separately.
Packaging
We pack as sustainably as we can while protecting your dye materials. Pouch types may vary according to pack size and the availability of our preferred lower-impact options.
Display jars and other props are not included.
Learn with us
Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your results, ask questions and explore natural colour alongside fellow natural dyers and dye-plant growers.
