(Cosmos sulphureus)
Dye Colour: Yellow, Orange & Burnt Gold | Produced in Ireland
Cosmos sulphureus, commonly known as Orange Cosmos, produces abundant single flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, and deep amber. With its open, daisy-like blooms and fine, feathery foliage, this easy-to-grow annual brings both lightness and energy to the dye garden.
Generous in flower and simple to cultivate, Cosmos sulphureus is well suited to natural dyeing and eco-printing, yielding clear sunny yellows, warm oranges, and soft golden tones on fibre depending on dye application. Flowers can be used fresh or dried, making it a flexible and accessible dye plant.
Dye Fastness: Poor to Medium (best on protein fibres, with alum mordant)
Sowing period:
Indoor sowing mid-March to late April
Direct sow outdoors from mid-May, once frost risk has passed
Germination time: 7–21 days
Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)
Preferred location:
Full sun; light, well-drained soil
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 86%
Irish seed licence: IE010713
Approx. 75 seeds per packet
Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.
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