(Persicaria tinctoria / Japanese Indigo)
Dye Colour: Blue (Indigo) | Produced in Ireland
Persicaria tinctoria, commonly known as Japanese Indigo, is a fast-growing annual prized by natural dyers for its high indigo content and reliability in temperate climates. Its vibrant green leaves are the source of rich blue indigo pigment, suitable for fresh-leaf dyeing, pigment extraction, and traditional Sukumo vats.
A cornerstone plant for natural dye gardens, Persicaria produces clear, vibrant blues when grown well and harvested at the right moment. It is very frost sensitive and should be protected with horticultural fleece if late frosts occur after planting out.
Dye Fastness: Excellent (with proper indigo processes)
Sowing period:
Indoor sowing mid-March to mid-April
Direct sow outdoors from mid-May, once frost risk has passed
Germination time: 7–14 days
Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)
Preferred location:
Full sun to light shade; fertile, consistently moist but well-drained soil
Climate note:
Frost and wind sensitive — sheltered planting improves growth and pigment yield
Harvest leaves when plants reach 40–50 cm, up to 2–4 times during the growing season, allowing fresh regrowth between cuts. For fresh-leaf dyeing or pigment extraction, leaves should be processed as soon as possible after harvesting to retain colour strength.
This is a white-flowered variety that produced the highest pigment yield in our 2024 Persicaria variety trials, which compared seven different types grown in Ireland. It was also the earliest flowering variety, making it particularly suitable for outdoor seed saving in Ireland in most years.
(See the final product image for trial results — this variety is shown as Sample No. 5.)
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 85%
Irish seed licence: IE010713
Approx. 25 seeds per packet
Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.
🌿 Join the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share growing experiences, learn indigo techniques, and connect with fellow growers.
(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
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
Flowers can be harvested continuously throughout the flowering season. They may be used fresh or dried for eco printing and floral printing applications.
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate (2024): 56%
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.
(Traditional Yellow & Orange Dye Plant)
Dye Colour: Yellow & Orange | Produced in: Ireland
Tagetes erecta, commonly known as African Marigold, is a highly productive dye plant producing abundant double flowers in rich shades of yellow and orange. With their distinctive anemone-like form and geometric structure, these blooms are valued for both natural dyeing and eco printing, where they yield warm, golden tones and expressive botanical prints.
Compact and evenly growing, African Marigolds reach around 25–30 cm in height and are well suited to dedicated dye beds, containers, and mixed planting schemes.
Dye fastness: Medium
Sowing period
Early February to late May
Germination time
5–14 days
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil
Harvest flowers regularly throughout the season to encourage continued flowering. Blooms may be used fresh or dried for dyeing and eco printing.
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 68%
Approx. 75 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 your experiences and get support from fellow growers.
(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: 68%
Irish seed licence: IE010713
Approx. 75 seeds per packet
Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.
🌿 Join the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share growing experiences, explore dye techniques, and connect with fellow growers.
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