Pomegranate Peel and Flowers
Punica granatum L. · Coloured Tannin · Natural Yellow Dye
Pomegranate provides two different natural colour materials: tannin-rich fruit peel and whole dried flowers.
Choose from:
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Organic cut pomegranate peel
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Non-organic ground pomegranate peel
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Non-organic whole pomegranate flowers, wild-collected in India
Pomegranate peel is best known as a rich source of coloured tannin. It is particularly useful when preparing cotton, linen and other cellulose fibres for mordanting, while simultaneously adding a yellow base colour.
When the tannin treatment is followed by an alum and soda-ash bath, the alum brightens the naturally warm pomegranate colour and can produce a vibrant, slightly cool lemon yellow. This creates a useful quick yellow without requiring a heated dye bath.
The peel can also be extracted conventionally to produce warmer yellows, golds, mustard shades and yellow-browns.
Whole pomegranate flowers produce soft to deeper yellows, but their colourfastness is poor. They are best suited to experimental dyeing and projects where gradual fading is acceptable.
At a glance
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Botanical name: Punica granatum L.
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Plant parts: Fruit peel or whole flowers
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Forms: Cut peel, ground peel or whole flowers
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Organic status: Cut peel only
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Flower origin: Wild-collected in India
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Peel colours: Lemon yellow, golden yellow, mustard and yellow-brown
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Flower colours: Soft yellow, golden yellow and occasional yellow-orange
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Fibres: Wool, silk, cotton and linen
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Principal peel use: Coloured tannin for cellulose preparation
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Mordant: Recommended
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Peel colourfastness: Generally good to excellent
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Flower colourfastness: Poor
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Vegan: Yes
Choosing your pomegranate material
| Material | Organic status | Principal use | Suggested quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut peel | Organic | Coloured tannin and conventional dyeing | 10–60% WOF as tannin; approximately 100% WOF as a dye |
| Ground peel | Non-organic | Coloured tannin, conventional dyeing and printing | 10–60% WOF as tannin; approximately 100% WOF as a dye |
| Whole flowers | Non-organic; wild-collected in India | Experimental yellow dyeing | Approximately 50–100% WOF |
Quick lemon yellow and tannin preparation
Pomegranate peel can be used as a coloured tannin when preparing cotton, linen and other cellulose fibres.
Unlike pale tannins such as tara or oak gall, pomegranate leaves a visible yellow background. The subsequent alum and soda-ash bath brightens this colour and can produce a vibrant, slightly cool lemon yellow.
No heated dye bath is required.
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Scour: Scour the cellulose fibre thoroughly and rinse well.
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Prepare the tannin bath: Add approximately 10–60% pomegranate peel WOF to cool water. Keep the bath no warmer than approximately 40°C (104°F).
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Soak: Immerse the fibre for at least one to two hours or for up to 24 hours. Stir occasionally.
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Remove: Wearing gloves, remove and squeeze the fibre gently. Do not rinse aggressively and do not allow it to dry.
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Prepare the alum bath: Separately dissolve 12% alum WOF and 1.5% soda ash WOF in hot water. Combine the solutions carefully while stirring.
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Develop and mordant: Add the tannin-treated fibre and leave it for at least two hours or for up to 24 hours.
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Finish: Rinse thoroughly. The fibre may be used as a finished yellow textile, overdyed or dried for later use.
Alum brightens the pomegranate tannin, helping develop a clearer, cooler lemon yellow while completing the cellulose-mordanting process.
Read the complete guide to mordanting linen and cotton.
Conventional dyeing with pomegranate peel
For a stronger, warmer yellow, gold or yellow-brown, begin with:
100g pomegranate peel per 100g dry fibre
Equivalent to 100% WOF - weight of dry fibre.
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Prepare: Scour and mordant the fibre using a suitable method, then wet it thoroughly.
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Extract: Add the peel to water at approximately 80°C (176°F) and hold for one hour.
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Strain: Strain the cut peel or remove the dye bag containing the ground peel.
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Dye: Add the thoroughly wetted fibre to the extracted bath.
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Develop: Leave the fibre in the cooling bath until the desired depth develops. It may remain overnight or for up to three days.
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Finish: Remove, rinse thoroughly and wash gently.
Ground peel should be contained in a fine dye bag or stirred regularly to prevent settling and scorching.
For wool and silk, approximately 10% alum WOF may be used. Pomegranate peel can colour some protein fibres without an additional mordant, but alum generally produces a brighter, clearer yellow and improves consistency.
Basic guide for pomegranate flowers
Use approximately 50–100% WOF.
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Prepare: Scour and mordant wool or silk with approximately 10% alum WOF.
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Soak: Cover the flowers with water and leave overnight.
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Extract: Heat gently for approximately one hour.
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Strain: Strain the liquid. Return the flowers in a dye bag if desired.
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Dye: Add the wetted fibre and heat gently for approximately one hour.
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Cool: Allow the fibre to cool in the bath.
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Finish: Rinse gently and dry away from strong sunlight.
Using more flowers may deepen the initial yellow or produce yellow-orange, but it will not necessarily improve permanence.
Tips from the dye pot
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Use it as a coloured tannin | Pomegranate peel prepares cellulose for mordanting while adding a visible yellow base. |
| Create a quick yellow | The cool tannin bath followed by alum and soda ash can produce lemon yellow without a heated dye bath. |
| Keep the bath cool | Remain below approximately 40°C when a clear, light tannin colour is wanted. Excessive heat may darken it. |
| Brighten with alum | Alum develops a clearer, brighter and slightly cooler yellow. |
| Choose the form | Cut peel is easier to strain; ground peel disperses readily but creates more sediment. |
| Create green | Overdye the pomegranate yellow with indigo. |
| Modify carefully | Iron can produce olive, khaki, grey and brown, but excessive iron can damage fibres. |
| Consider permanence | The peel is substantially more colourfast than the flowers. |
| Keep notes | Record the material, fibre, mordant, WOF, water chemistry, temperature and processing time. |
Colourfastness
Pomegranate peel
Pomegranate peel generally produces good to excellent colourfastness when the fibre is suitably prepared, mordanted, dyed and finished.
Performance depends on the fibre, mordanting process, depth of shade and aftercare.
Pomegranate flowers
Pomegranate flowers have poor colourfastness. Their yellows may fade or change through exposure to light, washing and storage.
They are best treated as an experimental dye rather than a dependable source of permanent textile colour.
Storage and safe handling
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Store tightly sealed, cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.
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For textile dyeing, mordanting, printing and craft use only.
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Not for consumption or use in food, drinks, cosmetics, soap or herbal preparations.
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Avoid creating or breathing dust, particularly when handling ground peel.
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Prevent contact with eyes, mouth and open wounds.
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Wear suitable protective equipment when handling dusty material.
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Follow the safety instructions for all mordants, iron, printing thickeners and modifiers used.
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Combine alum and soda-ash solutions carefully, as the mixture may bubble.
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Use dedicated dyeing and printing equipment - never food-preparation utensils.
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Keep away from food, children and pets.
For textile dyeing, mordanting, printing and craft use only - not for consumption.
What you receive
Your chosen net weight of:
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Organic cut pomegranate peel
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Non-organic ground pomegranate peel, or
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Non-organic whole pomegranate flowers, wild-collected in India
Please check the selected material and pack size carefully before ordering. The organic certification applies only to the cut peel.
Natural variation in colour, particle size and botanical appearance should be expected.
Mordants, soda ash, iron, guar gum 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 props are not included.
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