A simple glance at the packaging of these seeds and you know that they’re made by someone with an artist background. Julie Sinden first fell in love with natural dyeing in 2002 and has since travelled to Asia, Africa and Central America to further her knowledge of this increasingly popular skill.
And, if you’ve ever wanted to take your gardening to the next level, growing your own dyes is both intriguing and rewarding. You’ll gain greater insight into the lifecycle of plants, make use of underused parts like stems and roots and you’ll uncover a whole new set of skills.
Spotlight on Natural Plant Dyes
Grow your own
Madder
Rubia tinctoria
Parts Used For Dye Roots
Colour Red and orange
Quick Guide Begin indoors 6 weeks before last frost, in a sunny warm spot or on a heating mat. Transplant, spacing about 30 cm apart and cover with mulch.
The Love of Colour Seeds, $8.00;
Plant a seed
Weld
Reseda luteola
Parts Used For Dye Leaves and flowers
Colour Base yellow (with indigo makes green)
Quick Guide Direct seed in a sunny spot after frost, cover with thin layer of soil and keep evenly moist. Thin to 20cm apart.
The Love of Colour Seeds, $8.00;
See what grows
Safflower
Carthamus tinctoria
Parts Used For Dye Petals
Colour Yellow (first bath), pink thereafter
Quick Guide Direct seed after frost in a well drained, sunny spot. Cover 3 times seed thickness with soil. Keep evenly moist.
Love of Colour Seeds, $8.00;
This original article first appeared in the FALL 2025 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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