NATURAL DYES IN THE WILD
Non-Native & Invasive Dye Plants
Eucalyptus (invasive)
Strong tannin
Dye with all parts of the tree (leaves, stems, bark)
All varieties have dye potential
Eupatory aka sticky snakeroot (invasive)
Dye with leaves
Found widely in riparian areas
Yellow oxalis aka sourgrass (invasive)
Dye with flowers
Spanish broom (invasive)
Dye with stems & leaves
Found widely in coastal & mountainous areas
Sheep sorrel
Dye with stalks & seedpods
Pokeberry
Dye with berries
Requires acidic pH (semi-stable color)
Stinging nettle
Dye with leaves (caution: collect with gloves - leaves have stingers)
Requires copper mordant or dye pot (semi-stable color)
Curly dock
Dye with seeds and pods
Garden & Kitchen Dyes
Flowers:
Hollyhock
Coreopsis
Zinnia
Marigold
Herbs:
Rosemary
Fennel
From the kitchen:
Carrot tops
Yellow onion skins
Pomegranate skins
Avocado pits & skins
Native Dye Plants
Oak
Strong tannin
Dye with all parts of the tree (leaves, stems, bark, acorns, galls)
Prickly pear
Dye with fruit
Fermentation strengthens color (semi-stable color)
Elderberry
Dye with fruit
Requires acidic pH (semi-stable color)
Sagebrush
Dye with stems & leaves
Wild tarragon
Dye with stems & leaves
Black walnut
Strong tannin
Dye with nut shells (or whole nuts)
Laurel sumac
Tannin
Dye with stems & leaves
Toyon
Dye with stems & leaves
Fermentation strengthens color
Coffeeberry
Dye with stems & leaves
Sticky monkey flower
Dye with flowers
California buckwheat
Dye with dried (red) flowers