This bundle of four seeds features Hopi Black Dye Sunflower, Indigo, Madder, and Weld seeds. These four plants are some of the oldest recorded natural dyes--with some artifacts dating to more than 6,000 years old (makes you question the lightfast skeptics!). Continue celebrating the traditions of natural dyes, and save a little with a bundle!
These native Hopi sunflowers are happiest in sun. They were originally used by the Hopi people, and thought to be one of the first plants to be domesticated. Direct sow only, 1” deep, 12” apart, after the last frost has passed. Once harvested from the sunflower, the seeds will yield the best, earthy purples and grays with amendments. Each packet contains about 75 seeds. Pollinator friendly and edible!
Indigo is a very tolerant plant, but is happiest in sun, with rich soil. The happier the plant is, the more depth of shade you will receive. Plant 12” apart. Seeds take about 12-18 days to germinate--shorter time if you presoak seeds overnight. Each packet contains about 100 seeds.
Madder seeds are for those who are in it for the long haul! Start seeds indoors and transplant outside once they are a few inches tall. One happy plant can spread to 4 or more square feet, so ideally madder would have its own bed as it can become too comfortable and crawl over its neighbors. Madder can even become mildly invasive if left unwatched. Prefers a sunny spot, and well drained, deep, fertile soil will yield the best color results. Takes about 2-3 years for roots to produce dye, but this plant needs minimal maintenance once established. Each seed packet contains 10 seeds. Madder root will give the illusive orange and deep reds that are tricky to obtain with natural dyes--worth the wait!
Weld, or Reseda luteola, is the oldest noted yellow dye. Growing in rosettes, you can collect the leaves and use year round, as well as dye with the flower stalk which can reach up to 3-5 feet tall. Depending on your zone, can be an annual or biennial. Plant 6-8” apart, can tolerate some shade but prefers sun. Each packet contains about 200 seeds.
All bedhead fiber seeds have been sourced from farms within the US, use organic practices, and are non-gmo.
Photos by Kristina Moravec. Contact bedhead fiber to arrange usage terms.