Marigold Dye Powder

Botanical name: Tagetes erecta

Common name: Flor de Muertos, Genda, Jhandu, Aztec Marigold

Colorant: Lutein, Zeaxanthin

Dye type: This is an adjective dye (needs mordants for better fastness).

Shade Range: It produces vivid yellow, gold and sometimes even soft oranges. Acidic modifiers such as citric acid will brighten the tone to a more yellow​​, while iron will cause the tone to shift toward greenish ones.

Mordant Requirements: Be sure to use alum and iron to deepen the color and make it fast. Both protein and cellulose fibers can be processed in marigold.

Fastness: Lightfastness and washfastness are moderate, particularly with the addition of mordants such as alum or iron​.

Common Uses: Popular in ecofriendly fabric dyeing; the flowers are also used in traditional Indian ceremonies and in Mexican festivals such as Dia de los Muertos. It often is used in combination with other natural dyes in order to broaden its color range.

Country of Origin: South America, India

Vegetarian product: Yes