Sunflower dye

Lithograph of Sunflower
MFA# 2002.18680

Description

The yellow petals from the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) blooms can produce a bright yellow dye while the seeds can produce dark blues and blacks. The yellow dye obtained from sunflowers petals in alkaline solutions is not lightfast. However, in acetic acid solutions, sunflowers give a colorfast golden color on wool with an alum mordant. Additionally the color is pH dependant. Using an iron or copper mordant can shift the color to green. The seeds of the sunflower plant contain anthocyanin that is soluble in hot water. Fixatives, like alum or iron, are needed.

Synonyms and Related Terms

silk dyed with sunflower petals in Visible light

Helianthus annuus; colorant à base de tournesol (Fr.); girasol (Esp.); Hopi black

silk dyed with sunflower petals in UV light

Resources and Citations

• D. Cardon, Natural Dyes: Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science (original edition Le Monde des teintures naturelles), Archetype Publications, Ltd., London, 2007
• R.J. Adrosko, Natural Dyes in the United States, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, 1968
• Economic Botany: Expressing Achenes purple dye from seeds [Accessed Jan. 21, 2009]
• The Plant Lady: select Natural Dye Table
• Wikipedia: Helianthus Accessed May 2026
• L.Mao, G.Mazz 'Extraction of anthocyanin Pigments from Purple Sunflower Hulls' Journal of Food Science, 61(3), 1966.