The eucalyptus tree

When I began my Colourway explorations, I did some extensive natural dyeing experiments with eucalyptus dye. An easily accessible natural dye source, originating from the myrtle family & native to Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea & Indonesia. Historically, the bark of the eucalyptus was a popular choice in the making of many common & household objects. The eucalyptus is a sacred tree to the Aboriginal people and the wood of choice for many functional & decorative pieces. The bark & resin can be used medicinally to treat fevers & common respiratory problems.

How many types of eucalyptus are there?

With over 700 known species of eucalyptus, the bark can range from smooth to fibrous. The leaves are laden with oil-producing compounds. Depending on the variety, the leaves are different shapes & some varieties produce fruits that grow in a woody capsule shape.

Introduced to Europe in the 18th century, the eucalyptus arrived in America by the mid-19th Century. It has adapted to the extreme climates of freezing alpine regions & barren desert landscapes. This is due to its hardy nature, which allows it to survive extremes of temperature.

Can you dye with eucalyptus?

Yes, you can dye with all species of eucalyptus; it doesn’t matter which variety you have in your area. Try experimenting & discover what colours it holds.

Natural dyeing with eucalyptus

As natural dyes, the leaves, bark, seeds & twigs are used to create a range of earthy colours. For these experiments, I extracted dye from the leaves, branches & fruit (also called gum nuts) of the Gunnii eucalyptus below.

What colours to expect from eucalyptus dye

Depending on the species, location & time of year, the colours possible are varied & diverse. The strength of your colours is based on the amount of dyestuff you use & the time you leave your fibre in the dye bath. Meaning the more plant matter you use and the longer you leave your fibre to soak in the dye, the stronger your colours will be.

Does eucalyptus dye need mordant?

Eucalyptus leaves, branches, seeds & bark all contain tannic acid, which acts as a natural mordant. When plants are high in tannin, you don’t necessarily need to mordant your fibre. However, if you are dyeing items you will wear or that will be washed repeatedly, I recommend mordanting before dyeing.

Natural dyeing with eucalyptus

As you can see from the photo above, the shades can range from soft yellow to dark graphite. With the addition of modifiers (a modifier is an ingredient that can change or modify the colours), you can expand the colour possibilities & create a diverse natural palette from one plant. As eucalyptus is available throughout the year, it is a wonderful source of natural colour & definitely one I would recommend you try.

If you enjoyed seeing the colours from eucalyptus dye, take a look at more earthy colours from Ireland’s native gorse plant. Or perhaps you prefer the terracotta tones from the leaves of the hawthorn tree.

Want to Explore More Natural Colour?

If you enjoyed discovering what eucalyptus can do, you might enjoy exploring some of the many other plants and natural materials that can produce colour.

My Guide to Plant-Based Colour brings together over 200 natural dye sources, organised by colour and plant type, so you can discover new possibilities and choose what you’d like to experiment with next.

Explore the Guide to Plant-Based Colour →

x Kathryn