Also known as cempasúchil (Mexico), genda phool (India), African marigold, Aztec marigold.

From the Day of the Dead in Mexico to Diwali in India, marigolds are celebrated worldwide as symbols of purity, spirituality, and abundance. Beyond their cultural role, marigolds also yield a beautiful natural dye with warm golden yellows. Their moderate to good lightfastness makes them a reliable choice for natural dyers. When overdyed with indigo, they produce stunning ranges of greens.

Our marigold extract is pure marigold, unlike many on the market, which are often blended with cheaper yellow dyestuffs like turmeric. This makes it both authentic and highly efficient: just 100 g of extract can dye up to 30 kg of fibre.

Historical Note
Marigolds have a long tradition of being used not only as ornamentals and ceremonial flowers but also as a source of dye across different continents. In Mexico, Aztecs valued them both as a sacred flower and a dye plant, while in India, they are still used to dye textiles for temple offerings and festive wear.

Active Dye Components
Primarily lutein and other flavonoids.

CI Colour Name
Closest family: CI Natural Yellow 13

Shading Tips

• Alum mordant: warm golden yellows
• Iron mordant: shifts shades toward olive greens and khaki
• Overdye with indigo: brilliant range of greens
• Exhaust baths: paler yellows and creams

Light fastness: moderate to good.

Source
Extracted from marigold flowers (Tagetes spp.), sustainably sourced and processed into a high-strength, professional-grade extract.