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Plants & Fashion
Top 10

Cotton (Gossypium barbadense)
The fine fibres that surround the seeds of the cotton plant provide the world with a wide range of fabrics.

Flax (Linum usitatissimum)
The fibres of the flax plant are used to make linen, which makes cool summer clothing.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
There are many species of goldenrod and all of them will produce a beautiful permanent yellow dye.

Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Paste made from the henna plant is used in hair dyes and to create the famous patterns that are used to decorate women’s hands and feet in the Middle East and the subcontinent.

Indigo (Indigofera spp.)
This plant is responsible for the blue dye that gives blue jeans their distinctive colour.

Madder (Rubia tinctorum)
Used in ancient times to dye fabrics red or pink, its colour is now mimicked by modern dyes.

Mulberry (Morus alba)
Leaves of the white mulberry tree are the staple diet of silk worms.

Raffia palm (Raphia farinifera)
Palm leaves are finely woven to makes hats and baskets.

Rose (Rosa spp.)
Rose oil is a base for many fragrances and the rose has long been an inspiration for fabric designers.

Walnut (Juglans regia)
Walnut husks produce a strong dye. Brown dye made from black walnuts is very lightfast so will not fade over time.