Madder Plants are perennial plants within the coffee family and originally come from the Mediterranean. The roots of the Madder Plant can be used to produce a luminous red dye, and the plants have been grown for this purpose for many centuries. Madder Plants are relatively low maintenance and do not require much care, but they can be invasive so it is best to grow them in isolation lest they overrun your garden. Madder Plants thrive in full sunlight and need a well-draining soil mixture. To harvest the roots for dye is a bit more involved and will require some forethought and planning, as the roots must grow for two years before harvest.
Key Takeaways:
- The roots of the Madder plant are commonly harvested and used to create a rich red dye
- Madder plants are not picky about the pH level of their soil, but the soil must be porous and somewhat sandy in texture
- Madder plants can become invasive so it is advisable to grow them either in containers or in isolated garden beds away from other plants
“If growing from seed, start madder indoors several weeks before the last frost and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed. Make sure to give the indoor seedlings plenty of light.”
Read more: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/madder/growing-madder-for-dyes.htm