Black Walnut husks (Juglans nigra) are a traditional and powerful source of natural dye, long prized for their ability to produce deep browns, chocolate shades, and near-blacks. Rich in tannins and the dye compound juglone, they are a substantive dye that requires no mordant. The walnut colours have excellent lightfastness.

Traditionally used for making ink as well as dyeing textiles, walnut husks remain a staple for natural dyers who want rich, earthy tones. They can also be used in eco-printing as a “dye blanket” to provide a strong background wash of colour. Try walnut overdyed with other dyes like indigo or madder for rich, muted shades.

Our walnut husks are sustainably harvested in the USA, making them a renewable dye source with a deep heritage in natural colour traditions.

Additional Notes

• Traditionally used in ink-making as well as textiles
• Provides excellent lightfastness without mordants
• Not considered a low-impact method unless finely ground, but highly effective for strong, earthy shades

Active Dye Compounds Juglone (a naphthoquinone) High tannin content

CI Number No CI number assigned.

Shading Tips

• Without mordant: deep browns, chocolate tones, near-blacks with iron
• With alum, it enhances and intensifies shades
• As a dye blanket: excellent background colour for eco-printing projects
• On fibres: works especially well on protein and cellulose fibres; use a dye bag with wool to prevent husk fragments sticking