Dyeing with Eucalyptus: My Experiment Discovering the Colours Hidden in the Gum Trees

Hidden within its leaves and bark are rich tannins and pigments capable of creating an incredible range of colours. From warm peach and honey tones to rusty oranges, olive greens and deep browns, eucalyptus has become one of my favourite plants to experiment with.

The beautiful part? The colour depends entirely on the species, the water, the fabric and even the smallest changes you make along the way.

Australia is Home to Hundreds of Eucalyptus Species

Australia is home to more than 700 species of eucalyptus, making it one of the country's most iconic native plants. While they all belong to the same family, each species contains different amounts of tannins, oils and natural pigments, producing completely different dye results.

Silver Dollar (Eucalyptus cinerea) -creates warm rust, orange, and deep red tones

River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) - often producing warm reds, peach and soft brown tones.

Even trees growing only a few kilometres apart can produce noticeably different colours due to differences in soil, rainfall, season and the age of the leaves.

My Experiment

Recently, I decided to see just how different these species could be.

I collected leaves from few different eucalyptus trees around Victoria and prepared each dye bath separately. Rather than rushing the process, I gently extracted the colour over several days using a low, slow heat bath.

As the leaves slowly released their tannins, each pot developed its own personality. Some turned a rich amber, while others leaned towards deep red-browns or soft golden hues.

Watching the colours deepen day after day reminded me why I love natural dyeing so much. There is no instant result, just patience, observation and a little bit of trust in nature.

My Experiment working with different species of Eucalyptus. All fabrics were organic cotton, pre mordant with soy milk and dyed with Silver Dollar, first fabric (dark purple) was heated in high heat with the leaves and left for 04 days to soak. Second fabric was left to soak without high heat and third fabric didn't soak, only had a dip into the dye bath once the leaves were already removed.

Here I have the same experiment of high heat plus days of soaking with organic cotton fabrics, but using Willow Eucalyptus instead. First fabric went to high heat plus 04 days of soaking, second fabric only soaked for 04 days without high heat and third fabric was just dipped into the dye bath without soaking or high heat exposure.

Silk and Cotton Tell Completely Different Stories

One of the biggest surprises was how differently each fabric responded.

The same dye bath created completely different results depending on the fibre.

Silk absorbed the colours beautifully, producing luminous, almost glowing shades with incredible depth. The natural sheen of the silk reflected the light, making the colours appear richer and more vibrant.

Organic cotton, on the other hand, created softer, more muted tones. The colours felt gentle and earthy, with a beautiful matte finish that suited the natural character of the fibre.

It was the perfect reminder that in natural dyeing, the fabric itself is just as important as the plants you're using.

All these pieces were dyed with Silver Dollar Eucalyptus and Soy Mordant. Organic Cotton on the left, Silk on top (middle) and Mulberry Silk bottom (middle) and on the right we have the different shades of Organic Cotton depending on time that soaked for... The bottom right fabric sample had also Bi Carb added to see the difference

After dyeing, I tested a couple of simple kitchen ingredients to see how they would influence the colours.

I added salt flakes to one batch and bicarbonate of soda to another.

These small adjustments encouraged subtle shifts throughout the fabrics. Some colours became warmer, while others softened or moved towards cooler earthy tones.

It's fascinating how something as simple as changing the pH of a dye bath can reveal colours you never expected.

This is exactly why I continue to fall in love with botanical dyeing.

Unlike synthetic dyes, which aim for perfect consistency, natural dyes celebrate variation. They remind us that nature isn't uniform and perhaps that's what makes it so beautiful.

The next time you walk beneath a eucalyptus tree, remember that you're standing beneath one of Australia's oldest colour palettes, quietly waiting to be discovered.

At Terra Made Studio, these moments of experimentation are part of every collection. Every colour begins with curiosity, patience and a deep appreciation for the remarkable plants growing all around us.

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