Will Flower Petals Absorb Dye?

Use white flowers for brightly colored petals when dyeing.

A dye-and-water mixture will effectively color a cut flower. The dye travels up the stem and into the petals. Experimenting with cutting the stem and using a variety of colors enhances the results.

Effects

White flowers work best for dyeing; try white carnations or Queen Anne's lace. Mix water-soluble food coloring (dark red and blue work well) into a glass of water and stick the cut flowers into the glass. The colors should begin to change within a few hours; wait 12 hours for full effects.

Considerations

Try splitting the stem and sticking each part into a different color of dye. The flower petals will absorb the different colors distinctly and separately.

Expert Insight

The water moves through the flower's stem through hollow cells called xylem. They form tubes like drinking straws going up the stem into the petals. The dye shows the lines of the xylem as it goes through the flower's stem and petals.

References

• Purdue University College of Agriculture: Gilding the Lilies - Rainbow Roses and Confetti Poinsettia
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: Two-Colored Flower
• Third Sector New England: MadSci Network - Coloring Flowers