This year I decided to skip the synthetic dye tablets and go all-in on natural color magic — right in my own kitchen.
Armed with red wine, blueberries, red cabbage, turmeric, spinach, hibiscus, and some curiosity, I spent the day experimenting with plant-based dyes using the traditional stocking + leaf method for decorating eggs. And the results? Honestly — beautiful, moody, and earthy in the best way.
My top three? Wine, blueberries, and red cabbage. The tones they created were rich, deep, and totally magical.
Why Natural Dyes?
Beyond being more eco-friendly and biodegradable, natural dyes feel like a ritual. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a cabbage turn a pot of water into indigo ink, or blueberries slowly stain the shell of an egg a dreamy gray-blue. And the smell of wine simmering with eggs? Unmatched.
Plus — if you plan to actually eat your eggs afterward (as you should!), natural dyes are a gentler, cleaner alternative to artificial colorants. No synthetic chemicals, no questionable residues — just plants, water, and a bit of vinegar.
The Basic Method (with Stocking Decoration)
You’ll need:
- White eggs (room temperature)
- Leaves, herbs, or flowers (for decoration)
- Stockings or cheesecloth
- Natural dye ingredients (see below)
- A bit of vinegar
- A pot and some patience
Step-by-step:
- Wrap the raw egg with flowers or leaves (use a little water to help plants stick if using many), then wrap tightly with a stocking and secure with cotton thread.
- Prepare your dye bath (see recipes below) and let it cool to room temp.
- Add 1 tbsp salt to the bath to help prevent cracking. Place wrapped eggs in the dye.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook eggs for 10–12 minutes.
- Let them cool in the dye for deeper color — or even soak overnight in the fridge.
- Unwrap, admire, and optionally rub with a bit of oil for shine.
How to Use Each Natural Dye
Below you’ll find my favorite plant-based dyes, split into two groups:
No Pre-Boil Needed
(You can cook your eggs directly in these dye baths.)
1. Red Wine
Expected color: smoky plum, dusty violet, or gray-purple.
(Mine came out deep wine-colored.)
- Use wine as-is — no need to dilute
- Add 1 tbsp vinegar
- Place wrapped eggs in cold wine
- Bring to a gentle boil and simmer 10–12 mins
- Let cool in the dye for deeper color
2. Turmeric
Expected color: vibrant golden yellow.
(Mine were a bit underwhelming — maybe more turmeric next time?)
- Add 1–2 tbsp turmeric powder per 1L water
- Add 1 tbsp vinegar
- Place eggs in cold mixture, bring to simmer
- Simmer 10–12 mins, optionally soak longer
Pre-Boil Dye Required
(Prepare these dye baths first, then strain before adding eggs.)
3. Blueberries
Expected color: soft lavender, gray-blue, or dusky.
(Mine are gorgeous dark black-blue.)
- Use ~400g blueberries per 1L water
- Gently crush, simmer 30 mins
- Strain and add 1 tbsp vinegar
- Add eggs, simmer 10–12 mins, then cool in dye
4. Red Cabbage
Expected color: magical blues and teals.
(Mine came out pink!)
- Chop half a cabbage per 1L water
- Simmer 30–45 mins
- Strain and add 1 tbsp vinegar
- Add eggs, simmer 10–12 mins, soak for deeper tone
5. Spinach
Expected color: green (subtle).
(Mine came out very light pink/earthy — but I used 1 tsp of green blend mix. You can experiment by adding spirulina or chlorella too.)
- Blend or chop 100g spinach in 750ml water
- Simmer 30–40 mins
- Strain and add vinegar
- Can result in pale green or olive tones
6. Hibiscus / Roselle
Expected color: pink to burgundy.
(Mine came out black/gray — similar to blueberries, but the pattern left by the herbs was less sharp.)
- Use ½ to 1 cup dried petals per 1L water
- Simmer 30 mins
- Strain and add vinegar
- Can create soft reddish tones or speckled effects
Extra Tips from the Experiment
- For the most vibrant results, soak eggs overnight in the fridge after boiling.
- Want greens? Try turmeric + cabbage or cabbage + baking soda for a color shift.
- Some dyes (like red cabbage) are very pH-sensitive — so experiment with vinegar or baking soda!
This whole experiment turned into a meditative day of simmering, wrapping, and discovering. If you’ve never tried natural dyes before, I highly recommend it — it’s a slow craft, but a rewarding one.
And of course... if you're using herbs from our shop (like I do!), it’s a beautiful way to give them new life outside a cup of tea. I especially recommend trying to wrap a blue lotus flower — I have an egg that was wrapped in one and boiled in spinach dye. The golden center and blue petals are clearly visible and beautifully contrast with the soft background of the egg.
Happy spring, and may your eggs be vivid and your hands only lightly stained.
— Viktorija & the Sacred Lotus