How To Dye with Olive Leaf

I started my dye journey with olive, as we have 1200 olive trees spread over 2 groves, one old and one new. Each year, the olive trees need to be pruned to encourage fruiting and easy access of sunlight and air to the growing olives. So each year we have an abundance of olive cuttings. What better place to start!

Botanical Overview

The olive tree, Olea europaea, is a small evergreen tree best known for its fruit and oil, and for thriving in warm, dry regions around the Mediterranean. Italy alone has 538 cultivars. It usually grows to a few meters tall, with a short, twisting trunk and a rounded, branching crown.​

Its leaves are narrow and firm, growing in pairs directly across from one another. dark green on top and silvery underneath, giving the whole tree a soft, grey‑green look. The bark becomes rough and deeply lined as the tree ages, adding to its characteristic, ancient appearance.​

Olive trees produce clusters of small, white flowers that later develop into olives, which start out green and darken as they ripen. These fruits are processed for eating or pressed to make olive oil, a staple in many cuisines.​

The tree is well adapted to hot, dry summers and poor, rocky soils. It is one of the oldest fruit trees domesticated by humans, and can live for thousands of years. Because of this longevity and toughness, it is often associated with resilience, peace, and continuity.

Most of the olive trees grown in Tuscany are Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolio, Maurino, Moraiolo and Taggiasca,

How to grow it

In warm climates, olives want full sun and well-drained soil. Plant near a warm wall, and water deeply, but allow soil to dry between waterings.

In cold climates, olives can grow in pots. In summer, put it outside with lots of sunlight. In winter, keep just above freezing (they need cold to induce flowering).

For Dyeing

Any species of Olea europaea can be used for dyeing. It produces a bright clear yellow colour. It is relatively easy to grow and likes to be pruned.

Which species to use

Which parts to use

How to harvest and store

Typical colour results

How to prepare the fabric

Materials List

How much to use

How to extract the dye

How to dye the fibres

How to modify the colours

how to rinse and dry

Tips for achieving the perfect shade

Will tap water or ph affect the colour