UJJAPPA · DMI-OS

Filter by month and region to find what's harvestable now. Data reflects Indian conditions.

Month

Region

14 plants available year-round

Indigo

Blue

Indigofera tinctoria

Harvest: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Part used: Leaves

Regions: South, West

Harvest before flowering for highest indigotin content.

Madder

Red–Orange

Rubia tinctorum / cordifolia

Harvest: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Part used: Roots (3+ yr plants)

Regions: North, South, West

Harvest roots in autumn after 3 years of growth. Dry before use.

Turmeric

Bright Yellow

Curcuma longa

Harvest: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Part used: Rhizomes

Regions: South, East, West

Dig rhizomes when leaves turn yellow. Poor light-fastness — use with care.

Pomegranate Rind

Yellow–Tan

Punica granatum

Harvest: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Part used: Rind

Regions: North, West, South

Dry rinds thoroughly. Rich in tannin — excellent on cotton.

Henna

Orange–Brown

Lawsonia inermis

Harvest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Part used: Leaves

Regions: North, West

Harvest young leaves in monsoon season. Strong mordant not required.

Marigold

Yellow–Gold

Tagetes erecta

Harvest: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Part used: Flower heads

Regions: All regions

Flowers freely available year-round in cooler months. Fresh or dried.

Onion Skins

Gold–Burnt orange

Allium cepa

Harvest: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Part used: Dry outer skins

Regions: All regions

Available all year. Brown skins = warm gold. Red skins = orange-green.

Teak Leaves

Tan–Brown

Tectona grandis

Harvest: Feb, Mar, Apr

Part used: Fallen leaves

Regions: West, South, Central

Collect fallen leaves in dry season before monsoon.

Jackfruit

Yellow

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Harvest: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Part used: Heartwood / bark

Regions: South, East, West

Shavings from pruned branches. Do not harm living trees.

Mango Bark

Yellow–Beige

Mangifera indica

Harvest: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Part used: Bark (pruned branches)

Regions: All regions

Available year-round. Good tannin source for cotton pre-treatment.

Cassia (Senna)

Yellow–Green

Senna auriculata

Harvest: Sep, Oct, Nov

Part used: Pods and leaves

Regions: South, West

Harvest after monsoon. Also a useful tannin source.

Palash (Flame of Forest)

Orange–Red

Butea monosperma

Harvest: Feb, Mar, Apr

Part used: Flowers

Regions: North, Central, East

Collect flowers during blooming season. Brilliant orange on alum-mordanted wool.

Kamala (Monkey Face Tree)

Orange–Red

Mallotus philippensis

Harvest: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Part used: Fruit glands

Regions: South, East

Red powder from fruit surface. Traditional red dye for silk.

Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan)

Tan–Grey-green

Terminalia chebula

Harvest: Oct, Nov, Dec

Part used: Dried fruits

Regions: North, East, South

Excellent tannin mordant for cotton. Also saddens with iron.