Dyer’s madder Rubia tinctorum
Dyer’s madder (Rubia tinctorum) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Rubiaceae family, native to Eastern Mediterranean to central Asia. It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Dyer’s madder in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dyer’s madder at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Mediterranean to central Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Dyer’s madder toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: root
Not a food or medicine: the root pigment lucidin is genotoxic in laboratory tests, and madder stains milk, urine and even the bones of animals that eat it red.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dyer’s madder
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Dyer’s madder
- How far apart should I plant Dyer’s madder?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Dyer’s madder need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dyer’s madder need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Dyer’s madder?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Dyer’s madder flower?
- From about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dyer’s madder poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Not a food or medicine: the root pigment lucidin is genotoxic in laboratory tests, and madder stains milk, urine and even the bones of animals that eat it red.
- What grows well with Dyer’s madder?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dyer’s madder. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Natural Dyes: Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science (Cardon, 2007), Archetype Publications, London
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- A scrambling plant with whorls of rough, prickly leaves that hook onto neighbours. Roots dug after three years give alizarin reds: Turkey red, Ottoman and Persian carpets and British army redcoats, until synthetic alizarin (1869).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Arabica coffee Coffea arabica
- Jungle geranium (ixora) Ixora coccinea
- Kadam Neolamarckia cadamba
- Taupata (mirror bush) Coprosma repens
- Tiare (Tahitian gardenia) Gardenia taitensis
- Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) Mussaenda philippica