Holi Color Flowers – 8 Best You Can Use

We’ve got the best Holi color flowers, which you can use to make organic colors this festive season! We will also tell you how to use them.

Organic colors are safe, so you don’t have to worry about exposure to chemicals or harming your skin. And what can be a better way to ensure safe Holi than using holi color flowers from your garden?

Why Organic Colors from Flowers?

Organic colors are natural colorants derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources. They are entirely safe and are used in various products, from food and beverages to cosmetics and fabrics.

So, if you want to have fun this Holi without any worry about the safety hazards of regular colors available in the market, you should try out organic Holi color flowers!

Which Flower is Associated with Holi

If you are wondering – which flower is associated with Holi, then the answer to that question is – Palash, also known as Butea Monosperma or Tesu. You might have spotted this tree in the wild or at the side of some village road, blooming with flowers at the end of February or the start of March.

These holi color flowers symbolizes joy and rejuvenation, resonating with the festival’s essence.

Best Holi Color Flowers

1. Palash Tree (पलाश)

Botanical Name: Butea monosperma

One of the best and most popular flowers used to make holi colours, the orange-red blooms from a Palash tree can be used to make a rich orange color. Take these flowers and soak them overnight in a large pot. The water will turn into a lovely orange – boil it and then let it simmer; it will turn thicker and can be used as a soft paste.

You can also use the boiled water as a color.

2. Hibiscus (गुड़हल)

Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

The beautiful red petals of Hibiscus flowers are a natural source of red color. Separate the petals, spread them on a dry cloth, and let them dry for 2-3 days. You don’t need to keep them in direct sunlight – shade would be best. Once dry, you can grind the petals into a powder for a red Holi color.

3. Roses (गुलाब)

Botanical Name: Rosa

You can use the petals of any rose flower to make organic colors—however, these are not the most popular flowers used to make Holi colors. Just let them dry for a few days and grind them up. If you want liquid colors, soak the petals in warm water for a day or two and then strain them.

4. Marigold (गेंदा)

Botanical Name: Tagetes

Marigolds are versatile flowers that can also be used to make yellow Holi colors. Dry them like Hibiscus and turn them into a fine powder. To improve the consistency, add 1-2 tablespoons of rice flour. You can also put their petals in water and boil them.

5. Chrysanthemum (गुलदाउदी)

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum × morifolium

If you don’t have Marigolds in your home, you can use Chrysanthemum as holi color flowers. Take apart the flower petals and let them dry for a couple of days, then grind them up into a powder just like the rest.

6.  Jacaranda (नील गुलमोहर)

Botanical Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia

Are you looking for a flower that will give you a blue color for Holi? You should pick Jacarandas. They give a lovely lavender-purple hue after drying up into a powder.

7. Butterfly Pea (अपराजिता)

Botanical Name: Clitoria ternatea

If you want a darker shade of blue, go for Butterfly Pea. These are often used in organic Holi colors. Let the leaves soak in a tub of water overnight and use it on Holi.

8. Indian Cress (Nasturtium)

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

You can find Indian Cress flowers in yellow and orange. Both flowers and leaves are edible, but what’s impressive is that you can use each of these Holi color flowers to make a different (and completely safe) festival hue!

Plants and Fruits to Make Holi Colors

If you don’t have the flowers used to make Holi colours in your vicinity, many plants and fruits can be used for this purpose, too.

You can mash some ripe Jamuns (जामुन) and extract their purple juice. Dilute it with water, then add a few teaspoons of rice flour for a lovely purple Holi color. Do the same with Beets (चुकंदर) for burgundy/magenta.

But these aren’t all – you can also blend leafy green vegetables like Spinach (पालक) and Mustard (सरसों) in a blender for a smooth paste, strain it and dilute it to make the green color.

Note: Many people say you can also use the Sinduri plant (सिंदूर का पौधा) to make Holi colors. But DON’T do it! You can get the color ONLY from the plant’s seeds, which are also used in food coloring and cosmetics. The leaves and other parts of this plant are toxic.