Covering Grey Hair with Henna and Indigo: What to Expect from Plant Colour

The short answer: yes, henna covers grey hair, but on its own it colours greys copper-red, not brown or black. For brown, mix henna and indigo together in one step. For black or very dark brown, apply henna first and then an indigo-rich second step. Either way, you're colouring the grey strands that have grown; nothing changes the grey that grows in next.

Does henna really cover grey hair?

Yes. Grey and white strands have little natural pigment underneath, so they take henna strongly and show it brightly. Fresh from the rinse they look copper-orange, and over 24–48 hours they usually settle to a richer copper or copper-red. If your hair is mostly dark with scattered greys, those greys look like warm highlights. If it's mostly white, your whole head usually goes copper.

That copper is henna working, not failing. What henna can't do alone is make a grey strand brown or black: it only ever adds copper-red. If copper isn't the colour you want, add indigo from the start rather than layering more henna.

Which method suits the shade you want?

Choose by the colour you're after, not by how grey you are:

The ratios are starting points, so strand test a lock of your own hair first; grey shows every change clearly. Plant colour suits you if you're happy with shades from copper to black and a routine of a few hours. It isn't the route to ash, light blonde or any shade lighter than you are now, because neither henna nor indigo can lighten hair.

Can I mix henna and indigo together for grey hair?

Yes, and that's how you get brown. Mix the henna with warm water and let it rest 3–4 hours (ideally 8). When you're ready to apply, mix the indigo fresh with warm water and a pinch of salt, stir it straight into the henna at your chosen ratio and apply it at once. Leave it on at least 1 hour and no more than 2, then rinse with water. The full step-by-step method is in how to mix henna and indigo for brown hair.

Will indigo turn grey hair black?

Yes, as the second step after henna. On bare grey hair, indigo alone tends to look blue, green or patchy, because there's no warm colour underneath to balance its blue. Henna first gives the grey a copper base; the indigo-rich second step then usually turns it very dark brown to black.

1. Prepare the henna once. Mix and rest it 3–4 hours (ideally 8), and set a little aside for step 2.
2. Step 1: henna. Apply it to clean hair, soaking the grey roots well, and leave it covered for 2 hours or longer. Rinse with water only, no shampoo or oil, and let your hair dry. Damp is fine; wet isn't.
3. Step 2: indigo. Mix indigo fresh with warm water and a pinch of salt, combine it with the saved henna at 80% indigo to 20% henna, and apply at once. Leave it 1–2 hours, then rinse with water.

Both steps usually fit into one day. Indigo doesn't change greying itself: it colours the strand, and new grey still grows in. For the full method, see how to use indigo powder for black hair.

How long should henna or indigo stay on grey hair?

Henna alone: at least 2 hours, and longer gives a deeper result as long as the paste stays moist under a shower cap or damp towel. Anything with indigo in it, whether the one-step mix or the second step: at least 1 hour and no more than 2. Grey roots need the paste pressed on thickly, so work in small sections.

Can I cover grey hair without chemical dye?

Everything, plants included, is made of chemicals, so no hair colour is truly chemical-free. What you can choose is the ingredient list. Spierb Henna Powder is a single plant ingredient with no PPD, ammonia or peroxide, and Spierb Indigo Powder is one ingredient too: indigo leaf. They still colour your hair, and some people react to them, so patch test 24–48 hours before first use with the mix you plan to use. Don't go ahead if the skin burns, swells, blisters or turns red, or if it itches and the itch doesn't settle.

How long does it last, and how often should I colour?

Henna lasts on the strand until it grows out. Indigo usually fades faster than henna, especially on grey roots, so dark greys can warm up between colours. Rather than colouring your whole head again on a schedule, colour the new growth when it shows, using the same method and ratio each time. Colouring the full length every time makes it darker and darker. After any colour, rinse with water only and wait 24 hours before shampoo or oil; conditioner is fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I cover grey hair without dye?

Any colour that lasts needs a dye of some kind, but you can choose a plant one: henna alone for copper, henna and indigo for brown or black. Each is a single plant ingredient.

Can henna turn grey hair black?

Not on its own. Henna turns grey copper-red. Black comes from the two-step method: henna first, then indigo.

What happens if you put henna on grey hair?

It turns copper-orange straight after rinsing and usually deepens to a richer copper-red over 24–48 hours. On mostly dark hair the greys read as warm highlights.

Should I oil my grey hair after applying indigo?

Not for the first 24 hours. Rinse with water only and leave shampoo and oil for a day while the colour settles. After that, a little of your usual hair oil is fine if your hair likes it.

Is henna better than hair dye for grey hair?

Neither is better for everyone. Plant colour gives copper to black from single plant ingredients, but it can't lighten hair and takes longer. We compare them in our article on whether henna is bad for your hair.

Can henna cover black hair?

It can't lighten black hair, so it shows mainly as shine and a warm glint, while any greys turn copper. Our henna page shows what to expect on each starting colour.

Can I colour my hair with henna on its own?

Yes, for copper to red. Start with our beginner henna method.