Where to buy seeds
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Arkansas Green Lint Cotton is a remarkable heirloom variety of Gossypium hirsutum that produces naturally green-tinted fibers, eliminating the need for artificial dyes. This open-pollinated, non-GMO cotton grows as a bushy annual reaching 60 to 84 inches tall, thriving in full sun across zones 6 to 11 (or zones 8 to 11 without indoor starting). In 130 to 140 days, you'll harvest fiber in a soft, naturally colored green shade, making it a treasure for fiber artists and spinners seeking sustainably colored materials.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
84in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The real draw of Arkansas Green Lint Cotton is its naturally green fibers, a trait that sets it apart in a world of chemically dyed textiles. Crafters and fiber artists prize this variety specifically because the green color is intrinsic to the plant, not applied after harvest. Growing it yourself means complete control over fiber quality and color, from seed to finished yarn, with the satisfaction of producing something genuinely natural and undyed.
Arkansas Green Lint Cotton is grown specifically for fiber production, not for food or ornamental purposes. Crafters harvest and process the mature cotton bolls to extract fiber, which is then hand-spun into yarn or thread for weaving, knitting, or other fiber arts. The naturally green-tinted fiber is particularly valued by spinners and weavers seeking undyed materials and by textile artists interested in natural color palettes. Some growers also appreciate it as an educational plant, demonstrating cotton cultivation and fiber processing to interested gardeners and students.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
In zones 6 and 7, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost to extend the growing season. Sow seeds in warm soil (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer) and keep consistently moist until germination.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before transplanting outdoors. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally closer to 70 degrees. Space transplants 18 inches apart in rows 40 inches wide.
In zones 8 to 11, direct sow seeds outdoors once soil and air temperatures are reliably warm and all frost danger has passed. Sow seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep and thin seedlings to 18 inches apart once they have developed their first true leaves.
Harvest cotton bolls when they have fully matured and split open, typically 130 to 140 days after planting. Once the boll opens, the white fibers inside (which carry the characteristic green tint of this variety) are ready for picking. Gently remove the fiber from the boll by hand, working carefully to avoid the sharp edges of the opened pod. Continue harvesting throughout the season as bolls mature; later-season pickings may be interrupted by frost in cooler zones.
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“Arkansas Green Lint Cotton carries the heritage of American cotton cultivation, particularly in the Arkansas region where it developed its reputation. As an heirloom, open-pollinated variety, it represents decades of seed saving and selection by farmers and fiber enthusiasts who recognized the value of naturally colored cotton. This cultivar survived in cultivation because it met a specific need: gardeners and spinners who wanted to work with undyed fiber and avoid the environmental impact of synthetic dyes. Its preservation reflects a growing movement toward natural, sustainable textiles and a return to heritage fiber crops.”