diff --git a/brainglobe_heatmap/heatmaps.py b/brainglobe_heatmap/heatmaps.py
index 088bc8a..318b452 100644
--- a/brainglobe_heatmap/heatmaps.py
+++ b/brainglobe_heatmap/heatmaps.py
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def prepare_colors(
             r: list(map_color(v, name=cmap, vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax))
             for r, v in values.items()
         }
-        self.colors["root"] = grey_darker
+        self.colors["root"] = settings.ROOT_COLOR
 
     def show(self, **kwargs) -> Union[Scene, plt.Figure]:
         """