Saponaria officinalis
Soapwort, Bouncingbet
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, harvest period and uses of Saponaria officinalis.
General Information
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun, Partial shade
Usage properties
-
Bee forage, Ground cover, Fragrant
Description
A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant (especially the root) in water. It is a mild, effective cleaner, mainly used on delicate fabrics that may be damaged by modern synthetic soaps (it has been used to clean the Bayeux tapestry). It gives a shine to the fabric. The best soap is obtained by steeping the plant in warm water. The roots can be dried and stored for later use. The plant is sometimes recommended as a shampoo for hair, although it can cause irritation to the eyes. The plant spreads vigorously and can be used as ground cover when planted about 1 meter apart.