Plant Details

Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort, Bouncingbet

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, harvest period and uses of Saponaria officinalis.

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General Information

Scientific name: Saponaria officinalis
Also known as: Soapwort, Bouncingbet

Plant Properties

Layer: Herbaceous
Size: Small
Height: 1.00 m
Width: 1.00 m
Growth Rate: Moderate
Leaf: Deciduous

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-8
Soil Moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial shade

Usage properties

Edible part:
-
Edibility:
(0)
Medicinal:
(0)
Features:
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.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/07
End of Harvest: 30/09