Pollinator plant

Soapwort

Saponaria officinalis

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

52 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
+11 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (32)
Dutch
  • Gewoon zeepkruid
  • Zeepkruid[2][4]
French
Afrikaans
  • akkerkoeikruid[4]
Belarusian
  • Мыльнік лекавы[4]
Bulgarian
  • Лечебно сапунче[4]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Ljekovita sapunjača[4]
Czech
  • mydlice lékařská[4]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik seebilill[4]
Finnish
  • Rohtosuopayrtti[4]
German
Greek
  • Αγριογλυκόχορτο[4]
  • Καλοστρούθι[4]
  • Σαπουνόχορτο[4]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Στρούθιον[4]
  • Της γάτας το σαπούνι[4]
Hungarian
  • orvosi szappanfű[4]
Italian
Japanese
  • サボンソウ[4]
Korean
Latvian
  • Ārstniecības ziepjusakne[4]
Lithuanian
  • Vaistinis putoklis[4]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Mydlnica lekarska[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Мыльнянка лекарственная[4]
Slovak
  • mydlica lekárska[4]
Slovenian
  • navadna milnica[4]
Spanish
Swedish
  • såpnejlika[4]
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Мильнянка лікарська[4]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Saponaria officinalis — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Soapwort — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Bouncing-bet — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Wild Sweet William — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Saponaria officinalis.
[2] Saponaria officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Soapwort — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Zeepkruid — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaire officinale — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • common soapwort — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Gewöhnliches Seifenkraut — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Bladder Soapwort — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • bouncing bet — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • bouncing-bet — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • China Cockle — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Basil — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Foot — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Herb — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Soapwort — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Glond — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • spring cockle — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaria — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaria — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Erva-saboeira — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Erva-sabão — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Saponaria officinalis ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Gewöhnliches Seifenkraut (DE); Soapwort (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 149483; taxon 6XL6Y.
[4] Saponaria officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Soapwort — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Zeepkruid — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaire officinale — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • common soapwort — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Gewöhnliches Seifenkraut — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Bladder Soapwort — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • bouncing bet — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • bouncing-bet — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • China Cockle — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Basil — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Foot — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Herb — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Cow Soapwort — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Glond — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • spring cockle — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaria — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Saponaria — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Erva-saboeira — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Erva-sabão — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Мыльнянка лекарственная — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • mydlice lékařská — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • såpnejlika — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • サボンソウ — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Vaistinis putoklis — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Sæbeurt — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • harilik seebilill — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Rohtosuopayrtti — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • såpeurt — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Mydlnica lekarska — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Лечебно сапунче — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • mydlica lekárska — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • 肥皂草 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Ljekovita sapunjača — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • sabonera — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Σαπουνόχορτο — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Καλοστρούθι — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Στρούθιον — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Αγριογλυκόχορτο — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Της γάτας το σαπούνι — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Мильнянка лікарська — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Мыльнік лекавы — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • akkerkoeikruid — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • navadna milnica — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Ārstniecības ziepjusakne — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • orvosi szappanfű — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • 비누풀 — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Sabunotu — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • Sebonllys — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
  • 肥皂草 — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 56154; Saponaria officinalis.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Saponaria officinalis is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Caryophyllaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.3–0.76 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.46 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: hummingbirds, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe to Caucasus.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.00 m high × 1.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun, Partial shade

Uses

Functions
Pollinator plant, Ground cover, Fragrant
Edibility
0 out of 5
Medicinal value
0 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Saponaria officinalis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2438601; ID 6XL6Y; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2438601; ID 6XL6Y; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Saponaria officinalis — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Saponaria officinalis — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 217579; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 951103, 951104, 951105, 951106, 951107, 951108, 951109, 951110, 951111, 951112, 951113, 951114, 951115, 951116, 951117, 951118, 951119, 951120, 951121, 951122, 951123, 951124, 951125, 951126, 951127, 951128, 951129, 951131, 951132, 951148, 951149, 951151, 951153, 951154

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.