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Saponaria officinalis

common soapwort

Caryophyllaceae Europe, western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Saponaria officinalis is a rhizomatous perennial of the pink family native to Europe and western Asia, growing 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall on upright, leafy stems. The smooth, oval leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with three prominent veins, set in opposite pairs. From midsummer into autumn it bears clusters of five-petaled flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, pale pink to white, that are fragrant in the evening and draw moths and long-tongued bees. The flowers are sometimes double in cultivated forms. S. officinalis spreads by creeping rhizomes into broad colonies and self-sows, so it can move well beyond where it is planted. It grows on roadsides, stream banks, railway embankments, and waste ground on most soils, and tolerates drought and poor fertility. The leaves and roots contain saponins, compounds that foam in water and were long used as a gentle soap for washing cloth and skin. Those same saponins make the plant mildly toxic if eaten, and it can irritate skin in sensitive people. It has naturalized widely across North America.

Native Range

Saponaria officinalis is native to Europe and western Asia. It grows on roadsides, riverbanks, embankments, and disturbed ground, and has naturalized across much of North America, often near old homesteads where it was once grown.

Suggested Uses

Saponaria officinalis is grown in cottage gardens, wildflower plantings, and rough banks where its spreading habit is wanted. Its evening fragrance suits plantings near paths and seating. Historically it was grown as a source of mild plant soap for washing delicate textiles.

How to Identify

Look for opposite, three-veined oval leaves on upright stems topped by clusters of pale pink to white five-petaled flowers in late summer. The flowers release a clove-like scent in the evening. Crushed leaves rubbed in water produce a soapy lather.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering runs from midsummer into early autumn, roughly July to September. The pale pink to white flowers open in clusters and are most fragrant in the evening, drawing night-flying moths. Bloom continues over several weeks until frost in mild regions.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale pink to white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Saponaria officinalis in full sun to part shade on almost any well-drained soil; it tolerates drought, poor fertility, and roadside conditions. It spreads aggressively by rhizome and self-seed, so confining the roots or removing seed heads keeps it from overrunning a bed. Cutting plants back after the first bloom tidies the floppy stems and can prompt a second flush. Rich soil and shade make growth lank and increase flopping. The plant is largely free of pests and diseases. Division in spring or autumn both renews and controls the spreading clumps.

Pruning

Cutting the stems back by about half after the first flush of bloom limits flopping and can bring a second flowering. Spent flower heads are removed to reduce self-seeding. Stems are cut to the ground after frost.