Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis).
This plant has several common names including: soapwort, Boston pink, bouncing bett, bouncing bet, bruisewort, chimney pink, common soapwort, crow soap, devil in a bush, farewell to summer, flop top, fuller’s herb, Gill-run-by-the-street, hedge pink, Jill-run-by-the-street, lady by the gate, London pride, mock gilliflower, old maid’s pink, old maid’s slipper, sheepweed, soap plant, soap root, soapwort gentian, sweet Betty, wild sweet William, wood phlox or world’s wonder.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: soapwort, Boston pink, bouncing bett, bouncing bet, bruisewort, chimney pink, common soapwort, crow soap, devil in a bush, farewell to summer, flop top, fuller’s herb, Gill-run-by-the-street, hedge pink, Jill-run-by-the-street, lady by the gate, London pride, mock gilliflower, old maid’s pink, old maid’s slipper, sheepweed, soap plant, soap root, soapwort gentian, sweet Betty, wild sweet William, wood phlox, world’s wonder
Scientific name: Saponaria officinalis
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) – Josep Gesti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
Other types of Saponaria to consider:
See all Saponaria
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, clay or sand.
-
The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
-
Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
-
Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Saponaria officinalis likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
