Saponaria officinalis

Saponaria officinalis or Soapwort has a long list of names it is commonly called which I will include at the bottom of this page. It’s Latin name also is derived from ‘Sapo’ or Soap, which refers to saponin found in the roots which is a toxic substance but produce lather when mixed with water. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Western Siberia. It can also be found in North America.

Saponaria officinalis is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial. The flowers fragrant which appear in the summer. Plant Saponaria officinalis in the sun in moderately fertile and well-drained soil.

Saponaria officinalis grows to be 70cm or 2.5ft. It has opposite leaves on the stems which are unbranched. It produces pink shades of flowers that open in the evening and have had a life of three days. They are fragrant and more scented at night. They release pollen on the second night and stigma develops to its final position on the third night. Propagate by seed or division. No pruning necessary. Watch out for slugs and snails otherwise, it is disease-free.

This plant has been used as a mild soap especially for gentle fabrics like wool. To produce the detergent or the soap you can boil the root and the leaves and then strain it. It could be toxic if digested, however, it is used as an emulsifier for making tahini and in the middle east also for making halva.

Following are variety of common names associated with Saponaria officinalis:

Boston pink
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 
Soap Weed
Soapwort Gentian 
Sweet Betty 
Wild Sweet William 
Wood Phlox 
World’s Wonder