Also known as Bouncing Bet · Bouncing-Bett · Bouncingbet Soapweed
Common soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a perennial herb with clusters of pink flowers, historically used as a natural soap due to its saponin content.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Loam, Sandy, Clay
50% intensity
Hardy
25% intensity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures; hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
Low
25% intensity
Requires minimal feeding; a light balanced fertilizer in spring is adequate.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot. Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.
A good indicator is when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding, which can sometimes be prolific. In late autumn or early spring, cut back the old foliage to the ground.
This promotes new, healthy growth and tidies up the plant's appearance.
Easily propagated by division of clumps in spring or autumn. Seeds can also be sown directly outdoors in spring after the last frost or started indoors a few weeks earlier.
Cuttings taken in late spring or early summer can also root successfully.
Established plants generally do not require frequent repotting and prefer to be slightly pot-bound. If grown in containers, repot every 2-3 years in spring.
Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering issues and ensure good drainage.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Common Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Where Common Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus | Saponaria |
| Species | Saponaria officinalis |
Similar in genus Saponaria
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
