Did you know there’s a perennial plant called soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) that actually got its name from the fact that it can be made into soap? Also known as bouncing Bet (which was once a nickname for a washerwoman), this interesting herb is easy to grow in the garden.
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Saponaria officinalis is a common perennial plant from the family Caryophyllaceae. This plant has many common names, including common soapwort, bouncing-bet, crow soap, wild sweet William, and soapweed. There are about 20 species of soapworts altogether.
The scientific name Saponaria is derived from the Latin sapo (stem sapon-) meaning “soap”, which, like its common name, refers to its utility in cleaning. From this same Latin word is derived the name of the toxic substance saponin, contained in the roots at levels up to 20 percent when the plant is flowering (Indian soap nuts contain only 15 percent).
Saponaria officinalis native range extends throughout Europe, and in Asia to western Siberia. It grows in cool places at low or moderate elevations under hedgerows and along the shoulders of roadways. It can be found as a horticultural escape and noxious invasive in much of North America.
The plant possesses leafy, unbranched stems (often tinged with red). It grows in patches, attaining a height of 70 cm (28 in). The broad, lanceolate, sessile leaves are opposite and between 4 and 12 cm long. Its sweetly scented flowers are radially symmetrical and pink, or sometimes white. Each of the five flat petals have two small scales in the throat of the corolla. They are about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. They are arranged in dense, terminal clusters on the main stem and its branches. The long tubular calyx has five pointed red teeth.
The individual flowers open in the evening, and stay open for about three days. They produce a stronger scent at night and supplement nectar production during the night. The flowers are protandrous: on the second night of blooming, the pollen is released, and the stigma develops to its final position by the third night. Much of the seed production comes from self-pollination. The flowers are visited by various insects including Noctuidae, Sphingidae, bumblebees, and hoverflies.
In the Northern Hemisphere Saponaria officinalis blooms from May to September, and in the Southern Hemisphere October to March.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Bouncing-bet prefers full sun. It can tolerate partial shade but will still need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight. However, the foliage may not be as full when grown in partial shade, and there will also be fewer blooms.
Temperature
Bouncing-bet is a hardy perennial that will tolerate relatively poor soil, as long as it is well-drained. It will tolerate drought conditions too but flowers best with consistent water. Bouncing-bet can survive in cold climates with as few as 120 frost-free days and winter temperatures as cold as -34 ℃. It also tolerates hot climates and long summers.
Watering
Bouncing-bet benefits from consistent watering but will tolerate some drought. For maximum flowering, you should water about once per week in the summer, or as needed to keep the soil moist.
Soil
Bouncing-bet is easy to please and will tolerate most soil types that are well-drained. It’s popular for rock gardens because it tolerates poor, sandy soil well. In fertile soil, bouncing-bet spreads quickly. It prefers soil with a pH that’s neutral to alkaline, between 5 and 7.
Fertilizing
Bouncing-bet should be fertilized sparingly as too much can actually damage the plant. In optimum conditions, bouncing-bet should be fine for several years without any fertilizer. If your garden has poor soil, you can lightly fertilize once per year in the spring. Use an all-purpose fertilizer, like one with a 12-12-12 N-P-K ratio.
Planting Instructions
Bouncing-bet can be started from seed or transplants. The best way to start bouncing-bet from seed is to direct sow by sprinkling the seeds over the soil and lightly raking them in. Lightly water in the seeds and keep the soil damp while they’re germinating. You can also start seeds indoors in small pots about 6 weeks before your last expected frost.
Transplant purchased plants or those you started from seed only once you’re sure that there will be no more frosts. If your soil is poor, add a scoop of compost to each transplant hole. Keep the soil moist as your bouncing-bet gets established during the first few weeks.
Pruning
Deadheading flowers can encourage your bouncing-bet to continue blooming. However, it’s not necessary, and letting blooms go will allow the plant to produce seed if you want it to spread faster.
Propagation
Once you have a patch of bouncing-bet growing, you can divide it if you want to start a new patch. In the spring or fall, take a sharp shovel and slice off a small section of the plant, including the roots and foliage. Try to avoid damaging the roots as much as possible and replant immediately.
Transplanting
Transplant bouncing-bet ideally during the warm months from late spring to late summer, as this encourages strong root establishment. Choose a sunny, well-draining location for optimal growth. If needed, water regularly and provide proper ventilation to avoid overcrowding.
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
- Ornamental uses
Bouncing-bet is a popular perennial prized for its profuse flowers and prominent parallel-veined leaves that contrast with other plants in the garden. It is an essential plant in flower gardens. Plant it with phlox, dianthus, coneflowers, and sunflowers to add color and texture.
- Culinary uses
An overdose can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Despite its toxic potential, Saponaria officinalis finds culinary use as an emulsifier in the commercial preparation of tahini and in brewing to create beer with a good head. In the Middle East, the root is often used as an additive in the process of making halva. The plant is used to stabilize the oils in the mixture and to create the distinctive texture of halva.
- Other uses
As its common name implies, it can be used as a very gentle soap, usually in a dilute solution. It has historically been used to clean delicate or unique textiles, especially woollen fabrics; it has been hypothesized that the plant was used to treat the Shroud of Turin.
A lathery liquid that has the ability to dissolve fats or grease can be procured by boiling the leaves or roots in water. Leaves are chopped, boiled, and strained; the liquid can then be used as soap.
In the Romanian village of Șieu-Odorhei, natives call the plant săpunele. It is traditionally used by the villagers as a soap replacement for dry skin.
