The soapwort is not only an eye-catcher in the garden with its delicate pink flowers, the plant is also known as a medicinal herb. It's also easy to plant in your own garden.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) belongs to the carnation family and is a widespread plant in our latitudes. While soapwort was also used as a detergent in the past and is mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine, a form with double inflorescences has become established in our gardens. The soapwort is there a stately appearance, easy to care for and flexible. You can now read about what needs to be considered when planting soap herbs.
Find the right location
Soapwort has a wide distribution range, suggesting it is a hardy and adaptable plant. Common Soapwort is found in Europe, western Asia and Siberia. There the plants grow up to an altitude of about 800 meters.
The adaptability in terms of location can be seen in the occurrence on scree slopes, on river banks or in weed corridors. Barren locations, where nothing has really grown so far, can be populated with soapwort. However, rich flowering is not to be expected, but the plant will most likely not die.
If you want to offer the soapwort optimum growth conditions, choose a sunny location. The location should still not be too dry.
Selecting the ideal substrate
So that the plants develop well and flower profusely, loose and permeable soil is a good prerequisite.
» Tip: Soil that is too dry can be improved with compost and mulch.
The soil can be slightly acidic and slightly calcareous soils are also tolerated.
Planting soapwort - explained step by step
❶ Note planting time
❷ Select location
❸ Dig planting hole
❹ Insert plant
❺ Install root barrier
❻ Planting holeclose
❼ Press the soil well
❽ Water the plant sufficiently
Soapwort can be planted in spring or autumn. Spring is the best time for planting, as the plants can then strengthen sufficiently and grow well until winter. When planting, it is important to note that the plants form long runners and expand accordingly. Soapwort can be stopped in the garden bed by installing a root barrier. Root barriers are embedded in the ground during planting and are made of a special material that will not rot and prevent root expansion.
» Warning: Soapwort must not be planted near fishponds. If the foothills penetrate to the water, toxins are released there, which can lead to consequential damage to the flora and fauna of the garden pond.
Plant soapwort in the bucket
The soapwort is very suitable for planting in containers and can therefore also be cultivated on the balcony and terrace. When choosing the plant pot, it should be taken into account that the plants like to expand and that the underground runners branch out densely. The bucket should therefore be of sufficient size. A humus-rich soil mixed with some sand is suitable as a substrate.
» Tip: Potted plants should be watered regularly and need winter protection.
Variety of varieties for borders and tubs
Soapwort is not only an eye-catcher on its own, the plant offers a particularly attractive picture in the immediate vicinity of monkshood, lavender or foxglove. Group planting of various soapworts is also worthwhile.
Some varieties are now presented in more detail:
Stuffed Soapwort
This variety can grow up to 80 centimeters high. The flowering period extends from June to October. The double white flowers sprout from the pink buds. The double soapwort is particularly popular as a cut flower.
Upholstery Soapwort
The upholstered soapwort only grows about 15 centimeters high. The pink flowers appear particularly dense. The cushion soapwort can be combined very well with the higher-growing soapwort and can also be used as an underplant in the tub.
Soapwort “Bessingham”
This dwarf among the soap herbs only reaches a height of five centimeters. This makes the plant very suitable as a ground cover and can border and limit the borders. The flowers arestrikingly attractive, colored pink with a white throat.
Summer Soapwort
With a growth height of about 40 centimetres, the summer soapwort is quite eye-catching. During the summer months, the pink flowers reminiscent of carnations delight those who see them.
Alpine Soapwort
Here we are dealing with a particularly robust plant representative. The hobby gardener can also use the plant to plant dry stone walls. The yellow flowers make a pretty