Pronounced (approximate): sap-oh-NAIR-ee-ah oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lis
White to pale-pink flowers sit above long tubular calyces. Opposite leaves show three strong lengthwise veins.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Caryophyllaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms July – September
Height 12 to 30 inches
Habitat part shade, sun; disturbed soil; roadsides, ditches, fields, edges of streams, woodland edges
Common names: Soapwort · Bouncing Bet
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
part shade, sun; disturbed soil; roadsides, ditches, fields, edges of streams, woodland edges. Flowering season: July – September.
Some garden escapes have doubled flowers. Compare the leaf veins and tubular calyx with campions and phlox.
White to pale-pink flowers sit above long tubular calyces.
Opposite leaves show three strong lengthwise veins.
Upright leafy stems form spreading patches. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
14 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Europe.
Reported U.S. distribution
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Soapwort in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.