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Rock Soapwort
ExplorePlants
Rock Soapwort
Saponaria ocymoides
Rock Soapwort is a pretty plant with pink flowers that grows in rocky places. Its leaves are soft and can be used to make soap, which is how it got its name!
Habitat: Rocky areas
Appearance
The Rock Soapwort is a low-growing perennial that forms a dense mat of oval to lance-shaped green leaves. It boasts a profusion of small, five-petaled, bright pink to rosy-red flowers, often with a white eye, creating a vibrant, spreading carpet.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSaponaria
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Romans might have used its sudsy leaves for cleaning!
Butterflies flock to its vibrant pink flowers for a sweet nectar treat!
Its scientific name, Saponaria, literally means 'soap plant'!
This tough little plant thrives on rocky cliffs and stony hillsides!
Special abilities
Ability
Foamy Cleanser
Rock Soapwort can produce foamy suds from its leaves, thanks to natural chemicals called saponins, which helped early people make soap.
Ability
Rocky Resistor
Rock Soapwort has a tough root system that anchors it securely in rocky, poor soils, helping it survive harsh, dry conditions.
Ability
Ground Hugger
Rock Soapwort grows in a dense, spreading mat that helps suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion on slopes or rocky outcrops.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-25 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to mid-summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from its flowers
pollinates
Small White butterfly
Pieris rapae
visits flowers for nectar, aiding plant reproduction
eaten by
Spanish slug
Arion lusitanicus
slugs may occasionally feed on its foliage
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Rock Soapwort?
10-25 cm
How wide does Rock Soapwort spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Rock Soapwort?
1-2 cm
When does Rock Soapwort bloom?
Late spring to mid-summer
Is Rock Soapwort edible?
No
Is Rock Soapwort toxic?
Mild
What is Rock Soapwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Rock Soapwort pollinated?
Insect
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