Soapwort Seeds

Official Name:Saponaria officinalis 

General Description: Soapwort is an herbaceous perennial related to carnations and native to the temperate areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It grows in the wild in open areas of forests and glens, reaching up to 2 feet high with oval shaped leaves and small, fragrant pink five-petalled flowers that have a light fruity scent..

How to grow: Growing soapwort is easy and the plant makes a good addition to empty beds, woodland edges, or rock gardens. Soapwort seeds can be started indoors in late winter with young transplants set out in the garden after the last frost in spring. Otherwise, they can be sown directly in the garden in spring. Germination takes about three weeks, give or take. Soapwort plants thrive in full sun to light shade and will tolerate nearly any soil type provided that it is well draining. Plants should be spaced at least a foot apart. While it can withstand some neglect, it’s always a good idea to keep the plant watered well during summer, especially in dry conditions. Deadheading can often bring about additional blooming. It’s also necessary to keep soapwort from becoming too invasive, though keeping some blooms intact for self-seeding won’t hurt anything. If desired, you can cut the plant back after blooming. It overwinters easily with a layer of mulch added, especially in cooler regions 

Benefits: Soapwort extract is credited with cleansing properties due to its saponin content. Flavonoids and vitamin C fight dark spots and free radicals that can cause signs of aging. It's also soothing and can relieve itching, so it's often used in skincare formulas that treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema.