Soapwort

[realwildchild]

Has anyone here managed/tried to grow soapwort? Two years running I have tried, first year using some growing roots that were given to me and the second year with seeds....nothing.

This year I plan on having a final go at this, does anyone know where to get seeds from as the place where I last bought them from is no longer there. Also, any ideas what on earth this plant that grows so happily in the wild can possibly be missing out on in my care that makes it so dis-interested in living?

[rhyddid]

[judyofthewoods]

I got my seeds from Chase Organics a few years ago, but not one germinated. Some wild floweres do better on very poor soil, maybe the soil is too good?

[realwildchild]

Hello rhyddid and JudyOTW

The roots were planted out early summer, they were actually growing well when transplanted but once in, they died down and never returned.

The seeds, if I remember correctly, were planted mid spring, into seed compost. Like JudyOTW, from a whole packet of seeds I had none germinate.
Thank you for the links, will order some today and have a final go.

[rhyddid]

[Guest]

Regarding your seeds, many sources suggest that soapwort seeds require a period of cold stratification to break seed dormancy

Have ordered the seeds and as yet they 't arrived, however, was tiding the garden today and came across the four pots that I planted the original seeds in and they all have seedlings looking very similar in appearance. Too small for me to recognise yet but I'm thinking they could have germinated after being out for the winter?

Hope so!

RWC

[realwildchild]

ooops, forgot to log in

RWC

[rhyddid]

[PlayingWithFire]

What sort of quantity of Soapwort do you think is needed - for a couple of people?
Thanks.

[rhyddid]

[PlayingWithFire]

thanks for the link

[Luath]

I would be happy to send out some well-rooted plants from my herb garden - please take them, a lot of them!! They do very well here. What I notice is, though, that once transplanted, they seem to die off, so it's best to put the plants into a pot first, where it will die back and should emerge as good as new in the spring. That is the best way to do it in my experience. It is well-known for being awkward to germinate. Be warned though, it is extremely rampant, and grows by undergroudn stolons. However, it ahs a lovely pink flower whihc is good for cutting. They use soapwort, introduced by the Romans, in place s like the British Museum to wash very old fragile textiles. Godd also for hair washing I believe.

Please have some............

[hay331]

Hi Luath

I have been searching for soapwort in the woods behind the housing estate where I live but no luck so far. I will gladly take some plants from you! Whats the procedure for this? Will I send money for postage or what?

Can they grow in a shady spot?

My daughter (nearly qualified herbalist) is going to try and find out how best to use the plant for hair washing etc, and what kind of amounts.

[leedarkwood]

You can't make soap from soapwort, but if you crush the leaves it makes a mild cleansing solution. Be warned, it is said to be bad for the environment ie fish etc, (it is used as a fish poison in some parts of the world, don't plant near ponds if you want goldfish). Taken internally it can cause liver, kidney, and nerve damage and some people find it is an irritant to the skin, it can also be hell on the eyes if you get it in them. It takes ten stems to a pint of water and you can't store it, I believe it doesn't work very well dried either. It is quite a pretty flower, frankly I would admire it in the garden and use a homemade shampoo bar based on vegetable oils for my hair.

Lee

[hay331]

Thanks for the info. Dont fancy the nipping eyes, the last time I had that was when my Mother used to use Johnsons baby shampoo, it was wicked stuff! There is something called soap plant which I believe is different from soapwort. Do you know anything about this?