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i wondered if any of you have grown soapwort? if so was germination good, was it productive and did you use it for soap? thanks in advance for any replies.

I grow soapwort. It's a prolific spreader - we learned our lesson and now grow it in an area where it can spread as much as it likes. Very easy to grow and lovely pink flowers.

I've not used it yet though, I read somewhere about it being quite irritant or having allergens. Can't remember exactly, but it put me off a bit.

I used to live in a cottage with soapwort in the garden - otherwise known as Bouncing Bet. We used it quite a lot - as Green Aura says, it's a prolific spreader. We found that it wasn't really powerful enough to be used for washing up, but it was an excellent shampoo. I believe the National Trust use it to wash delicate historic items.

Green Aura wrote: I've not used it yet though, I read somewhere about it being quite irritant or having allergens. Can't remember exactly, but it put me off a bit.

I use bought soap nuts (soapwort seed pods) for washing clothes. I have very sensitive skin and am allergic to most washing powders but I don't have any problems wearing anything washed with the soap nuts.

Zoe