bouncing Bet

plant

Also known as: Common soapwort, Saponaria officinalis

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Bouncing Bet, also known as soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), is a perennial herb native to Eurasia that has naturalized widely in North America. It belongs to the pink family, Caryophyllaceae.12

This plant typically grows up to 1 meter (3 feet) tall and features simple, oval or tapering leaves and stems that can be waxy or hairy. Its flowers are typically white to pink, pale purple, or red. The roots of bouncing Bet have been used medicinally, and its sap can be used as a substitute for soap. It is also cultivated for its attractive flowers, with varieties like rock soapwort (S. ocymoides) and pygmy pink (S. pumilio) being notable examples.1

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soapwort
Major species
Common soapwort, or bouncing Bet (S. officinalis), reaching a height of 1 metre (3 feet), is widely naturalized in eastern North America. Its roots have been used medicinally, and its sap is a substitute for soap.
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Common soapwort, or bouncing Bet (S. officinalis), reaching a height of 1 metre (3 feet), is widely naturalized in eastern North America. Its roots have been used medicinally, and its sap is a substitute for soap.
Read More