Soapwort Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Max Frei' Soapwort is a charming flowering perennial known for its dense, low mat-forming habit. It produces a lush green backdrop of ovate leaves which are slightly hairy and have a sticky sensation to the touch, characteristic of the Soapwort family. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and often turns to a beautiful red or purplish color in the fall, adding seasonal interest. The most striking feature of 'Max Frei' Soapwort is its vibrant pink flowers that bloom abundantly in late spring to midsummer. These flowers are small, with five distinct petals that form a shallow cup shape, and they grow in loose clusters at the ends of the stems. The blossoms have a light, pleasing fragrance and are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. 'Max Frei' Soapwort is often used in rock gardens, as a groundcover, or along border fronts where its colorful display can be viewed up close. Its ability to spread and form a dense mat makes it effective at suppressing weeds, while its tolerance of various conditions allows it to flourish in a variety of garden settings. Although the plant's measurement figures are not to be mentioned, it is compact enough to fit into small garden spaces and to be considered for use in a landscape design without overwhelming other plantings.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Max Frei Soapwort, Max Frei Bouncing Bet
- Common names
  Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Soapwort is a plant that can be mildly toxic to humans if ingested. The saponins contained within the plant are natural detergents that can cause irritation to the mucous membranes. When consumed in large quantities, these saponins may lead to symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. It's advisable to keep this plant out of reach of children who might be tempted to eat it.
- To pets
  Similar to its effects on humans, Soapwort can be toxic to pets if ingested. The saponins can irritate the digestive system, and consuming large amounts may result in vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially more severe gastrointestinal upset. It's important to prevent pets from ingesting this plant to avoid these adverse effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot [30 cm]
- Spread
  2 feet [60 cm]
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow: Max Frei Soapwort is known for being hardy and able to thrive in a variety of garden conditions.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it has a good tolerance for dry spells, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers can attract butterflies and other beneficial insects, which are vital for pollination.
- Ground cover: It serves as an effective ground cover, spreading quickly and providing erosion control on slopes.
- Long blooming period: The plant has a long flowering season, which can extend from late spring to early fall.
- Low maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, with no need for regular fertilization or pruning.
- Deer resistant: Max Frei Soapwort is not a favorite of deer, making it an excellent choice for areas where deer are a problem.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Saponaria 'Max Frei' can be used as a gentle soap alternative. The plant contains saponins which, when agitated in water, create a lathering effect similar to soap.
- The extract from Saponaria 'Max Frei' might serve as a natural pest repellent. The saponins have been found to deter certain insect pests when applied to other plants or surfaces.
- These plants can be used in dye-making processes. The flowers and roots may produce subtle colors for natural fabric dying.
- Saponaria 'Max Frei' can be incorporated into compost as a green compost material to enrich the soil with nutrients as it decays.
- Plant fibers from Saponaria 'Max Frei' could potentially be used in the production of handmade paper, giving it a unique texture and appearance.
- The flowering habit of Saponaria 'Max Frei' makes it suitable for creating natural decorative patterns in gardens, especially rockeries and alpine gardens.
- The crushed leaves of Saponaria 'Max Frei' may be used in a water solution to create a temporary adhesive for small crafts or as a natural fixative for art projects.
- When used in floral arrangements, Saponaria 'Max Frei' can add a frothy, soft texture to designs, complementing more structured flowers.
- The plant can play a role in erosion control, its dense growth helping to stabilize soil on slopes and disturbed ground.
- The perennial nature of Saponaria 'Max Frei' allows it to be a living mulch, providing ground cover to help maintain soil moisture and temperature.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The soapwort 'Max Frei' is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The soapwort 'Max Frei' is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Cleansing: Saponaria, commonly known as soapwort, gets its name from its historical use as a cleaning agent, symbolizing purification and the removal of negative energy.
- Protection: In folklore, soapwort was sometimes planted around homes to protect against evil spirits, representing a barrier against harm.
- Resourcefulness: The use of soapwort's sap for cleaning and as a soap substitute signifies resourcefulness and the ability to adapt and make use of available resources.
- Resilience: Soapwort is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions, symbolizing perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity.
- Beauty: With its attractive flowers, soapwort often symbolizes beauty and the appreciation of lovely things in life, reminding us to look for beauty in everyday experiences.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Soapwort 'Max Frei' prefers consistent moisture but is tolerant of drought once established. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water to saturate the soil around the roots. During hot, dry periods, water twice a week to maintain proper soil moisture. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to target the root zone. Cut back on watering in the fall to help harden off the plant for winter.
Light
Soapwort 'Max Frei' thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant is one where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate light shade, particularly in hot afternoon hours. Avoid deep shade as it will lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
Temperature
Soapwort 'Max Frei' is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. Ideally, it grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. However, it can survive minimum winter temperatures down to -30°F and it can withstand summer highs up to 90°F as long as it isn't in constant heat without relief.
Pruning
Soapwort 'Max Frei' should be pruned to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom in late summer or fall. Pruning can also help maintain a compact shape and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. The best time for pruning is immediately after the first flowering period has subsided.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Soapwort 'Max Frei' thrives in well-draining soil mixed with organic matter like compost. A soil pH of slightly alkaline to neutral (around 6.5 to 7.5) is ideal for optimal growth and health.
Repotting
Soapwort 'Max Frei' does not generally require frequent repotting; it should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it becomes root-bound.
Humidity & Misting
Soapwort 'Max Frei' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average outdoor humidity without needing specific adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and regular watering for Soapwort 'Max Frei'.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sun, use well-draining soil, and water moderately for Soapwort 'Max Frei'.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei', commonly known as soapwort, begins its life cycle as a seed which, when sown, will germinate given ideal conditions of moisture and temperature. The seedling, once sprouted, grows rapidly to establish a strong root system and foliage. As a perennial herb, soapwort then enters a vegetative stage where it develops a rosette of leaves at its base, and in the following growing seasons, it produces flowering stalks adorned with small, pink flowers during summer or early fall. After pollination by insects, it sets seed which can be dispersed by wind or animals to create new plants. In the winter, the above-ground parts of the plant may die back, but the root system remains alive, enabling the plant to regrow and repeat its lifecycle in the spring. Soapwort is relatively hardy, capable of surviving in a wide range of conditions, and can be propagated through division of its roots as well as by seed.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei', more commonly known as the Max Frei soapwort, is typically propagated through division. This process is best done in early spring as new growth begins or in the fall once the plant has finished blooming and starts to go dormant. To propagate Max Frei soapwort by division, carefully lift the entire plant from the ground using a garden fork, then gently tease apart the clumps of roots into smaller sections. Each section should have a good amount of roots and several shoots. These divisions can then be immediately replanted in well-preparing soil, spaced about 12 inches (or roughly 30 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method of propagation is not only popular due to its simplicity but also because it helps maintain the vigor of the plant by rejuvenating crowded clumps.