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Soap Plant

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

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Overview

The Soap Plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, native to California, offers slender, grass-like leaves up to 3 feet long. In summer, it produces a striking 3-4 foot stalk with small, white, lily-like flowers that open in the afternoon. Adapted to dry climates, it thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, its bulbs were historically used by indigenous people as soap.

Sun Full, HalfWater Very LowZones 6–10Type Bulb, PerennialClimate Mediterranean

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — grass-like leaves up to 3 feet long

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Very Low
USDA zones: 6–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Bulb, Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Climate: Mediterranean

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Photos (58)

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — basal leaves that can measure up to 3 feet in length and around 0.5-1 inch width

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — grass-like leaves up to 3 feet long; drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, its bulbs were historically used by

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — which when crushed and mixed with water produce a soap-like lather; the Soap Plant is an excellent conversation piece

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — which intriguingly only open in the late afternoon and evening

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — The leaves showcase a spectacular adaptation; they contain saponins

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — lily-like flowers that open in the afternoon

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — which intriguingly only open in the late afternoon and evening; the Soap Plant is an excellent conversation piece and a

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, its bulbs were historically used by indigenous people as soap, image 25

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — bulb / perennial for full or half

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — is a perennial herb indigenous to the western regions of North America; the Soap Plant is an excellent conversation

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — From late spring to early summer, it sends up striking flower stalks that can reach heights of up to 4 feet, image 34

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — star-shaped white to pale lavender flowers

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — particularly in California; drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, its bulbs were historically used by indigenous people

Soap Plant (Chlorogalum Pomeridianum) — white flowers in the garden

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Chlorogalum Pomeridianum

Photographs by 9 contributors

(c) Millie Basden, CC BY 4.0 · source
Michael Berardozzi, CC BY 4.0 · source
oliveoligarchy from California, United States, CC BY 2.0 · source
Mahomed Desai, CC BY 4.0 · source
tomhilton, CC BY 2.0 · source
Yelouassi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Afimaame, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Don Loarie, CC BY 4.0 · source

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