Saponaria ocymoides

FamilyGenus: Saponarianative in Germany

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Species

interact

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Interactions

documented

About this species

Saponaria ocymoides is a low-growing, broad-leaved herbaceous perennial in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), producing masses of small pink flowers over an exceptionally long season from April to October. It thrives in full sun on dry, nutrient-poor, preferably calcareous soils and is often found in dry grassland and rock garden settings. In Great Britain it is an introduced species that has become established in the wild.

Ecological network

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Pollination

Ecological significance

Saponaria ocymoides is an introduced species established in Great Britain. No ecological impacts are recorded.

Annual cycle

Flowering occurs from April to October, with seeds maturing through summer and autumn. As a herbaceous perennial, the above‑ground growth dies back in late autumn, re‑emerging the following spring.

Safety note

No hazards are recorded for this species.

Standort & Merkmale

Light

Sonne

Moisture

Trocken

Soil

Schwachzehrer (Magerer Boden)

Flowering period

Apr – Okt

Soil reaction

Basisch / Kalkhold

Bioregion

Continental

Growth form

Krautige Pflanze

Woodiness

Nicht verholzt

Leaf type

Breitblättrig

Plant height

0.186 m

Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)

Pflege & Anbau

This sun‑loving plant needs a very well‑drained, low‑fertility soil – ideally slightly alkaline, reflecting the calcareous dry grasslands it favours. Full sun is essential. Once established it tolerates drought and should not be over‑watered. Avoid feeding, as rich soil encourages lax growth and reduces flowering. Suitable for rock gardens, gravel beds, dry stone walls and sunny banks. Cut back after flowering if self‑seeding is not desired.

Scientific profile

Saponaria ocymoides is a herbaceous perennial reaching about 0.19 metres in height. Its leaves are broad and relatively small, with an average leaf area of 42.6 mm². The plant is non‑woody and terrestrial, and it does not form mycorrhizal associations. It shows a strong preference for full sun and dry, infertile soils, particularly on calcareous substrates. Its typical habitats are calcareous dry grasslands and extensive nutrient‑poor meadows; in Great Britain it is an introduced species now established in similar open, dry grassy places. The flowering period extends from April to October, and the tiny diaspores (mass around 2.6 mg) are readily dispersed.

Pollinators & visitors

7 Arten interagieren mit dieser Pflanze

Iphiclides podalirius Hemaris fuciformisPapilio machaonCallophrys rubi Carterocephalus palaemonLasiommata maeraErynnis tages

Sources & data origin

•Interaktionsdaten via GloBI (CC-BY 4.0)

•FloraWeb / BfN

•EIVE 1.0 — Dengler et al. (2023), DOI: 10.3897/VCS.98324 (CC BY 4.0)

•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)

•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)

•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)

•Checklist Alien Plants Belgium — Verloove F (2023), Botanic Garden Meise (CC BY 4.0)

•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)

All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →