How to Grow and Care for Soap plants

Chlorogalum pomeridianum, commonly called wavy-leaf soap plant is a perennial herb that was used by Native Americans. The bulbs were crushed and turned into either glue or a soap that could be used to clean clothes (thus the name). The root also acts as a poison to freshwater fish. The species boasts beautifully delicate, white-petaled flowers that usually wait until the afternoon or evening to bloom.

Chlorogalum parviflorum is a perennial wildflower, growing from a dark-coated bulb several centimeters wide. The basal leaves have wavy edges. The inflorescence may reach 90 cm tall, and is made up of many dark-veined white or pinkish flowers.

Camatta canyon amole sports striking purple flowers that rise from grass-like, basal green leaves. This perennial favors the rocky soils of its native Californian landscapes. Adapting to a Mediterranean climate, camatta canyon amole blooms in the late spring and summer, its coloration a vibrant beacon amidst the arid terrain. The plant's slender, bulb-based stems exude a simplistic elegance, characteristic of the wild onion family to which it belongs.

Narrowleaf soap plant is a perennial herb known for its soap-like bulb, slender leaves, and tall flowering stalks. During spring, it blooms with small, star-shaped white flowers that have a green stripe on the back of the petals. Adapting to its native California grasslands, narrowleaf soap plant thrives in well-drained soils and full sun exposure, going dormant in the summer to survive dry conditions.

Wavyleaf soap plant is a perennial herb distinguished by its long, narrow leaves and tall flowering stalks. The cream-colored blossoms, marked with a central green stripe, cluster atop the stalks and tend to open in the late afternoon. Wavyleaf soap plant thrives in open, sunny habitats, with its bulbs adapted to survive summer droughts, leveraging the moist winters of its native range for growth.