There are several plants that you can use as soap, and each one offers natural cleansing benefits without chemicals. These plants contain compounds called saponins, which create a mild lather when mixed with water.
For centuries, people have used them to clean, heal, and even wash clothes.
If you want a safe, eco-friendly way to replace some store-bought products, these soap plants are worth trying. They don’t just cleanse, but also add beauty to your garden with colorful flowers or unique foliage.
You can crush, boil, or soak different parts of these plants to create your own natural soap solution. Here are 6 amazing plants you can use as soap.
#1 Clematis
Clematis is a climbing plant that graces any garden with its stunning flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. Beyond its ornamental value, the flowers and leaves contain a high level of saponins.
To make soap, collect a handful of fresh leaves and petals, crush them, and boil them in water. The mixture creates a gentle foamy solution you can use for cleaning.
Place Clematis near fences or trellises for beauty, then enjoy its practical benefits too.
#2 Soapweed Yucca
Soapweed Yucca is known for its pale green, dagger-like leaves and tall clusters of white blooms. The roots are rich in saponins, making them a traditional source for natural soap and shampoo.
Simply dig up a root, crush it, and mix it with water to create a thick, bubbly lather. Many Native American tribes used yucca roots for bathing and laundry. It thrives in dry, sunny areas, so you’ll also find it easy to maintain in the garden.
#3 Horse Chestnut
Horse Chestnut trees are admired for their beautiful spring flowers and shiny brown seeds. These seeds contain saponins that work as a natural soap substitute.
You can rub fresh seeds between your palms with water to create lather, or crush them and soak overnight for a milky detergent-like solution.
This method has been used for centuries to clean fabrics and skin. Planting a Horse Chestnut not only provides shade but also gives you a renewable source of natural soap.
#4 Soapwort
Soapwort is one of the best-known soap plants, often used historically for washing delicate fabrics. The leaves and roots release soapy juices when rubbed or boiled in water.
Simply cut fresh stems, crush them lightly, and simmer in water to make a mild green solution. It’s gentle enough to clean wool or silk without damage.
Soapwort grows easily in sunny borders and produces small pink flowers that attract pollinators while serving as your natural soap supply.
#5 Soap Plant
Also called wavyleaf soap or soap root, this California native has long been used for cleansing. The plant’s fibrous bulbs contain a white core packed with saponins.
Crush the bulbs with a bit of water to produce a foamy soap that works for both skin and hair. Locals even used its fibers to make brushes for applying the lather.
The leaves are edible when cooked, so this plant provides both nourishment and natural hygiene.
#6 Buffaloberry
Buffaloberry is a hardy shrub that produces bright red berries rich in saponins. Boil the berries and stems in water to create a mild, soapy solution.
Traditionally, people used the frothy liquid for washing and sometimes even as a natural shampoo. Buffaloberry also provides food for birds, making it a useful addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
Its silvery foliage and clusters of red fruit add color to the landscape while offering a practical benefit.