Amole
Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–60" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Amole is a perennial native forb with wavy basal leaves and tall flowering stalks that bloom from spring to summer. The white star-shaped flowers open in the evening, giving it the common name 'soap plant' due to its bulb's traditional use as soap. It goes dormant in summer after flowering.
In an HOA neighborhood
Amole is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- Leaves die back and can look unkempt during dormancy
- Tall flower stalks may appear too wild for formal landscapes
- Best integrated within designed native garden beds rather than as standalone specimens
Wildlife value
The evening-blooming flowers attract various nocturnal pollinators including moths, as well as bees and butterflies during daylight hours. The plant provides important food sources for native pollinators.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Amole fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.