Bouncing-bet
Saponaria officinalis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Bouncing-bet (Saponaria officinalis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Bouncing-bet is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Native alternatives to Bouncing-bet
Bouncing-bet is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBouncing-bet is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of pink or white flowers from summer through early fall. This old-fashioned plant spreads to form colonies and tolerates various growing conditions, making it useful for naturalizing areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bouncing-bet takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Spreads aggressively and can become invasive
- May look unkempt as it naturalizes
- Not native to North America despite naturalization
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and night-flying moths throughout the long blooming season. The plant provides nectar for pollinators during summer and fall when other sources may be scarce.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bouncing-bet need?
- Bouncing-bet grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Bouncing-bet bloom?
- Bouncing-bet blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Is Bouncing-bet toxic to livestock?
- Bouncing-bet is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- What pollinators does Bouncing-bet attract?
- Bouncing-bet draws bees, butterflies, and moths.
- Is Bouncing-bet HOA-friendly?
- Bouncing-bet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bouncing-bet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz