Soapberry
Soapberry
–
Sapindus drummondii
Sapindus drummondii
Jaboncillo, Western Soapberry
U.S. and northern Mexico; Arizona to Louisiana and north to Kansas.
25
–
30 feet
25
–
40 feet
Central Texas
Texas
Full Sun
Part Sun/Shade
Low
Deer Resistant
Previous
Next
About This Plant
Sun or partial sun; deciduous, growing up to 30 feet or more in deeper soils. Showy yellow fall color, clusters of persistent fleshy fruit, and attractive greyish bark provide year-round interest. As the name suggests, the fruits form a good lather in water.
Soapberry spreads by rhizomes to form groves, especially on limestone, along fencelines, and at the sunny edges of fields. In south-central Texas, it’s normally found in understory in combination with other small-sized trees.
Maintenance
Pruning is always optional. Focus on minimizing dead, damaged or rubbing branches. Remove no more than 25% of the total canopy during any five-year cycle, and never remove more than the lowest third of the tree in a single pruning period — on a 12-foot tree, stick to the lowest 4 feet.
Features
Plant Type:
Small Tree
Size:
25-30' H, 25-40' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Clay, Thin
Wildlife:
Butterflies, Butterfly Larvae
Flower Color:
Cream
Bloom Time:
May, June
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
Poisonous if ingested.
Coupon Eligible:
No
This plant goes well with
Andropogon gerardii
Rhus virens
Rhus lanceolata
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