15 Plants You Can Turn Into Natural Soap

If you’ve spent any time homesteading, you’ve probably tried your hand at making soap the old-fashioned way, maybe using olive or coconut oil. Or perhaps you’ve even gone the pioneer route with fat and ashes. But let’s face it: sometimes, we just don’t have time for that. What if you need soap *right now* and there’s none around?

This is why it’s smart to keep a few plants in your garden that you can turn into soap. Many are easy to care for, and in most cases, all you need is a bit of water and some leaves. Then, boom, you’ve got your own natural soap in minutes.

But what makes these plants special? Why do most plants make your hands dirtier, while these plants get them clean? The answer lies in one simple word: saponins.

What Are Saponins?

Saponins are natural chemicals found in many plants that work as surfactants. This means they reduce surface tension between water and dirt, making it easy to wash away grease and grime. In other words, they make soap! When you mix the right plant parts—like leaves, roots, or berries—with water, these saponins are released, forming a soapy substance that’s just as effective as store-bought soap.

Not all plants have the same amount of saponins, though. Below, I’ll introduce you to 15 plants rich in saponins and show you how to turn each one into soap.

Bracken (Pteridium Aquilinum)

Bracken is a fern that grows across the globe. You’ll find it thriving in woodlands, quickly forming dense patches. It’s known for its rapid growth and resilience, often taking over entire landscapes.

Historically, bracken has been used for livestock bedding, insulation, and—you guessed it—soap! Just don’t eat it, as it can be toxic and carcinogenic if ingested. But for washing? It works just fine.

How To Turn Bracken Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Find the rhizomes (horizontal underground stems, not roots). These are what you’ll need.
2. Preparation: Rinse the rhizomes thoroughly, then chop them into small pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Put the chopped rhizomes into a pot and cover them with about an inch of water. Simmer gently for about 30 minutes, then let it cool.
4. Use: Once cool, stir the mixture to create a lather, and use the soapy water to wash your hands or other items.

Buffaloberry (Shepherdia Argentea)

This tough little shrub is native to North America, especially the Great Plains. Its silver-green leaves and bright red or orange berries are easy to spot. Buffaloberry is also incredibly drought-resistant, making it perfect for dry climates.

The berries are tart but loaded with nutrients. While birds and wildlife snack on them, they’re also fantastic for soap-making because of their high saponin content.

How To Turn Buffaloberries Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Collect the berries after the first frost when they’re ripe and full of saponins.
2. Preparation: Rinse the berries, then crush them slightly to release the saponins.
3. Making the Soap: Add just enough warm water to cover the berries and stir to create a lather.
4. Use: Use the soapy lather to wash your hands or other items.

Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita Foetidissima)

This sprawling plant, native to the central and southwestern U.S., is easy to recognize thanks to its small, round gourds and vine-like growth. It’s called “foetidissima” because of its awful smell, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to make soap from it—your soap might stink too!

On the plus side, buffalo gourd is drought-resistant and thrives in tough environments.

How To Turn Buffalo Gourd Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Carefully dig up a few pounds of the roots without damaging the plant’s central root system.
2. Preparation: Rinse and chop the roots into small pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped roots in 1-2 inches of water for 30 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain out the root pieces, and use the remaining liquid as soap. Stir to lather, and it’s ready to go.

Century Plant (Agave Americana)

The Century Plant, a massive succulent from Mexico and the southern U.S., has spiky leaves that can grow several feet long. It’s called the Century Plant because it takes decades to bloom (though not quite 100 years).

All parts of the plant are rich in saponins, but the roots are where you’ll find the most.

How To Turn Century Plant Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Carefully dig up a piece of the root.
2. Preparation: Clean and chop the root into small pieces, then soak them in warm water.
3. Mash and Stir: After soaking, mash the roots and stir to create a lather.
4. Use: Use the soapy water for washing hands or small garments. Rinse well.

Fremont’s Silktassel (Garrya Fremontii)

Native to the western U.S., Fremont’s Silktassel is a drought-resistant shrub named after explorer John C. Fremont. It’s easy to identify by its long, tassel-like catkins and leather-like green to silvery leaves.

It’s a great landscaping plant and, best of all, its leaves are packed with saponins.

How To Turn Fremont’s Silktassel Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Pick a handful of leaves during the growing season.
2. Preparation: Rinse and chop the leaves to increase surface area.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the leaves in water for 30 minutes, then let it cool.
4. Use: Strain the leaves out, and use the soapy liquid for cleaning.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

The Horse Chestnut tree, originally from the Balkan region, is now common in many temperate areas around the world. You’ll recognize it by its large, hand-shaped leaves and distinctive spiny seed pods that contain the glossy brown chestnuts.

Although the seeds are toxic if ingested, they are packed with saponins, which makes them perfect for natural soap-making.

How To Turn Horse Chestnut Into Soap

1. Harvesting: In the fall, gather about 10-15 horse chestnuts from the ground.
2. Preparation: Rinse the seeds well, then chop them into quarters.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped chestnuts in 2 inches of water for 30 minutes, then let the mixture cool down.
4. Use: Strain out the solid bits, stir up the liquid for a lather, and you’ve got your soap ready to use.

Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Ivy is a fast-growing vine popular for covering walls and trees. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it’s now found in many parts of the world. Although it looks beautiful, ivy can be quite invasive, so be mindful of keeping it under control in your garden.

Thankfully, its leaves are high in saponins, which makes it a great option for natural soap.

How To Turn Ivy Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Collect a generous handful of ivy leaves.
2. Preparation: Wash the leaves well, then chop them into smaller pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the leaves in 2-3 inches of water for about 30 minutes, then allow the mixture to cool.
4. Use: Strain out the leaves, stir the liquid to create a lather, and use it for washing your hands, surfaces, or even fabrics.

New Jersey Tea / Wild Snowball (Ceanothus americanus)

New Jersey Tea is a small shrub native to North America. It produces beautiful clusters of tiny white flowers that attract pollinators, making it a great addition to any garden. Interestingly, during the American Revolution, people used its leaves as a tea substitute, giving the plant its name.

The roots of New Jersey Tea are rich in saponins, which is what we’re after for soap-making.

How To Turn New Jersey Tea Into Soap

1. Harvesting: In the fall, dig up about 2-4 pounds of roots.
2. Preparation: Wash the roots well and chop them into small pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped roots in a few inches of water for 30 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain the roots out and stir the liquid. You can use this natural soap for washing your hands, dishes, or even laundry.

Old Man’s Beard / Traveler’s Joy (Clematis vitalba)

This vine, with its fluffy seed heads that resemble an old man’s beard, is native to Europe but has spread to other parts of the world. While its fast growth makes it a great ornamental plant, it can also be quite invasive. However, its leaves and stems are full of saponins.

How To Turn Old Man’s Beard Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Gather stems and leaves during the spring or early summer when the plant is most lush.
2. Preparation: Rinse the plant material and chop it into smaller pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped leaves and stems in water for 30 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain out the solids and use the soapy liquid for cleaning hands, surfaces, or even laundry.

Shadscale / Spiny Saltbush (Atriplex confertifolia)

Shadscale is a hardy shrub found in the arid regions of the western U.S. It can survive extreme drought and thrives in salty soil, making it an important plant in dry landscapes. Its gray-green leaves and spiny branches are a common sight in deserts, and these leaves are also packed with saponins.

How To Turn Shadscale Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Gather the leaves and smaller branches during the spring or after rainfall when the plant is lush.
2. Preparation: Wear gloves while handling, as the plant can be spiny. Wash the leaves and chop them up.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped leaves and branches in water for 30-60 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain out the plant material, stir the liquid for a lather, and use the soap for cleaning.

Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi)

The Soapberry tree, native to South Asia, is prized for its fruit, which are called soapberries or soapnuts. These berries have been used for centuries as a natural soap substitute because they’re loaded with saponins. You’ll find soapnuts in eco-friendly laundry products for good reason—they’re gentle yet effective.

How To Turn Soapberries Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Collect the soapberries in late autumn when they turn yellow-brown and have a leathery texture.
2. Preparation: Rinse the berries, split them open to remove the seeds, and chop the husks.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the husks in water for about 30-45 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain out the husks and use the soapy liquid to wash clothes, dishes, or hands.

Soaproot (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

Soaproot, also known as Amole, is a wild herb native to California and the western U.S. The plant’s long, wavy leaves and tall flower stalks make it easy to identify, but its large fibrous bulb is where the soap-making magic happens. Indigenous peoples have used this bulb as a soap for centuries.

How To Turn Soaproot Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Dig up the bulb in late fall or early winter after the plant has died back.
2. Preparation: Clean the bulb and chop it finely.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped bulb in water for 30-40 minutes until it forms a sudsy mixture. Let it cool.
4. Use: Strain out the fibers and use the soapy water for washing hands, bathing, or laundry.

Soapweed Yucca (Yucca glauca)

Soapweed Yucca is a tough perennial found in the central and western U.S. Its sharp, spiky leaves and tall, white flower stalks make it stand out in the landscape. The roots of the Soapweed Yucca are packed with saponins, making it a great natural soap source.

How To Turn Soapweed Yucca Into Soap

1. Harvesting: In late fall, carefully dig up the woody roots of the plant.
2. Preparation: Rinse the roots and chop them into smaller pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped roots in water for about 30-45 minutes, then let the mixture cool.
4. Use: Strain out the roots, stir the liquid to lather, and use it to clean your hands, body, or laundry.

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Soapwort, also known as bouncing bet, is a perennial with beautiful pink or white flowers. Native to Europe and Asia, it has spread across North America and thrives in poor soils. The roots contain the most saponins, but the stems and leaves can be used for a milder soap.

How To Turn Soapwort Into Soap

1. Harvesting: Harvest the roots in early spring or late fall when saponin levels are highest.
2. Preparation: Wash and chop the roots (you can include leaves and stems for a milder soap).
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the roots (and leaves if using) in water for 30-40 minutes, then let it cool.
4. Use: Strain out the plant material and use the soapy liquid for washing your skin, hair, or delicate fabrics.

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Wild Yam, also known as colic root or devil’s bones, is a perennial vine native to North America. It has twining, heart-shaped leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. The root is rich in saponins, making it perfect for natural soap.

How To Turn Wild Yam Into Soap

1. Harvesting: In late autumn, dig up the tuberous roots carefully to avoid damaging the plant.
2. Preparation: Wash the roots well and chop them into small pieces.
3. Making the Soap: Simmer the chopped roots in water for about 30-45 minutes, then let it cool.
4. Use: Strain out the root pieces and use the soapy liquid to wash hands, surfaces, or even for bathing sensitive skin.