Western Soapberry
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Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii
Also known as Western Soapberry, Soapberry, Wild China Tree, Wild Chinaberry, Indian Soap Plant, Jaboncillo
Sapindus drummondii, commonly called western soapberry, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with an open-rounded crown. It grows to 20-50' tall and features glossy compound medium green leaves, grape-like yellow-orange fruits (ornamentally attractive but toxic if ingested), deep yellow fall foliage color, and gray bark divided into scaly plates. It is native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.
Yellowish-white flowers bloom in late spring (May-June) in large open panicles to 10" long. Flowers are followed by yellow-orange grape-like fruits (usually one-seeded) that mature in September-October. Scaly trunks and often persistent fruit that eventually turn black provide winter interest.
Although toxic and inedible, the fruits (containing saponin) produce a soapy lather when mashed. Native Americans made soap from the fruit.
Height: 20'-50'
Spread: 20'-50'
Bloom: May-June
Light: Full sun, Part Shade
Water: Low-Medium
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: southern U.S., northern Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
