How invasive is soapwort?
Although some butterflies and moths visit, soapwort’s flowers aren’t very attractive to insects. Mammals tend not to eat the foliage because of the toxic saponins in the sap. This plant is weedy, even invasive in some areas. Where it outcompetes valuable native plants, soapwort is a problem. Soapwart (Saponaria officinalis) contains saponins, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. While not typically fatal, consuming parts of the plant might cause gastrointestinal upset. Handling the plant usually isn’t a problem, but it’s best to wash your hands afterward.
Does soapwort spread?
Plant Description: A low-growing semi-evergreen groundcover, soapwort makes a carpet of pink flowers over green foliage. It is very vigorous and will spread both by rhizomes and seeds, so put it in a place that it has room to stretch. Soapwort is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. Soapwort is particularly problematic in some parts of the United States and Canada where it can aggressively colonize and form dense stands, especially in disturbed habitats like roadsides, pastures, and along waterways.