Narrowleaf Soap Plant

Chlorogalum angustifolium

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asparagaceae
Genus:
Chlorogalum
Species:
Chlorogalum angustifolium
USDA Symbol:
CHAN2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Bulb resprouts vigorously after fire; adapted to California's fire-prone chaparral and grassland ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to rocky slopes and open woodlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate best with cold stratification; may show erratic germination over several weeks.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: Seed may be rapidly collected by stripping fruit capsules when capsules split open. Seed can be rapidly cleaned with a seed or soil sieve and/or blowing off chaff. General distribution is California to southern Oregon. Heavy soils of grasslands or woodlands below 500 meters.

Source: npn.rngr.net