Sapindus Marginatus, Soap Nut - 0.5 kg Seeds

The Soap Nut or Reetha tree (Sapindus marginatus) is a medium to large deciduous tree bearing rounded, fleshy fruits whose skins are rich in natural saponins. When agitated in water the fruit lathers freely, serving as a gentle, biodegradable soap and shampoo.

Grown across the plains and lower hills of India, the tree is valued chiefly for these soap-nuts, used for washing hair, woollens and jewellery and in herbal cosmetics and medicine; the species also makes a good shade and avenue tree, and the seeds yield oil. It is hardy, undemanding and well suited to agroforestry and homestead planting.

• Family: Sapindaceae
• Native region: tropical Asia / India
• Mature height: 12-20 m
• Growth rate: moderate

The round black seeds are very hard-coated. Scarify by filing or nicking the coat, or pour hot water over the seeds and let them soak for 24-48 hours until they swell. Sow about 2-3 cm deep in polybags of sandy soil kept warm and moist; germination then takes around 21-30 days. Transplant the seedlings once they are 20-25 cm tall.