Gypsophila paniculata - L.

Common Name

Baby's Breath

Family

Caryophyllaceae

USDA hardiness

4-10

Known Hazards

Although no mention has been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus has a root that is rich in saponins[2]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm[65]. They are also broken down by heat so a long slow baking can destroy them. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Habitats

Dry sandy and stony places, in steppe where it grows with large tufted species of Stipa grasses[190], north to latitude 57°n[50].

Range

Europe. An occasional garden escape in Britain.

Edibility Rating

(0 of 5)

Other Uses

(0 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(1 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Gypsophila paniculata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Contraceptive Purgative

Purgative[61]. The root contains triterpenoid saponins and these have spermicidal activity[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Requires a sunny position and a well-drained dryish soil[1, 187]. Plants are not long-lived in wet or heavy soils[190]. A lime tolerant plant[1], it prefers a limey soil according to another report[190]. Plants are intolerant of winter damp[187] but tolerate drought once established[190]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -20c[187]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and, if growth is sufficient, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Basal cuttings before the plant flowers. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Root cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey (east), Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Russian Federation (Dagestan (European part, n. Caucasus, s.w. Siberia, n. Soviet Central Asia)), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia (west), China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Austria (east), Czech Republic (south), Hungary, Poland (east), Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part (European part (c. & s.)), Belarus, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia (northeast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Gypsophila arrostii	Arrost's baby's-breath	Perennial	1.0	7-10	M	LMH	N	DM	0	1	2
Gypsophila davurica		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Gypsophila licentiana		Perennial	0.4	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	0	2
Gypsophila oldhamiana	Manchurian Baby's Breath, Oldham's baby's-breath	Perennial	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Gypsophila struthium		Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	DM	0	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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