Money Plant Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' (v)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' (v), commonly known as the variegated white honesty, is a striking plant that adds visual interest to the garden with its unique foliage and flowers. The leaves of this plant are a standout feature, boasting a variegated pattern. Each leaf is a blend of green and creamy white patches, which creates a marbled effect that is quite eye-catching. The variegation can vary from leaf to leaf, with some exhibiting more white than others, adding to the plant's overall appeal. As the plant matures, it produces clusters of delicate white flowers that offer a stark contrast against the variegated foliage. These blooms are typically arranged in a loose raceme, projecting a soft and frothy appearance. As the season progresses, these flowers give way to the plant's signature feature: flattened, almost translucent seedpods that resemble silver dollars. These pods are circular in shape and retain their beauty well into the winter months, providing interest even when the rest of the garden has faded. The combination of the ornate leaves, the understated elegance of the white flowers, and the shimmering quality of the seedpods make the variegated white honesty a distinct and appealing addition to any planting space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Brassicaceae.
- Synonyms
  White Variegated Honesty, Variegated Annual Honesty, White Flowered Money Plant, Silver Dollar Plant.
- Common names
  Lunaria annua 'Alba Variegata'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Honesty (Lunaria annua) is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from consuming this plant, and it does not typically produce harmful effects if ingested in small amounts. However, as with any plant, individual reactions can vary, and it is always recommended to avoid eating plants that are not specifically grown for consumption.
- To pets
  Honesty (Lunaria annua) is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is not typically listed as a plant that is harmful to dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. However, ingestion of any plant material can potentially cause mild stomach upset in some pets, so it's advisable to keep an eye on your pet and consult with a veterinarian if you notice any unusual symptoms following ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Biennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Variegated
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  4-9
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Foliage: 'Alba Variegata' is known for its ornamental variegated leaves which add visual interest to the garden.
- Easy to Grow: It is considered low maintenance and can thrive in a range of soil types and conditions.
- Self-Seeding: The plant readily self-seeds, ensuring a continual display year after year with minimal effort.
- Seasonal Interest: Produces attractive flowers in spring and unique, translucent seed pods in autumn.
- Wildlife Friendly: Its flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, thereby supporting local ecosystems.
- Garden Design: Its distinct appearance allows it to be used effectively in garden borders, cottage gardens, or as a standalone specimen.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Biodegradable ornamentation: The transparent silvery seed pods can be used in place of plastic or glass in decorations, offering an eco-friendly alternative.
- Natural confetti: Dried and crumbled, the seed pods of the honesty plant can serve as a biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations.
- Floral arrangements: Fresh or dried, honesty adds a unique texture and aesthetic to flower arrangements and bouquets.
- Craft material: The sturdy seed pods can be used in crafting, such as in making homemade wreaths or as an embellishment for greeting cards.
- Photography prop: The distinctive look of honesty's luminescent seed pods makes them a popular choice as a photography prop, particularly for macro photography.
- Educational tool: Honesty plants can be used to teach children about the lifecycle of plants and the concept of seed dispersal.
- Natural moth deterrent: Dried honesty seed pods are sometimes used in linen closets to help repel moths.
- Seasonal decoration: During fall and winter, honesty seed pods can provide a unique and natural decoration for festive displays.
- Bookmark: Flattened seed pods can be used as delicate and ornamental bookmarks.
- Barrier creation: When grown densely, honesty can form a temporary visual barrier in gardens during its growth period.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Money Plant is sometimes used in Feng Shui to attract the energy of wealth and prosperity. It is often recommended to place the plant in the wealth corner of your home or business, which is the southeast corner, to stimulate the flow of positive energy that can lead to an increase in financial abundance.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Money Plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Honesty: Lunaria annua, commonly known as "Honesty," symbolizes truth and transparency, derived from its translucent seed pods that reveal the seeds within.
- Wealth and Prosperity: Often referred to as "Money Plant" due to the coin-like appearance of its dried seed pods, it is a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
- Perseverance: This plant’s ability to thrive in various conditions and its biennial life cycle, which requires patience to bloom in the second year, symbolizes perseverance and endurance.
- New Beginnings: The germination of new plants from the seeds represents fresh starts and new opportunities.
- Lunar Associations: The silvery pods are also reminiscent of the moon, often relating to lunar symbols of femininity, mystery, and the cycle of life.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Variegated Honesty, also known as Lunaria annua 'Alba Variegata', should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This generally means providing water approximately once a week, depending on environmental conditions. Water the plant at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Each watering should be deep enough to saturate the root zone, which may be about 1 to 1.5 gallons for an established plant in a medium-sized garden bed. During the growing season, in spring and summer, you might need to water more frequently, especially if the weather is particularly hot or windy.
Light
Variegated Honesty thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best spot for this plant would be a location where it receives morning sunlight and is protected from the intense afternoon sun, or dappled shade beneath larger plants or trees. It can also adapt to full sun conditions if it's not too harsh, but the variegated leaves may be at risk of scorching if overexposed.
Temperature
Variegated Honesty can tolerate a range of temperatures, but it thrives in conditions between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing it to temperatures below freezing as it may not withstand harsh, cold conditions well without protection.
Pruning
Pruning Variegated Honesty is essential to maintain the plant's shape and encourage more bushy growth. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Deadheading spent flowers can also promote a second bloom and prevent self-seeding if desired. Prune out any dead or damaged foliage as needed to keep the plant looking neat.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Variegated Honesty prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good mix could be equal parts loam, peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Variegated Honesty is typically grown as a biennial and does not often require repotting. If grown in containers, repot every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its pot.
Humidity & Misting
Variegated Honesty thrives in average room humidity levels; it does not require any special humidity conditions to grow healthily.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light, and allow soil to dry slightly.
- Outdoor
  Needs partial shade to full sun and well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' (v), commonly known as the Variegated White Honesty, is a biennial plant, completing its life cycle over two years. In the first year, it germinates from seed and develops a rosette of variegated leaves close to the ground, where it undergoes vegetative growth. As the season progresses into the second year, the plant bolts, producing a flower stalk, and flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, with white blooms that attract pollinators. After pollination, it develops seed pods that are initially green and fleshy, but become translucent with maturity, revealing the seeds inside. These distinctive silver dollar-like seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements. Once seed dispersal is complete, and by the onset of winter, the Variegated White Honesty completes its life cycle and dies, relying on the seeds it produced to ensure future generations.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method to propagate Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata', commonly known as variegated white flowering honesty, is by seed. Seeds can be directly sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, typically in late spring or early summer. To achieve optimal germination, plant the seeds a quarter inch deep in well-drained soil and space them about 18 inches apart to allow for adequate growth. It is crucial to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which usually happens within 2 to 3 weeks. Following the emergence of seedlings, thinning may be necessary to prevent overcrowding and to promote healthy development of the plants. This straightforward approach harnesses the plant's natural reproductive cycle and typically results in a generous crop of new honesty plants.