Money plant Lunaria annua

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant known as honesty or silver dollar plant is favored for its unique and attractive seed pods. It bears clusters of purple to white flowers, similar in shape to those of common mustard plants, typically blooming in the late spring to summer period. The foliage of the honesty plant is quite simple yet appealing, with heart-shaped leaves that have a coarse texture. These leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, creating a lush and full appearance. After the flowering period, the plant is most recognized for its translucent, round seed pods that resemble silver coins, giving rise to its nickname. These flat, disc-like pods hold the seeds of the plant and shimmer when they catch the light, providing visual interest in the garden even after the blooming season. The overall shape and structure of honesty lend it a cottage garden feel, and its distinctive seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements, adding both aesthetic and ornamental value.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Brassicaceae
- Synonyms
  Honesty, Money Plant, Silver Dollar, Moonwort, Penny Flower, Satin Flower, Lunaria
- Common names
  Lunaria biennis, Lunaria inodora, Crucifera lunaria.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The most common name for Lunaria annua is honesty. Honesty is not considered a toxic plant to humans, and there are no well-documented cases of poisoning from ingesting this plant. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms associated with poisoning from honesty, as it is generally regarded as safe. However, ingestion of any plant material could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to the presence of fiber and other plant compounds not typical in the human diet. As with any non-food plant, it is advisable to avoid ingesting it. If large quantities are consumed or if an individual has a specific sensitivity or allergy to the plant, medical attention should be sought.
- To pets
  Honesty is known to be non-toxic to pets. There are no specific symptoms of poisoning associated with pets ingesting honesty, as it is generally regarded as safe for animals like cats and dogs. However, ingestion of plant material can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, such as vomiting or diarrhea, due to the unfamiliar plant matter or individual sensitivities. If a pet consumes a large amount of the plant or shows signs of distress, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Biennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  3 feet (0.91 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.30 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental value: The Lunaria annua, commonly known as 'honesty', features attractive purple flowers and unique, translucent seed pods that are particularly valued for their ornamental use in gardens and as dried flowers in arrangements.
- Attracts wildlife: Honesty is known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden, which can have a beneficial effect on the health of plants and aid in pollination.
- Easy to grow: Honesty is considered an easy plant to grow from seed and can thrive in a variety of soil types and conditions, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
- Self-seeding: This plant is a prolific self-seeder, which means it can propagate on its own and ensure a continual presence in the garden without the need for constant replanting.
- Early blooming: Honesty is one of the early bloomers in spring, offering color and vibrancy to gardens when many other plants have not yet started to flower.
- Educational interest: The clear seed pods reveal the internal seed structure and can be used in educational settings to demonstrate the life cycle of plants to children and students.
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
- Lunaria annua, commonly known as honesty, can be used for floral arrangements; the translucent seed pods are particularly valued for their silvery appearance when dried.
- The plant can be used in education to teach children about the life cycle of plants, as its growth from seed to flower to seed is easily observed.
- Honesty's seed pods can be used in crafts, such as making ornaments or natural jewelry, due to their unique coin-like shape.
- It can be included in wildlife-friendly gardens to attract and provide food for birds, which eat the seeds from its dried pods.
- The leaves and stems of honesty can be used in compost as a green layer, adding nitrogen to the compost mix.
- Honesty seed pods can be used in potpourri mixes; they add interesting texture and can hold scents quite well.
- The plant is sometimes used by photographers and artists as a subject for its distinct flowers and seed pods, offering an aesthetic value.
- It can be incorporated into winter garden displays; when other plants have died back, the persistent seed pods remain, offering visual interest.
- Honesty is used as a natural decorating element during the holiday season, especially in wreaths and table arrangements.
- In storytelling and literature, honesty is sometimes referenced symbolically to represent transparency and truthfulness, drawn from its clear seed pods.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Honesty plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Honesty plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Honesty: Lunaria annua is commonly known as the "honesty" plant due to its seed pods which are silvery and translucent once they mature, symbolizing transparency and truth.
- Wealth and Prosperity: The coin-shaped seed pods are reminiscent of money, making the plant a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
- Perennial Growth: Even though Lunaria annua is a biennial plant, it often symbolizes perennial growth because of its self-seeding ability, which ensures its presence year after year.
- Lunar Influence: The name "Lunaria" is derived from the Latin word for moon, "luna", due to the silvery, moon-like appearance of its seed pods, symbolizing a connection with lunar cycles and the feminine.
- Past Memories: Sometimes this plant is associated with remembrance or memory, probably because the dried seed pods can last for a long time, reminiscent of preserved or lingering memories.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
The common name for Lunaria annua is Money Plant. It should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means once a week. Use a watering can to evenly moisten the soil until water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot – for a medium-sized pot, this might be anywhere from 16 to 32 ounces of water, depending on the pot size and environmental conditions. During the growing season in spring and summer, the Money Plant may need more frequent watering, whereas in the fall and winter, less water is required. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
Light
Money Plant prefers bright, indirect light and should be placed in a spot where it can receive this exposure throughout the day. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it's ideal to position it near a window that gets plenty of light but is shielded from the intense midday sun. East-facing or west-facing windows are usually perfect spots for Money Plants to thrive.
Temperature
Money Plant can withstand a wide range of temperatures but grows best in conditions between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal conditions for promoting growth and flowering are consistent, moderate temperatures without drastic fluctuations.
Pruning
Pruning the Money Plant encourages healthy growth and should be done to remove any dead or yellowing leaves. It is best pruned after flowering, typically in late summer or autumn. Pruning should occur annually or as needed to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make precise cuts without damaging the healthy parts of the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Money plant (Lunaria annua) prefers a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good mix would be one part garden soil, one part compost or well-rotted manure, and one part perlite or sand to ensure adequate drainage.
Repotting
Money plant (Lunaria annua) is typically a biennial, meaning it lives for two years. Repotting is not often necessary as the plant will self-seed and regenerate in the same spot if allowed. If you must repot for size or health, do so in the spring before the growing season.
Humidity & Misting
Money plant (Lunaria annua) is not particularly humidity-dependent and can thrive in average room humidity levels. However, it may benefit from slight humidity, especially if housed in a dry indoor environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Partial shade, well-draining soil, and regular watering for indoor money plants.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to part shade, moist well-draining soil for outdoor money plants.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lunaria annua, commonly known as annual honesty, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in the soil in late spring or early summer. They quickly germinate and the plant develops a rosette of leaves during its first growing season, staying close to the ground. In their second year, the plants bolt, producing tall stems with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant, purple or white flowers in late spring to early summer. After flowering, the plant forms flat, round seed pods that turn from green to a papery brownish-silver as they mature. These distinctive seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements. Following seed maturation, annual honesty completes its life cycle, with the seeds dispersing for future generation before the plant dies.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring
- Lunaria annua, commonly known as the money plant or honesty, can easily be propagated by seed. The best time to sow seeds is either in early spring, soon after the last expected frost, or in late summer to early autumn. The latter timing allows for germination to occur either before the onset of winter or with the arrival of spring. The most popular method of propagation is direct seeding in the garden. To do this, prepare a well-draining soil bed in a sunny to part-shade location and scatter the seeds lightly on the surface, pressing them into the soil without covering them, as they need light to germinate. Keep the area moist until germination, which usually takes about two weeks. Once seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves and are large enough to handle, thin them to stand 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.