Money Plant 'Silver Dollar'

Silver Dollar (Lunaria annua)
Also known as Honesty, Money Plant, or Moonwort, Lunaria annua is a charming biennial grown for both its lovely springtime mauve flowers and its striking seedpods. After blooming, flat green disks form along the stems. As they mature, the outer husks peel away to reveal luminous, papery silver “coins” — perfect for dried arrangements and crafts.

Easy to grow in sun or part shade, especially alongside Foxgloves in woodland-style gardens. Though technically a biennial, Lunaria will flower in its first year if started indoors early. The pods are easy to collect for seed-saving or gifting. A nostalgic cottage garden favourite and a must-have for dried floral lovers.

DETAILS:

TYPE: Biennial

SITE: Full Sun / Part Shade

DEPTH: Barely Cover

GERMINATION: 14 - 21 days at 18 - 21°C

HEIGHT: 24 - 36"

MATURITY: 80 - 100 Days

SPACING: 12 - 18"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Direct Sow (recommended): Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring while there is still a light risk of frost. In areas with mild winters, you can also sow in late summer to early fall. Transplanting is not recommended, as Lunaria dislikes root disturbance. For fall-sown plants, mulch well before the first hard frost to protect young seedlings through winter.

Transplanting (not recommended): Due to its dislike of root disturbance, transplanting is not recommended and can lead to a lower success rate.

Pinching and Support: Pinching is not necessary for Lunaria. No support is typically needed.

Soil Preference and Watering: Lunaria prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year of growth.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required for Lunaria. Amending the soil with compost is usually sufficient.

Harvesting: Lunaria is primarily grown for its signature decorative seed pods. Harvest the stems when the outer casings of the pods turn a papery, translucent silvery color. This typically occurs in late summer or early fall of the second year. To prevent the pods from shattering and self-seeding, harvest them before they fully mature.

Other Tips: Lunaria is a biennial, meaning it forms leafy growth in its first year and blooms in the second, followed by its signature pods. After flowering and setting seed, the plant will die back naturally. You can remove spent plants to prevent self-seeding or allow them to self-sow for a naturalized look in future seasons.