Lunaria Annua ‘Money Plant’

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August 4th, 2008

Silver Dollar PlantI got this plant courtesy of my grandfather, it is one of his favorites and always grew at his house in a large mass planting.

This is one interesting plant with many phases for you to enjoy.

It is a biennial, which means it lives for two years and then dies. The first year it grows around 6 inches or so high, it takes the snow without losing it’s green, and then the second year it rapidly shoots up to spring to as high as 3 or 4 feet high and has bright purple flowers. It flowers in early Spring when there is not very much else of height flowering like it does, more or less between tulips and irises. It then slowly forms seed pods which then flake away revealing shiny silver disks, which give it it’s many names.

My grandfather called them “silver dollars” the more common names though seem to be “Money Plant” or “Honesty.” Apparently the plant can make you money as well. My grandfather always insisted that you could take the dried stalks with the shiny seed pod remnants and sell them to florists for big bucks. I don’t know about that, I’ve never tried it, but I do like this plant.

It reseeds very very well, you can literally just toss the seeds on the soil and they’ll grow. I cut down mature plants and just shake the seeds off and where they land they will germinate, but it isn’t really invasive, if it sprouts somewhere you do not want it to it is very easy to control.

Since it is a biennial I recommend planting your seeds one year, holding some back, and sowing those the next, so you get staggered plantings so that eventually you’ll have some plants blooming every year.

Lunaria Annua Money PlantI’ve grown this plant in both full sun and part shade, even full shade, it doesn’t seem to care. I have noticed where it has grown in less than idea conditions (a seed germinates somewhere I didn’t mean for it to, but I let it grow anyways) it doesn’t grow as high or get as many blossoms, so it seems to really react well to good fertile soil, but that is about it.

I want to make an offer to blog readers, my seed pods are mostly ready about now, so if anyone mails me a self-addressed stamped envelope I will mail you back free seeds so you can get your own started. This offer is only good until the end of August though, and if like 100 people send me letters I may run out, but I’ll do my best to send everyone free seeds.

You can send your envelopes to

1836 N Harrison Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823

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  2. Save Money, Grow Raspberries
  3. Deadhead your Daylilies to Make More Blooms
  4. Use Compost, Save Money

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41 Responses to “Lunaria Annua ‘Money Plant’”

  1. Mrs. Greenhands  Says:
    August 4th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    I love the money plant – this first year flowers are so pretty and the second year “money” pods made great fall arrangements!

  2. Daisy  Says:
    August 4th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    My grandmother used to LOVE her money plants. I used to love to pick apart the “silver dollars” to get the seeds out.

  3. Anne  Says:
    August 4th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    Thanks for this post! I’m planning my front garden/landscaping for next year (currently smothering the lawn so we can start fresh with non-mowable plants), and my color scheme is black and white (and silver and purple). This will be perfect!

  4. Valerie Trout  Says:
    September 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 am

    Hi…your free money plant seed offer was until the end of August. Unfortunately, I just now saw your offer. Do you have any left? I can send an envelope should you have any…..THANKS.

  5. Administrator  Says:
    September 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 am

    yes, I still have some

  6. Administrator  Says:
    September 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Remember… send a stamped envelop. I had one person just send a plain envelop and it was international too.

  7. Michelle  Says:
    September 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 am

    I was thrilled to find your website and discussion about the Money Plant. I too, have fond memories of this plant growing in my grandmother’s garden. She passed away and my cousin cleared her garden, and somehow, no seeds survived. Anyway, I found more of this plant during a walk and took some seed pods to harvest. Knowing nothing about growing this plant, I am happy to see your info. about planting this beautiful plant which will help me keep the memory of my special grandmother alive in my garden! Thank you!

  8. Lovely  Says:
    September 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Hi Chris,

    I got the free seeds today, thank you so much.I’m so excited to have my own started.

    GOD bless you :-)

  9. Administrator  Says:
    September 15th, 2008 at 9:14 am

    Yes

  10. Mon Good  Says:
    October 1st, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Honestly,I just read your generous offer for seeds from your Honesty plants. I know I missed the deadline. Just thought I’d check to see if you still have some. Of course, with the economic
    situation of our country, maybe you want to grow all the money plants you can. Guess it is no joking matter. Love to hear from you.
    M. Good

  11. Administrator  Says:
    October 1st, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    Yes, I still got some. Send away.

  12. Christina  Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    I live in an arid climate and most of my plants are indoors. Can the seeds grow in a pot? What care will it need?

  13. Vino  Says:
    November 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am

    I planted the seeds in the spring of 2006 – during the summer the leaves of the plant grew and grew (looking almost like a cabbage patch) but no flowers came up. I also shared the seeds with other people who had the same experience. Does it usually take this long to flower? The leaves are very well developed.

  14. Pam  Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    I am VERY, very late in reading this posting. Might there be seeds left? If yes, I’d be happy to drop an envelope into the mail system.

  15. Administrator  Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    I think so Pam, I have to remember where I stashed them, but I know there were some left.

  16. Pam  Says:
    January 12th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Thanks – I’ll drop a SASE into the mail!

  17. Nancy  Says:
    January 26th, 2009 at 7:07 am

    Oooh I hope I’m not too late…I’ll send a SASE today!! :)

  18. Administrator  Says:
    February 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 am

    Alright folks, I’m out of seeds.

  19. Nancy  Says:
    February 10th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Hey thank you so so much for the seeds…they arrived on Saturday.. =)

  20. zoe  Says:
    March 18th, 2009 at 9:18 am

    OH! I just found the seeds I got from you last fall. I totally forgot about them. I’m so excited to get them in the ground this spring. I am also sharing some with a few friends so we can all enjoy this plant! Thank you again for sharing.

  21. JoAnn Phillips  Says:
    May 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am

    Hi..I actually spotted this plant last year at the park where I walk my Dog and wanted to pick the pods for the seeds and never did. Well today I saw the pink flowers and the green pods, so I pick two of the pods. Do I have to remove the seeds to dry out or can I plant them intact? I remember this plant from my Mom-in-Law who has passed, any guidance is greatly appreciated.
    Thanks….

  22. Kelly  Says:
    June 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    My grandmother just gave me the plant with the seeds still inside. She instructed me to let it dry out more and then remove the seeds and plant them in the fall.
    Is the fall the ideal time to plan? Or should I be doing it now in the summer?

    Thanks so much!

  23. Robin  Says:
    July 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am

    I sowed seeds this year but do not know what the young plant looks like. Are the leaves alternate or opposite on the stem? I ask because there are two distinct plants growing in the seeded area, one with opposite leaves and one with alternate leaves. Which one do I want to pull out as a weed? Thank you!

  24. Administrator  Says:
    July 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    see here http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/Meredith79_1236434629_489.jpg

  25. Robin  Says:
    July 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    The link indicates that you can not embed an image in this post and therefore I was denied acess. I tried going directly to the davesgarden site but still can not enlarge this thumbnail from Meredith79. At any rate, one word will give me my answer…opposing or alternate?

    Thank you.

  26. Administrator  Says:
    July 8th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Try this then:

    http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4DKUS_enUS280US280&q=lunaria%20annua%20seedling&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

  27. Nanette  Says:
    July 16th, 2009 at 4:56 am

    Thank you for this log on Money Plants and for the last link as both are very informative.

    I’ve been carrying around a few seed pods in my wallet for the last year from my mothers garden. I took them before she died last June with hopes I would one day be able to grow them and introduce my adult children and grandchildren to them.

    I live in NE Florida. Should I plant them in full sun or part sun/shade. Full sun here is extremely hot and I don’t really want to lose them to the heat unless they will make it.

    Thanks~N

  28. Trish Lindsey Jaggers  Says:
    September 14th, 2009 at 5:38 am

    Thanx for this great blog on these terrific plants. I received my start over thirty years ago from my husband’s grandmother, and I’ve grown these for years at my old homesite and did not realize that they were biennial until reading this blog.

    I still own the old place and rent it out. Several years ago, one of the tenants tried to kill out all the ground cover and money plants–almost succeeded before I evicted him. Only a few of the plants remained and blossomed (seeded). I’m now desperately trying to get a good stand of them at my current home (same farm, different house) from the seeds that I recovered.

    The seedlings are up (and it’s September), and I’m wondering: do I need to protect them over the winter? I know that they do better in the shade (partial sun) than in full sun. I have them planted on the north side of my southern Kentucky home. Will they survive uncovered? or should I throw some leaves over them for good measure?

  29. Administrator  Says:
    September 14th, 2009 at 6:50 am

    I live in mid-michigan, zone 5, mine do fine uncovered. Unless you’re a really high elevation I imagine you’ll do fine in Kentucky.

  30. Shikha  Says:
    January 22nd, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    Hi,

    Just saw your blog and wondering if you still have the seeds? Please let me know and thanks for the offer.

    Regards,
    Shikha

  31. Administrator  Says:
    January 22nd, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    Yes I have some.

  32. Administrator  Says:
    January 27th, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    Yes, send me your self address stamped envelopes. And if I do not have seeds now, I’ll wait and send them when I will have them (late Summer).

  33. Angela  Says:
    April 19th, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Soy de Santiago de Chile, clima seco ahora comienza el Otoño, qué epoca del año es mejor plantar las semillas y es mejor con o sin sol?
    Agradezco tu ayuda

  34. Angela  Says:
    April 19th, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    I am from Santiago of Chile, dry climate now begins the Autumn, what epoch of the year is better to plant the seeds and is better with or without the Sun?
    I am grateful for your help

  35. karen  Says:
    May 6th, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    If I send you and envelope can you send me some seeds? My husbands dad used to grow these in NC and we have been trying to find seeds for 5 years. We live in TX now and I’m sure they would grow here too. Thanks, Karen p.s. send me the address too!

  36. Administrator  Says:
    May 7th, 2010 at 7:00 am

    Yes, I will still send seeds. Though it may have to wait until fall

  37. karen  Says:
    May 10th, 2010 at 6:12 am

    Thanks! Our envelope is on it’s way! Karen

  38. Janie Orenstein  Says:
    May 16th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I live in coastal Los Angeles and just planted about six silver dollar seeds next to some ferns and camilla bushes. Do you think silver dollars can grow in a coastal climate (ranging from 50 to 78 degrees)? My seeds were sent to me by an aunt in Cleveland, Ohio. If you think this bush can flourish in my climate zone (24) could you send me some seeds (if you have any left) to-add to my too small amount? Thank you for your help.

  39. Administrator  Says:
    May 16th, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    I’m sure it’ll grow fine and if you send me a SASE I will send you some seeds (in the fall, when I have more).

    But… it needs sun for best growth, if you’ve planted it next to ferns I’m guessing it is shady.

  40. Janie Orenstein  Says:
    May 17th, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    Thank you for letting me know about the need for sun. I will hunt for a new location. Thank you for your offer of seeds. I will send the envelope as you requested.

  41. eric  Says:
    July 3rd, 2010 at 6:29 am

    any seeds left at this date?

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