Lunaria annua var albiflora ‘Alba Variegata’
Plant of the Month September 2025
GENERAL INFORMATION: I loved the seed heads of “Silver Pennies” or “Honesty” as a child. Later I found the mauve flowers and first year green growth rather boring. Then I discovered the white flowered form with variegated leaves. Yes! Seeds germinated well but the young plants had green leaves! This happened again and I told my friend the seeds were not what I wanted. “Didn’t you know the white appears the 2nd year?” Research your plants! Lunaria is a typical member of the Brassicaceae, the cabbage family.
Common Name: Honesty, Money Plant, Silver Dollar Plant, Silver Pennies.
Life Cycle: Herbaceous biennial.
Height: 60 cm - 1m, with a spread of .5 m.
Bloom Time: May in Southern Ontario.
Flower Colour & Size: White, to 2.5 cm across, with 4 petals in large clusters. (Terminal racemes).
Lunaria annua var albiflora ‘Alba Variegata’ - in flower.
Scent: Floral fragrance.
Leaves: Heart shaped with a white border in 2nd year, varying in width. Serrated margins. 8-12 cm long, 5cm wide.
Lunaria annua var albiflora ‘Alba Variegata’ - early 2nd year.
Fruit: “A flat, oblong-elliptic to nearly orbicular silicle with satiny, paper-white septum.” (Hortus 3rd.) 3cm wide.
Lunaria annua var albiflora ‘Alba Variegata’ - seeds & "Silver Dollars."
Range: Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia.
Habitat: Woodland edges, disturbed areas.
CULTIVATION:
Plant: In groups or as a specimen.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Most soils, should be well drained and fertile for best growth.
Water: Moderate amounts till the seed pods start to turn brown.
USDA Hardiness: Zones 5-10.
Pests and Diseases: Usually trouble free.
Companion planting: With cottage garden plants in border.
Pollinators: Butterflies and bees.
Propagation: By seed. Collect seeds from plants with the best variegation.
Seedex availability: Often in the ORG&HPS Seedex.
Germination Tips: Self seeds. Collect seeds from plants that had the best variegation. Plant outside or sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months. N.B. Usually no leaf variegation 1st year.
Toxicity: Edible - I have never tried it. Cabbage-like, with mustard tasting seeds.
Uses: The seed heads are useful in long-lasting flower arrangements after the seeds are shed.
References:
Wikipedia
https://www.rhs.org.ukhttps://www.rhs.org.uk
https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/honesty/
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lunaria-annua/
Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt