Lunaria annua, commonly called Money Plant or Honesty, is a charming biennial that delivers two seasons of beauty. In late spring and early summer, it bursts into clusters of vivid pink-purple flowers beloved by pollinators. As summer progresses, those blooms give way to translucent, coin-shaped seed pods — the iconic "silver dollars" that make stunning dried arrangements all winter long.
Growing Conditions
Type: Biennial (flowers in year 2; self-seeds reliably for a perennial effect)
Hardiness zones: 5–9
Light: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: ~24 inches
Bloom time: Late spring – early summer
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Drought tolerant once established
Germination Notes
Seeds require 8 weeks of cold/moist stratification. The easiest approach: sow directly in the garden in fall and let winter do the work — seeds will germinate naturally in early spring. Once established, plants self-seed freely so you’ll enjoy them year after year.
Cut Flower & Dried Arrangement Use
Lunaria is a two-stage cut flower star. Harvest stems in full bloom for fresh bouquets, or wait for the papery silver seed heads to dry on the plant for long-lasting dried arrangements.
