Money Plant Lunaria Seeds

Native to the Balkans and Southwest Asia, Lunaria Biennis, also known as the Silver Dollar plant or Money Plant, is a biennial plant that has charmed its way into homes and hearts globally with its unique round, silver-dollar-like seed pods. Historically, the Money Plant has been considered a symbol of honesty, sincerity, and prosperity, its silvery seed pods are often used as decorative pieces or tokens of good fortune.

As an easy-to-grow plant, Lunaria Biennis requires minimal care. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for most gardens or indoor settings with sufficient light. Although the Money Plant prefers moderately fertile soils, it can adapt to less-than-ideal conditions. It appreciates regular watering but also shows decent drought tolerance.

Hardy in Canada Zones 6-9, the Money Plant can withstand colder temperatures. Its seeds are an interesting addition to any garden, with purple or white flowers in spring that transition into mesmerizing, flat, round seed pods resembling silvery coins. These pods are excellent for dried flower arrangements or craft projects.

- Latin Name: Luneria biennis
- Life Cycle: Biennal
- Days to Maturity: 80-100
- Planting Depth: 1-2 cm deep
- Plant Spacing: 20-30 cm
- Growth Habit: 60-90 cm tall

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

The one-of-a-kind money plant, aka silver dollar plant, moonwort and honesty plant, is resilient, easy to grow and enchanting. As a biennial it will produce a base rosette of leaves in the first year, but the following season will showcase pretty purple flowers that give way to seed pods that dry out and fade to a papery white, very much resembling a silver dollar. 

To grow your own money plant, seed should be directly sown outdoors. They develop a long taproot that doesn’t like to be disturbed, so it’s best to avoid any transplanting. As soon as the ground can be worked in spring, sow the seeds, lightly cover them with soil and water well. Seeds can be spaced 30-45 cm apart or planted more densely and thinned out later on. Seedlings should begin to appear in about two weeks. 

Money plants require at least eight hours of sun per day, favoring full sun conditions in cool climates and partial shade in hotter regions. The soil should be deeply tilled to suit the long taproot of money plant. An evenly moist soil that drains well is ideal, provide around 3 cm of water per week. Money plants don’t need any special feeding regimen other than perhaps an initial spring fertilizing to ensure plenty of blooms in the summer. 

The silver dollar-esque seed pods look wonderful in dried floral arrangements. Entire plants can be harvested in late summer after the pods have dried, but before they drop their seed. Tie up bunches of plants or hang them upside down to let them dry for a couple weeks. Then, the pods will be ready to be put to use. 

Though technically a biennial, money plants tend to self seed liberally. A single plant will multiply over the years, propagating more plants and potential seed for collecting. In this way they can be aggressive growers and sometimes considered invasive, but they are ultimately much easier to control than other super spreader plants.

QUICK FACTS

- In the Victorian era, the plant's seed pods were frequently used in floral arrangements, both for their visual appeal and the sweet, hay-like fragrance they emit when dried.

- In some regions, the plant's silvery, coin-shaped seed pods were once used in place of actual coins or as play money for children.

- Lunaria seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.