Lunaria annua aka Honesty

Taxonomy

Lunaria annua, also known as honesty or annual honesty, is a flowering plant belonging to the cabbage and mustard family Brassicaceae. Native to the Balkans and southwest Asia, it is widely cultivated across temperate regions around the world. This hardy plant can be an annual or biennial, featuring heart-shaped leaves ranging in color from dark green to deep purple. During late spring and early summer, it produces large clusters of pinkish-purple flowers, followed by round seed pods that dry to a translucent silvery white. Lunaria is a herbaceous plant commonly used for interior decorations, with its dry stems being particularly popular. The Lunaria genus encompasses three species of herbaceous biennial and perennial plants, with flowers blooming throughout spring and transforming into silvery buds. With its distribution area spanning Europe and North America, Lunaria annua remains a beloved and versatile plant.

Common names

Honesty, Money Plant, Annual Honesty

How to care for Honesty

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Honesty is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Honesty should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Honesty loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Honesty thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Annual Honesty.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.


More info:
Wikipedia