honesty plant seed heads Honesty

honesty plant seed heads HonestyLunaria annua Origin: Balkans & SW Asia Improvement Status: Cultivated wild material Seeds per packet: ~60 Germination tested 10 2025: 86% Life cycle: Biennial Known mainly for its beautiful seed pods (resembling coins and commonly used in dry flower arrangements) this annual or biennial plant native the Balkans also shines as a low maintenance edible. The young leaves, flower buds, flowers, and seeds are all edible, with a spicy mustard flavor. The

Lunaria annua

Origin: Balkans & SW Asia

Improvement Status: Cultivated wild material

Seeds per packet: ~60

Germination tested 10/2025: 86%

Life cycle: Biennial

Known mainly for its beautiful seed pods (resembling coins and commonly used in dry flower arrangements) this annual or biennial plant native the Balkans also shines as a low maintenance edible. The young leaves, flower buds, flowers, and seeds are all edible, with a spicy mustard flavor. The purplish-pink flowers make a delicious and beautiful addition to salads. Once established, Honesty easily self-sows, so if you don’t want them to come back be sure to harvest the lovely seed heads before they break open. It self-sows so readily that many people assume it's a perennial! It has naturalized across North America to such an extent that many people assume it's a native plant.

Our seed was produced by Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery in Maine.

GROWING TIPS: Very easy to grow. Thrives in partial shade or sun. Plant 1/4” deep, in spring, either in containers or directly in place. If direct sowing plant 2-3 seeds in each placement, with placements 12”+ apart.

Honesty grows well in sun, but tolerates partial shade. They will grow fine in most soils. Being a biennial they do not flower until the second year. If self-seeding is not desired deadheading is advised, these ornamental seed pods are often the primary harvest from this plant.