Silberblatt (Mondviole) - plant, care, overwinter and more

The silver leaf thrives as a summer flower with an autumnal surprise effect

Plant silver leaf properly

You only plant a garden silver leaf behind glass in the bed when there is no longer any risk of frost. Ideally, the plant could harden on the partially shaded balcony during the day for the previous 2-3 weeks in order to linger on the windowsill for the nights. Enrich the soil with compost and horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *) before you put the Judas silver disc into the ground while maintaining the previous planting depth. Then pour generously and mulch with leaves.

Care tips

There are no horticultural stumbling blocks hidden in the uncomplicated care program. It's that easy:

Water the silver leaf regularly and extensively without causing waterlogging
From April to August, fertilize every 2-3 weeks with compost, horn shavings or liquid fertilizer
The decorative Silbertaler prevents the withered flowers from being cleaned out in autumn

The rhizome completely absorbs the green parts of the plant during winter. Cut these off close to the ground in early spring so that the fresh shoots can sprout unhindered.

Which location is suitable?

The silver leaf feels at home in the partially shaded to shady location, preferably under the protection of deciduous trees. The magical Lunaria favors nutrient-rich, fresh to moist soil, because in the wild, the plant thrives in gorges near streams, rivers and waterfalls.

What soil does the plant need?

The silver leaf likes to stretch out its roots in common garden soil. The rustic flower proves to be tolerant of poor soil. In nutrient-rich, fresh, moist and humus soil, the cruciferous plant finds the ideal framework for a lush abundance of flowers, which ends in the hoped-for parchment-soft, silvery pod leaves.

When is the flowering time?

Look forward to a long flowering period from April to July. Of course, this is only considered the floral start-up time for the eye-catching spectacle that the flower with its seed pods creates. Do not cut off the withered flowers, otherwise you will deprive yourself of the decorative silver coins in autumn.

Cut the silver leaf properly

In autumn, the above-ground parts of the plant die off completely. The finger-shaped tubers from which both the biennial and perennial Lunaria sprout in spring overwinter in the ground. A pruning is therefore only necessary if the dead shoots and leaves impair the appearance of the garden. The extent to which you cut off the withered flowers during the year depends on your individual decision. With each withered flower you remove the pods that unfold into the decorative silver thalers in the course of autumn.

Pour silver leaf

The silver leaf is a thirsty fellow who cannot stand dryness. You should therefore water regularly and extensively without causing waterlogging. The sunnier the location, the more often the watering can is used. This can be necessary every day in the pot on warm summer days.

Fertilize the silver leaf properly

With regular fertilizers you get the garden silver leaf in the mood for a rich costume of decorative autumn decorations. Work a portion of compost with horn shavings into the soil every 3 weeks from April to August and pour more. Alternatively, give a nitrogen-rich slow release fertilizer in April and June. In pot culture, we recommend the 14-day application of liquid fertilizer.

Overwinter

The silver leaf is completely hardy. No precautions need to be taken in the bed, as the above-ground parts of the plant die off and only the root ball in the ground hibernates. In the pot, on the other hand, there is a risk that the roots will freeze to death due to the exposed location behind the thin vessel walls. Wrap the tub or flower box (€ 13.18 on Amazon *) with jute tape, fleece or bubble wrap and slide a block of wood underneath.

Propagate silver leaf

The silver leaf can be easily multiplied by sowing. Since these are cold germs, sow the seeds directly in the bed in August / September in a partially shaded to shady location. How to do it right:

Create a fine-crumbly seedbed, free from weeds, roots and stones
At a distance of 20-30 cm, put the seeds 1-2 cm deep into the earth and sieve them thinly with sand
Moisten the bed with a fine shower head and cover it with a close-knit protective net

Alternatively, you can multiply a perennial silver leaf species such as Lunaria rediviva by dividing it. To do this, dig up the rhizome in autumn or spring to cut off 5 cm long pieces of root. You plant these directly in the soil at the new location or feed them in a pot first.

Is silver leaf poisonous?

Just a look at the botanical classification gives the all-clear with regard to a possible poisonous content. As a cruciferous plant, the silver leaf is related to crops such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rapeseed or cress. There is no trace of toxic ingredients here. Therefore, the whole family can enjoy the decorative attributes of the silver thaler.

Silver leaf does not bloom

If a silver leaf refuses to flower, the first step is to put the site conditions to the test. If everything is in the frame here, question the maintenance. In order to get to the bottom of the cause, we've put together all common triggers with tips on how to fix them for you:

Too sunny: The silver leaf thrives in partially shaded to shady locations.
Too dry soil: Assign a Lunaria to a place in fresh, moist, nutrient-rich soil.
Drought stress: water the plant as soon as the substrate has dried.
Nutrient deficiency: From May to August, the Silbertaler depends on a regular supply of nutrients.

If it is a seedling-propagated plant, a little patience is required. Both the annual and the perennial species do not flower in the bed until the second year.

Nice varieties

Judaspfennig: Two-year-old silver leaf that remains true to its place in the bed over the years through being sown
Mondviole: Pretty silver leaf perennial with white, purple-tinged flowers and the unmistakable seed heads
Albiflora: Award-winning variety that sets itself apart with countless cream-white panicles
Moneta del Papa: Rustic, richly branched summer flower with purple-colored flowers and parchment thalers in autumn