Various plants are known to gardeners under the colloquial name silver leaf. The best-known representative of these “namesakes” is probably the annual silver leaf (Lunaria annua), which was named after the characteristic shape and color of its seed heads.
How can you successfully propagate silver leaf?
The silver leaf can be easily propagated by collecting seeds after flowering and sowing them outdoors in autumn. To promote self-sowing, you can loosen the soil and leave seed heads.
Attention: The silver leaf only blooms in the second year
Caring for the silver leaf is basically very easy if a location that is not too sunny, hot and dry has been chosen. Since the silver leaf only feels comfortable in the pot to a limited extent, it should preferably be sown in the open ground. You should be aware that, contrary to the deceptive name, this extraordinary plant only blooms in its second year. Since the silver leaf of the Lunaria genus is completely hardy, this doesn't really require any additional effort. However, you should take this into account when planning different flowering times in the bed and also when weeding “weeds”.
Propagate the silver leaf by sowing
The silver leaf is extremely easy to propagate by sowing. After the relatively delicate and subtle flowering, flat seed pods form on the stems of the plant, in which the round, flat seeds can soon be seen. The initially green seed heads become increasingly brown and transparent over time. If the seeds fall out at the time of seed ripeness, the silvery septums usually remain on the stems for a while. Collected seeds should be stored safely as, unlike the plant's leaf material, they can be toxic if consumed. The seeds have ideal germination if they are sown outdoors in autumn and only lightly raked into the ground.
Make it easier to sow plants yourself
If the silver leaf can develop well in a location due to the light and moisture conditions, then the population usually continues to develop on its own without much intervention from the gardener. In order for self-sowing to work with silver leaf, you should only heed the following advice:
- dig up the soil a little before the seeds ripen and thus open it up for the seeds
- cut back or transplant vigorous neighboring plants
- do not harvest all seed heads (with the seeds) for decoration purposes
Tip
You can of course separate silver leaf populations that are too dense or have sprouted in unsuitable locations by transplanting them to different locations. An ideal time for this would be the fall of the first year so that the plants can root well in the new location before flowering. Make sure you choose locations that are not too sunny with air and soil moisture that are as constant as possible.
