Einjähriges Silberblatt Standardsorte

created by GardenOfEden at 19.02.2026

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

1ST YEAR

2ND YEAR

Description

The annual silver leaf (also known as moon violet or Judas penny) from the cruciferous family is well known and popular due to its unique decorative seed heads. What many people don't know is that the flowers and leaves of this plant are edible and can be used to enhance salads with their cabbage- or mustard-like flavor. Only the seeds should not be eaten, as they contain toxic alkaloids. Contrary to its name, the annual silver leaf is a biennial plant that only forms a rosette of leaves in the first year and only flowers in the second year (and thus only then forms the characteristic seed heads). Since the annual silver leaf is a cold germinator, it is best to sow the plants in the fall for germination in the spring. It is best to sow the plants directly in the garden, as they are reluctant to be transplanted due to their pronounced roots. The seeds should be covered with only a little or no soil, as this plant is a light germinator. In addition to the wild form with purple flowers, there are also cultivars with white or white-purple flowers. There are also varieties with decorative, variegated leaves.

Non hybrid

Growing tips

The annual silverleaf is a typical riverside plant that likes to grow along streams, rivers and lake shores, where the soil is nice and moist. It also prefers partial shade to full sun and thrives better when it gets some shade, at least during the intense midday heat.