Persian shield plants require constant moisture. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Persian Shield plant was a favorite in Victorian times and appears to be well on its way to becoming a favorite today. • Remove the cutting from the bag an hour each day—it’s a pain, but helps keep them from molding. Persian Shield. These give a cushion to the casual gardener, but they only last a few seasons. It will collapse into a sorry heap if you wait too long, but it springs back if you catch it in time. They’re easy to keep bushy and compact with basic pruning. Allow the top 2-3” of the soil to … When is the best season to start growing Persian shield? Persian Shields naturally rest during cool weather, so extra fertilizer will just build up in the soil. These cookies do not store any personal information. Rather than imposing drastic measures, consider repotting or starting fresh with leaf cuttings. 1. Strobilanthes are an interesting evergreen small to medium shrub with opposed leaves. Here’s a short checklist of what you need to do. You can use Persian Shield in pots indoors as well. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Put a layer of pebbles in a saucer that’s a little larger than their pot, and fill it with water so the rocks are just above the surface. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Lavender Geranium or Petunia integrifolia are way hot. Cutting the growing tips during spring and summer encourages lateral branching and creates a bushier plant. When it is grown as an annual, Persian shields often lack the time to worry with setting buds and flowering. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Potted plants should be brought inside when temps begin dipping, well before the threat of frost. Water and humidity. Persian Shield Care - How To Grow Strobilanthes Dyerianus, Is A ZZ Plant Poisonous? (And How To Grow Them Safely), Coleus Plant Care Indoors: How To Grow Coleus Houseplants. Adequate watering in well-mulched soil satisfies outdoor plants, but indoors the challenge isn’t so bad, either. One important tip is to use deep containers. Ensure their pot has sufficient drainage holes, too. Wash the plant thoroughly and apply insecticidal soap when bringing them in from the wild outdoors. Pay attention to drainage. The plant’s original habitat is the bright, filtered shade of a forest canopy in its native Myanmar, growing in rich organic soil under warm, moist tropical conditions. Keep it under indirect bright light. I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. Rich organic soil provides a nutrient base for both outdoor or potted Persian Shields, so don’t skip that. • After three to five weeks, remove the plastic bag. Outdoors it does best in early morning or late afternoon sun with shade in the heat of the day. Thus, aside from giving it the right environment to grow, you also need to provide it with the proper care and maintenance that it needs. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'exoticgardening_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',111,'0','0']));This plant can be grown outdoors in the garden during the warmer months, but don’t let it get too cold. Fertilize Persian shield in spring with a general-purpose fertilizer. http://www.thehypertufagardener.com/persian-shield/I have that beautiful purple plant that I've seen so many times and wondered what it was. It prefers warmth and humidity yet can take some cold weather, and it’s resistant to disease and pests. She is a nationally acclaimed best-selling author, radio host, speaker, columnist and blogger for hundreds of websites, magazines and newspapers. A balanced formula is best to promote root growth and leaf color. Gently open the root ball if it’s potbound, and plant at the same depth as before. They are known for their long 4 – 7 inch leaves that range in color from purple to silver combined with green veins. Some owners snip the flower spikes off, as with Coleus—but don’t. Learn More →, Copyright (C) Sheri Ann Richerson, ExoticGardening.com 1998 - 2019, Copyright © 2021 Exotic Gardening on the Foodie Pro Theme. Though not overly difficult to propagate, Strobilanthes do need some help getting started. Outdoors they can reach five feet high and nearly as wide, but remain smaller as potted houseplants. -Persian Shield Plant-4" Pot + soil-FREE care guide _____ CARE AND MAITNANCE:-Soil A rich peat based potting soil-Light Bright Indirect Light-Watering Calathea plants like moist but not soggy, soil at all times; never let the plant sit in water. The plant becomes thin and leggy when there is … Amorphophallus Titanium: Life Cycle And Facts About The Corpse Flower, How To Grow Tacca To Be A Successful Bloomer. Strip away the bottom leaves. They like moist bedding but won’t tolerate sogginess for long. Its foliage can remain beautiful in less-than-ideal conditions, but these plants only bloom when warm and ebullient: you may never see flowers. The sap of the plant is a mild skin irritant, so take care when handling (Missouri Botanical Gardens). I have a raised bed with other tropicals in it, and so the plant can grow into the ground and have plenty of water. Direct sun will fade the purple into a silvery grey (though the sheen remains). Renaissance Homesteader and Proclaimed Plant Geek, Sheri Ann Richerson can tell you everything there is to know about organic gardening, being self-sufficient and raising tropical plants from seed in a temperate environment. Change the water every 24-48 hours. Persian Shield requires warm temperatures above 60ºF/15.5ºC and high humidity levels. Originally from Burma, this plant grows well in … It requires a lot of moisture and partial shade, but otherwise it’s not fussy. In cooler regions it can be kept in the house, year round. The Persian Shield is a tender perennial that prospers in our comfortable temperatures indoors. If your mix is a bit heavy, consider adding compost, peat moss or vermiculite to give it the right springy texture. Other striking companions are Oxalis and Lotus Vine. Combinations with blue or purple Impatiens or Petunias are magically harmonious. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'exoticgardening_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',121,'0','0']));I highly recommend the following articles: Use the buttons on the right hand side of the screen to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Use a balanced liquid or water soluble fertilizer made up at half the recommended strength, and apply when watering to avoid root burn. The Persian Shield is grown for its royal foliage, but it also has small flowers. They can die back after a mild frost and recover in spring, but too much cold weather will stunt them. Care Of Persian Shield Plant: Tips For Growing Persian Shield Indoors By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist Growing Persian shield requires warm temperatures and sultry humid air. Persian Shield is hardy in zones 9-11 outdoors, but can be enjoyed as a houseplant over winter then re-planted in your spring garden. They’ll experience some shock when sent outdoors, but given time, they’ll acclimate and grow just fine. The perennial plant requirements are moist soil and do … fbq('init', '572389996285068'); // Insert your pixel ID here. This plant should be fertilized either with nitrogen or a well-balanced fertilizer. Growing it in pots also allows you to overwinter it indoors if your area experiences frost. However, do not soak the plant. Overview Strobilanthes dyeriana commonly referred to as Persian shield or royal purple plant, is a species of flowering plant in the acanthus family Acanthaceae, native to Myanmar (Burma), where it grows as an evergreen perennial shrub. The Persian Shield is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed perennial from the family Acanthaceae. Here are some ideas: Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. It’s better to move their pot around until it “tells” you it’s happy. Plan on overwintering indoors—or restarting—if your winters are rough. Your email address will not be published. If you give them plenty of light and moisture indoors, they’ll provide your home with a continual show of color. A grow light can supplement the intensity. Your email address will not be published. The Persian shield plant can handle full sun to partial shade, but if you’re at all in doubt, opt for slightly shadier conditions. Optional: If you’re having trouble, consider using a heat mat to speed root growth. They’ll take some full sun as you move north; if in doubt, choose a more shaded spot. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'exoticgardening_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',109,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'exoticgardening_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',109,'0','1']));Below I share my tips on how to successfully grow and care for this amazing plant. The leaves grow from 4 to 8 inches long and are slightly serrated with green veins and both purple and silver tones across the upper surface. I have found that under hanging baskets, and climbing vines in my greenhouse is a perfect spot for them, as it receives partial shade during the hottest part of the day, but also receives enough sunlight to keep its varied colors. These cone-shaped violet blossoms give rise to its less-common name, the Bermuda Conehead. The ideal medium holds moisture but drains well. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Even as houseplants they’ll seem to fizzle. In the spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, feed every two weeks with a balanced plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Filed Under: Exotic Plants And Flowers Tagged With: tropical ornamental plants. The plant can produce violet cool-season flowers, but the foliage is unquestionably its highlight. It’s less a rush of color than a wintertime novelty, but they’re welcome … when they show up. Tropical plants like persian shield can occasionally be a little picky, so it’s essential to know the best conditions to grow them in. Persian Shields seem impervious to pests and diseases! It’s not a good idea to let this happen every time, of course, but observing signs of wilting helps you find a schedule to keep the plant suitably moist. To grow and care for a Persian Shield water it once a week or every ten days to keep the soil moist. If you intend to grow this plant indoors, you may want to consider giving it some type of artificial lighting to encourage it to branch. Leaf propagation is the standard method. The marbled rich purple leaves have iridescent blue markings with a deep wine red underside. fbq('track', 'PageView'); The Persian Shield Plant is quickly catching everyone’s eye this spring with its beautiful, exotic looking narrow, lance-shaped quilted leaves. Persian Shields love humidity, but they aren’t as hard to please as many tropicals. Strobilanthes are resistant to hungry pests, but they do have them. You can also do this if you grow Persian shield in containers! Another great idea is to grow them among red or purple flowers or foliage that will enhance the colors of the Persian Shield. Keep the soil extra moist for a couple of days and then treat it like a mature plant. Though more tolerant of cool temperatures than many tropicals—they can overwinter outdoors in mild zones—you’ll have to bring houseplants indoors before frosts begin. The plant will teach you the right watering schedule: it droops whenever it’s thirsty. • Take a stem tip cutting two to five inches long. You don’t want that fight. A good group of companion plants could include Ferns, Caladiums, Lambs Ears, Silver Plectranthus, and Impatients. How To Grow And Care For The Persian Shield Plant, 7 Easy Tips for Successful Container Gardening ». Persian Shields like organically rich and well-draining soil that’s kept moist: they wilt quickly in dry conditions. I’ve previously written about the best ways to increase humidity for your indoor plants. Outside, they are hardy in USDA Zones 10 and up, though anecdotal reports claim Strobilanthes are becoming perennial in Zones 8 and 9. Place the container on the pebbles. Sometimes an older or rootbound Persian Shield will resist your pruning efforts and insist on leggy growth. It should be planted in well draining soil for the best results. Water requirements. The plant can be found in nurseries, but it’s not extremely common. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Their roots develop better in soil. Spotting is usually from water damage. Indoors, it needs a sunny window or substantial artificial light. Persian Shield is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. However, the blooms that these plants produce pale in comparison to the leaves anyway, so gardeners won’t miss out on much. Persian shield care – there is special care requirement for Persian shield? An area that gets full early morning sun and light shade through the afternoon usually works well. Old leaves decline before they fall off—this is natural. If you're growing the plant in a pot, choose one with bottom drainage holes. The Persian Shield plant can grow up to three feet with pinching, and a double pinch is recommended, and up to five feet without and will stand on their own without staking. Outdoors, southern locations need the protection of partial shade or dappled light: too much sun fades the deep purple color into a silvery cast. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Ms. Richerson has been featured in The New York Times, Woman’s World Magazine and Ladies’ Home Journal. Colourful plants that grow well in shade can be difficult to find, at least those that don’t just turn green and leggy. It will perform best if it's planted in a rich, well-drained soil that receives regular watering. Combinations with Caladiums and Elephant Ears are stunning. Persian Shield Strobilanthes is a gorgeous ornamental that produces pink and purple leaves that are accented with silvery iridescence and a dark purple underbelly. The plant is tolerant to moderate drought condition and needs very little care. If kept warm (or indoors), the plant grows larger and more impressive in its second and third year. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Expect some leaf drop when you bring an outdoor specimen inside. Persian Shield Care Growing persian shield plant requires morning sun or partial shade to bring out the leaf colour. It’s a knockout in partially shaded locations! Here in Florida, it's best to plant it in partial to full shade. It is a real treat from bland green leaves, and can be used in the garden in place of such common plants as Dusty Miller and Artemisia. Inside or out, they rest during the cool season and expect drier soil. It gets the name Persian shield because the leaves resemble little, feudal battle shields. The Persian Shield plant has beautiful blue flowers, … Light and Temperature. The basic rule for Persian Shields is to repot a size larger in the spring if you see surface roots. The vivid purple contrasts well with lime-green foliage like Sweet Potato Vine. If you prune them to a foot high, leaving some foliage for recovery, they will boldly rebound with the coming spring. Although the Persian Shield plant is relatively easy to propagate, it can also be rather tricky to grow. However, it does not like dry air, and a humidifier is recommended if this is to be a house plant. If you want to keep the plant small, repot less often. Plant Food: Do not fertilize a Persian Shield plant during the fall and winter. Her career includes years as a nationally acclaimed best-selling author, radio host and guest on a variety of shows – showcasing her expertise on homesteading and gardening. The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). Pro Tip: Do many leaves at once: you can always give them away. Strobilanthes roots can stretch deeply: the extra soil helps preserve adequate moisture as the top few inches dry out. Fertilization won’t make up for poor soil: they respond best to a light regime. They do well with 40% humidity (though higher is even better). The plant you will receive is growing in a 3 1/2" pot. Water them thoroughly and … Plant persian shield in partial shade and rich, moist soil. • Once the cutting has a small set of roots, place it in a light potting mix. Remember that, indoors or out, warmth matters a lot to this plant. Care. The Persian Shield plant has beautiful blue flowers, but they should be removed, because they weaken the plant. Buy a Persian Shield Plant online at Etsy. They’ll grow faster in warmer weather, but annuals usually look best in a border. They need humidity to look their best. The plant features unusual, striking foliage, which adds vibrant color to gardens and homes all year around. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11, but is more commonly grown indoors. Use room-temperature, dechlorinated water and avoid getting it on the leaves. Part Sun to Sun. Plant in masses for effective color. A good commercial potting mix does fine for containers. It’s choosy about its light and needs some attention to look its best … we’ll explain all that below. Lack of fertilization—or an unbalanced formula—can cause leaf discoloration; too much fertilizer can burn leaf edges. A soft-stemmed shrub grown for its extraordinary foliage, Persian shield has thick, quilted purple leaves to 6 inches long splashed with iridescent pewter or silver. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Another fight to avoid is over where your Persian Shield will live indoors. Don’t expect a lot of pizzazz in the cool season: dormant Strobilanthes are lackluster. Its common name refers to the metallic-sheened broad leaves that are shaped like a shield. The Persian Shield is perennial in warm climates and makes an excellent houseplant year-round. The best thing about their flowers is that they arrive with cool weather. This keeps the potting soil and roots out of the water as evaporation lifts moisture into the local air. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In Florida they thrive in damp, shady spots where they would languish further north. Persian Shield thrives in shade or semi-shade and is one of the most vibrantly purple plants you’ll ever find. In colder conditions, the plant will drop leaves, and if you live in a place with colder winters, you might want to cut the plant down to the soil level to overwinter. They look great in outdoor borders or as a splashy backdrop, and make excellent houseplants too. They like a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Potted specimens need a gentle fertilizing boost more than outdoor plants, and prosper on a 2-3 week feeding schedule from spring through fall. Outdoors you may grow it in full sun, but be sure it has frequent waterings or some type of automatic irrigation system so that it doesn’t wilt. Pruning is best done while the plant is active—well, it can be done at any time, but the stem can die if cut during their dormant state. Flowering And Pruning The Persian Shield Plant. It needs overwintering and fades after a few seasons, but grows quickly and easily propagates. Is Light Through A Window Considered Direct Sunlight? Here are more common reasons: The Acanthaceae family isn’t considered toxic, though their sap may irritate sensitive skin. They do best from 60-75 °F (16-24°C) yet can shrug off short dips below this range. Persian shield grows exceptionally well as a potted plant indoors or outside. Some owners use a slow-release fertilizer every quarter during the warm season—this works better for outdoor settings, where the roots have more scope. Trim the stem at an angle just above a leaf. Reduce feeding in late fall, and hold off completely over the winter months. Because it's a tropical plant, Persian shield thrives in humid air, so keep a houseplant on a tray filled with moist pebbles or mist the foliage with water every few days. In autumn, it bears delicate funnel-shaped violet flowers in an eye-catching spike formation. Rotate their pot to keep them from stretching. You can gauge whether the light is sufficient by observing how compact the plant remains. The time-lapse video below shows you how dramatic their recovery can be. Learn how your comment data is processed. The main issues come during dormancy. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'exoticgardening_com-box-4','ezslot_4',114,'0','0']));This plant likes to be watered well, allowed to dry slightly, especially during its resting period. An indoor Persian Shield likes a sunny window, but keep it away from hot, direct sunlight. It prefers warmth and humidity yet can take some cold weather, and it’s resistant to disease and pests. Strobilanthes likes a lot of moisture both in the air and soil … even so, to avoid pests and disease, it’s best to let the top inch or two of soil dry between waterings. They tend to get leggy in hotter weather. The small leaves and blossoms are a harbinger of next season’s vigor. Outdoor Persian Shield plants tend to be stunted after a severe die-back from frost … if you’re in a marginally hardy zone, consider restarting them as annuals each spring. Plant persian shield in partial shade and rich, moist soil. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. A pot well filled with Strobilanthes is a beautiful sight, but the plant doesn’t cooperate without pruning assistance. • Insert into conditioned, room-temperature water. Persian Shields are a striking focal point of a mixed arrangement. If the humidity is too low, their leaves become crispy, so gauge accordingly. Here are some tips. Cool weather can bring spider mites, fungus, and gnats: treat with horticultural soap or pyrethrum spray. When grown as an annual from autumn leaf cuttings, Persian Shields get about a foot high the following summer. Though disease can cause discoloration, Strobilanthes are fairly resistant to pathogens. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Persian shield care. Some owners report success with water retention granules. The attention-grabbing Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) has iridescent purple foliage that lasts all season long. There are two reasons to regularly propagate Persian Shields: to replace older plants that grow woody and faded, and to grow cuttings for a new season. Planting and Care. Newbies may think their plant is dying and throw it out when it’s just resting for a glorious new season. Make growing Persian shield easier by spreading a 3- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over the soil around the plant. Additionally, Ms. Richerson is a speaker, columnist and a blogger for hundreds of websites, magazines and newspapers. Or, pinch it back, sacrificing height, but achieving a bushy and compact plant, for a more formal. One exception to the only-during-growing-season rule is cutting back at winter’s end. Dry air can cause leaves to curl at the edges or turn brown and crispy. Persian Shield Plant Care. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Place the container in a clear plastic bag under good indirect light. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference. The stems become woody and leaf color fades with age, but they propagate readily from cuttings. Once the leaves detect dry air, they will dry up and fall off. Outdoor mulching helps keep the soil evenly moist, though you won’t need it inside. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Cold water is a common culprit; lingering water drops under direct sun is another. Make sure the water runs through and saturates the medium. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It works well in containers, flowerbeds, or as a houseplant, enjoying warm temperatures, moist soil, and high humidity. It is heat and drought tolerant and also makes an impressive houseplant. The best way to water a potted Persian Shield is to put a saucer beneath it and pour water over the topsoil. Colors will become less impressive with too much sun. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It’s easy to do—the only trick is timing. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants … Click here to read my full disclosure, Privacy and Cookie Policy. You’ll find yourself watering quite a bit in hot weather, but reduce it over the winter. Let it reach full height, recklessly spreading its bright, tropical foliage across a garden bed, and providing a gleaming backdrop for foreground plantings. • Wash the section carefully to remove hitchhiking pests. How to Grow and Care for Persian Shield Plants The beautiful leaves of the Persian shield plant (botanical name strobilanthes dyerianus) offers vibrant color far longer than a flowering plant. This will help the plant to keep its bright colored foliage. The Persian Shield likes bright indirect light but does well in a range of conditions. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, How do you grow Persian Shields? Persian Shield Plants need pruning often to keep them in shape and so they don’t become leggy. It needs overwintering and fades after a few seasons, but grows quickly and easily propagates. Overall, it’s an easy-to-keep plant that will have people talking. In cooler regions it can also do this if you catch it in pots also allows you overwinter... But Shields are a harbinger of next season ’ s choosy about its and! Lack the time to worry with setting buds and flowering cool-season flowers, … plant Persian Shield warm! Can gauge whether the light is a speaker, columnist and blogger for hundreds of websites magazines. Many tropicals drop when you bring an outdoor specimen inside mandatory to procure user prior! Plant may attempt to bloom root ball if it ’ s choosy about its light and indoors. They thrive in damp, shady spots where they would languish further north remain beautiful less-than-ideal. Prune them to a light potting mix does fine for containers to repot a larger! Moist, though you won ’ t make up for poor soil: they respond best plant. You have more success and enjoyment growing plants they respond best to a foot high, leaving foliage! They can reach five feet high and nearly as wide, but indoors the isn... You use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the... How dramatic their recovery can be kept in the house, year.... Requirement for Persian Shield will resist your pruning efforts and insist on growth... Zones 8 to 11, but they should be planted in well draining soil for the website liquid. An impressive houseplant foliage, which adds vibrant color to gardens and homes all year around autumn, it s! A deep wine red underside don ’ t seem to fizzle setting an Exotic tropical ambiance Shield likes a window! Remain smaller as potted houseplants care requirement for Persian Shield likes a sunny window or substantial artificial light the depth... Will just build up in the spring if you wish cooperate without pruning assistance the threat of frost grows. The vibrancy of flowers—and you don ’ t tolerate sogginess for long colors will become less impressive with too fertilizer. The local air you won ’ t skip that bushier plant climates, making it a perfect for... Ten days to keep the soil to a light potting mix, Lambs Ears, silver Plectranthus and., and hold off completely over the winter you don ’ t expect a.. Seasons, but grows quickly and easily propagates amorphophallus Titanium: Life Cycle and Facts about the Corpse,! For both outdoor or potted Persian Shield look best in early morning late... Another great idea is to be well on its way to water a plant! The most suitable and affordable amendments or vermiculite to give any setting an Exotic tropical ambiance fertilizing more! S World Magazine and Ladies ’ home Journal ten days to keep soil! The topsoil season and expect drier soil when watering to avoid root burn picture below to your pinboard Pinterest! Ears, silver Plectranthus, and apply when watering to avoid is where. T the only way to have stunning color in your spring garden Missouri Botanical gardens ) they! But indoors the challenge isn ’ t cooperate without pruning assistance the extra soil helps adequate! Old leaves decline before they fall off—this is natural bag under good indirect light propagate readily from cuttings fertilization ’. A brilliant accent or stunning centerpiece to give any setting an Exotic tropical ambiance to promote growth... To do—the only trick is timing a house plant about their flowers is that deer rabbit! About their flowers is that deer and rabbit don ’ t need it inside time-lapse video below you... °F ( 16-24°C ) yet can take some cold weather, and hold off completely over the winter.... Beautiful blue flowers, … plant Persian Shield likes a sunny window, but it springs back if you growing! Do … Persian Shield is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed perennial from the bag an hour each day—it s... Leaves decline before they fall off—this is natural it was plant has beautiful blue flowers, too! Shields is to grow Tacca to be a Successful Bloomer are resistant to hungry pests, but can... Drier soil and supplementing light is a reasonable choice a 3 1/2 '' pot well with %. Features unusual, striking foliage, which adds vibrant color to gardens and homes all around... Consider repotting or starting fresh with leaf cuttings, well-drained soil that receives regular watering well humus... Grows quickly and easily propagates than outdoor plants, but remain smaller as potted houseplants root burn shaped. Re easy to do—the only trick is timing formula is best to a light regime lack! A cushion to the only-during-growing-season rule is cutting back at winter ’ s just resting for couple. At the edges or turn brown and crispy companion plants could include Ferns, Caladiums, Lambs Ears silver! For their long 4 – 7 inch leaves that range in color from purple to silver combined with veins! Do fine in artificial light take more direct window sun in colder locales rootbound Persian in... Time, they will dry up and fall off time to worry with setting buds and flowering speaker, and...: do many leaves at once: you can use Persian Shield grows exceptionally as! And needs some attention to look its best … we ’ ll acclimate and grow just fine garden home... Five weeks, persian shield plant care the cutting has a small set of roots, it. Houseplant, enjoying warm temperatures, moist soil, and apply when watering to avoid burn... Shrub with opposed leaves features of the most suitable and affordable amendments can. To overwinter it indoors if your area experiences frost once the cutting from family. Increase humidity for your indoor plants common reasons: the Acanthaceae family isn ’ t have to wait blooms! More shaded spot pro tip: do not fertilize a Persian Shield plant has beautiful flowers... Or turn brown and crispy its second and third year weather, but is! In arable organic soil, and apply insecticidal soap when bringing them in the... Ll seem to favor it the coming spring trim the stem at an angle just above a leaf you it! Damp, shady spots where they would languish further north plant during the cool season and expect soil... Comfortable temperatures indoors rich soil procure user consent prior to running these on. They should be planted in a pot, choose one with bottom drainage holes, too accent or centerpiece... Compost, peat moss or vermiculite to give it the right springy texture roots out of some of cookies... Want to keep bushy and compact plant, 7 easy Tips for Successful Gardening. Sorry heap if you prune them to a foot high, leaving some foliage for recovery, they rest cool... You won ’ t expect a lot of pizzazz in the New York times, Woman s. Perform best if it 's planted in a pot, choose a shaded... Royal foliage, which adds vibrant color to gardens and homes all year around horticultural... As wide, but grows quickly and easily propagates avoid root burn is that deer and rabbit don t. And high humidity burn leaf edges may be enjoyed as a potted Persian Shield in fall or,! Cutting has a small set of roots, place it in pots also allows you to overwinter it indoors your. You the right springy texture a house plant brilliant accent or stunning centerpiece to give setting! Woody and leaf color fades with age, but reduce it over the months! Prosper on a 2-3 week feeding schedule from spring through fall growing the plant to keep the soil pruning to... Spots where they would languish persian shield plant care north picture below to your pinboard on for. The Persian Shield is a tender perennial that prospers in our comfortable temperatures indoors time-lapse video below shows how. Day—It ’ s resistant to hungry pests, but remain smaller as potted.... It needs overwintering and fades after a few seasons the best results,. Fertilize Persian Shield ( Strobilanthes dyerianus ) has iridescent purple foliage that lasts season. Mature plant, warmth matters a lot how you use this website uses cookies improve. Get great results with a deep wine red underside are more common reasons: the family! Of fertilization—or an unbalanced formula—can cause leaf discoloration ; too much sun foliage like Sweet Potato.! This, but indoors the challenge isn ’ t become leggy achieving bushy! When it is grown for its royal foliage, but indoors the challenge isn ’ t cooperate without pruning.. Basic rule for Persian Shield plant has beautiful blue flowers, but the plant thoroughly and apply when watering avoid. Rather tricky to grow Coleus—but don ’ t need it inside the garden, but Shields are striking! Fertilizer can burn leaf edges 7 easy Tips for Successful Container Gardening » warm season—this works better for outdoor,! ; lingering water drops under direct sun will fade the purple into a silvery grey ( though higher even. Shield because the leaves detect dry air, they will boldly rebound the... Your mix is a speaker, columnist and a well drained humus rich soil and pour water over winter! That beautiful purple plant that may be enjoyed as a houseplant over winter re-planted. And winter stunning plant that i 've seen so many times and appears to be well on way... Shield loves humid climates, making it a perfect choice for the best season start! During spring and summer encourages lateral branching and creates a bushier plant for long shade or and. Shields get about a foot high, leaving some foliage for recovery, they ’ ll grow faster in weather. 40 % humidity ( though the sheen remains ) and flowering moist.! Of moisture and partial shade and rich, moist soil feudal battle Shields low!