Persian shield plant grow and care – shrub of the genus Strobilanthes also known as Strobilanthes dyerianus, Persian shield perennial evergreen plant can be grown in cold temperature as annual, used as ornamental plant for the purple leaves, can grow in tropics, mediterranean, subtropics, temperate climate or indoors as houseplant and growing in hardiness zone 11+ as perennial and 4-10a annual plant and with the right overwinter care in hardiness zone 10b.
Persian shield leaves
Leaves color purple with green blue in stripes, the shape is elliptic.
Flower color purple in cone shape little bit like trumpet and grow spike.
How to grow Persian shield plant – growing and care:
How to grow: Rich soil, high humidity, organic matter,
How to care: prune once a year, add organic matter, under temperature 20C (68F) the color looks less good, the temperature affect and humidity effect on the colors of the leaves
Plant leaves turning brown: When the air dry without humidity the leaves turning brown
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed (sow explanation bellow) / Vegetative Reproduction – as annual must start from cutting or buy plant
Propagation: Cutting propagation needs high humidity and at least 25C (77F) and better almost full shade, possible by water and need to switch the water every few days, or in the soil better to keep the soil moist and to use peat soil with root growth hormone.
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No
Difficulties or problems when growing: Sensitive plant
Planting season: Indoors planting spring to autumn, although it’s indoor might be still affect by the outdoor temperature. Outdoors – spring in hardiness zone 4-10b, spring to summer in hardiness zone 11 and all year in hardiness zone 12+
How to plant: Dig a hole as deep as the current root ball plus extra 100-200% put in the hole organic matter, hummus and dried leaves and mix the “ingredient” with the soil, reduce the hole to size of the roots ball, put the plant and loos little bit the root ball above the hole, plant and cover it and don’t push the soil too much strong ,after put humus and cover with mulch to keep moist on soil, put water, for the next two weeks put every day.
Pests and diseases: Moth, aphids, mealy bud
Pruning season: All year
How to prune: Just for design
Size of the plant? 0.3-1 m, 12-40 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition: Medium growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water the plant can grow in those condition but prefer bigger amount of water / Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun (not in hot areas) / Half Shade / Full Shade
Is it possible to grow indoors as houseplant? Yes
Growing is also possible in a pot / planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, when grow in container in size of at least 5-12 liter (1.5-3 gallon), average amount of water that needed, it’s to keep the soil moist and the water go out of the pot, when it’s grow as perianal every two years to switch soil in the pot don’t let, soil need to be well ventilated with good drainage, rich with organic matter, can us in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Information about flowers and blooming
Bloom season: Spring / Summer
General information about the flower Purple in cone shape little bit like trumpet and grow spike
How to grow Persian shield plant seeds
Sowing requirement: Temperature of at least 25C (77F), high humidity, moist soil
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark location in room temperature
Sowing season: Spring / Summer
How to plant: Better to plant in vermiculite or other material that keep moist
Planting spacing: 15*20cm (6*8 inches)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5-1cm, (0.25-0.5 inch)
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil, half shade
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
