Guide to Growing and Caring for Persian Shield Plants

Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) is a warm-zone evergreen shrub that is native to Myanmar—formerly Burma. While this plant will bloom flowers in the fall or winter, its main appeal is its deep purple iridescent leaves with dark green veins and serrated edges. Persian shield is part of the Acanthaceae family, one of the strains of mint, which comprises mostly tropical plants that thrive in damp, humid conditions. This popular hedging plant can grow up to four feet tall with a three-foot spread.

Plant your Persian shield plant outdoors after the last frost of Spring has passed, and plant it indoors as a houseplant at any time. Persian shield plants prefer hot, humid conditions and thrive best in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, though they can survive year-round as indoor plants

This shrub prefers partial sun and damp conditions, and should not receive too much full sun or bright light in dry afternoons, which can cause wilting. If you choose to grow Persian shields in cooler climates, grow your plants in outdoor containers in the warm months, then bring them inside when the temperature drops too low.

You can container-grow Persian shield shrubs indoors or plant them as border plants for your garden. They can be propagated from seed or from stem cuttings, with cuttings taking root significantly quicker. For growing your own Persian shield plant, see the steps below:

1. 1. Make your cuttings. Cut a few leafy stems from an already-established Persian shield plant. Snip off a stem that is about three inches long, making sure you take a cut below a node. Remove the leaves from the bottom inch of your cuttings.
2. 2. Root your tip cuttings. Put your fresh cutting into a container of peat moss or room temperature water. Place a bag over the cutting and the pot to trap in moisture. For an hour a day, remove the bag from the cutting to let it breathe, preventing root rot. Misting your cutting every day will keep it hydrated. It should begin to grow roots in a couple of weeks.
3. 3. Choose your planting spot. Even though they thrive in warm temperatures, Persian shields cannot handle hours of direct sun. However, Persian shields grown in full shade will not be the same richly purple plants they could be. Your best bet is to find an area that gets part shade so your plants have the best balance of sunlight. You can also grow your Persian shield in a container so you can better control its growing conditions.
4. 4. Plant your cuttings. Once the roots of your cuttings have been established, you can plant them in your container filled with potting soil or your garden. Dig a hole deep enough to cover the roots and stand your cutting up in the soil. Back-fill your hole with soil, and water your plant immediately.

Persian shields are low-maintenance plants, but there are a few simple ways that you can set your plant up for success. Here are some care tips for your Persian shield to help ensure the healthiest plant foliage.

1. 1. Keep your plants in partial shade. A Persian shield’s iridescent purple leaves will fade and/or wilt if they are exposed to constant, direct sunlight. Keep your Persian shields in partial shade (or indirect light indoors) to keep your leaves vibrant and full.
2. 2. Prune your branches. Remove any dead or dying branches from your plant every growing season. Cutting back some branches every season can help you control the size of your plant.
3. 3. Fertilize every so often. Persian shields in your garden may benefit from a slow-release fertilizer a couple of times a year. If you’re growing your Persian shields in a container inside, they may need to be fertilized more often. Keep your soil slightly acidic, at a pH anywhere between 5.5 and 7.5.
4. 4. Keep the soil moist. Persian shields love high humidity, so you want to keep your soil moist. Mulch near the roots to keep your plant hydrated and prevent you from overwatering. You can also mist your plant with soft water every day.
5. 5. Keep an eye out for pests. Persian shields are naturally resistant to most pests, though aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and fungus gnats can eat away at your plant’s health. Use a natural insecticide like neem oil to safely get rid of these pests.

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