You can trim back Persian shield hard now to control the size and make the plant bushier, or to remove any cold damage that may have occurred. Cut the plant down to the point where you want the plant to sprout and produce new growth. Pinch or trim back as needed any time during the summer growing season.

Why is my Persian shield leggy?

Your plant can get leggy as it gets older, during the winter, or if it needs to be repotted. If pinching back does not discourage the leggy habit, consider repotting. For the winter months, pinch off flower stalks and occasionally pinch back excess stem growth.

How do you make a Persian shield bushy?

One of the appeals of a Persian shield plant is its natural bushiness. However, you can make it even bushier in appearance by pinching the stems back every now and then. Soil for your plant should have a basic pH level of 5.5.

Does Persian shield come back?

It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 but is more commonly grown indoors or as a summer annual in cooler climates. In zone 9, and during mild winters in zones 7 and 8, Persian shield may die back to the ground after frost but remain alive and regrow the following season.

How do you save the Persian shield?

Persian Shields are best kept in reliably moist soil, as inconsistent moisture levels may result in stunted growth and an unhappy plant. Allow the compost's top third to dry out in between waters in the growing period, reducing this further in the autumn and winter.

Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) care and propagation

32 related questions found

How do I overwinter my Persian shield?

When overwintering keep the plant as a potted or container plant in a bright and sunny location. Some sources say that this plant is hardy from USDA zones 8 to 11. However, it may die back late in the autumn in zones 8 and 9.

Is Persian shield perennial?

Persian shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus, is a dramatic addition to any garden. With iridescent purple leaves, Strobilanthes dyerianus is a tender perennial that makes a dramatic addition to any garden.

Will Persian shield root in water?

The cutting will start to root at the cut location and each node submerged in water. Meanwhile, the plant will grow fuller with two new leaves at the pruned location.

Why is my Persian shield turning green?

It will sunburn and bleach if given too much, so just a little more light and not too much. Stress may help it color up more too. You can do this by not fertilizing it and let it completely dry between watering. Let it go fairly dry, but not too dry that it damages leaves.

What plants look good with Persian shield?

Persian Shield Plant Growing Preferences

A good group of companion plants could include Ferns, Caladiums, Lambs Ears, Silver Plectranthus, and Impatients. Another great idea is to grow them among red or purple flowers or foliage that will enhance the colors of the Persian Shield.

Is Persian shield poisonous to dogs?

Is The Persian Shield Plant Toxic or Have Poison? For the most part, Persian Shield is a safe choice for properties and households with kids, pets and livestock. There is no indication that this plant is toxic; however, some anecdotal accounts say that the sap can be irritating to your skin.

Is Persian shield poisonous to cats?

Q: Is Persian shield plant toxic to cats? A: It does not show up on any toxic lists that I can find, but that doesn't mean it is something that a pet should be allowed to eat. Most plants at minimum cause mild stomach distress to cats.

Can Persian Shield grow in shade?

Wonderfully adaptable, Persian shield grows in sun or shade. When grown in full sun, especially in hot climates, it needs regular watering to keep it from wilting. Make growing Persian shield easier by spreading a 3- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over the soil around the plant. ... You can prune Persian shield at any time.

What does pinch back stems mean?

By pinching back, you force the plant to grow twice as many stems, which results in a fuller plant. ... By pinching the plant, you are forcing the plant to focus on re-growing lost stems rather than growing height.

How do you root Persian shield?

How to Propagate Persian Shields Successfully at Home

1. STEP 1: CUT A PIECE FROM A BRANCH TIP. Find a healthy branch and cut a tip off so that the piece is around 3 inches in length. ...
2. STEP 2: REMOVE BOTTOM LEAVES AND PLACE IN MEDIA. ...
3. STEP 3: TRANSFER ROOTED CUTTING INTO SOIL. ...
4. STEP 4: PLANT OUTDOORS AND KEEP WELL WATERED.

Is Persian shield fast-growing?

Characteristics Of Strobilanthes Dyerianus

The Persian Shield is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed perennial from the family Acanthaceae. 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.

Should I mist my Persian shield?

Persian shield propagation is done through seed or cuttings. Take 2 to 3 inch (5-8 cm.) ... Mist the medium and place a bag over the cutting. Remove the bag for one hour daily to keep the cutting from molding.

Is Persian shield easy to propagate?

Persian shield are easy plants to propagate because they are relatively hardy, fast growers. You can start with very small plants and by the end of the season have very sizeable specimens to fill your garden bed.

Is Persian shield a coleus?

Coleus may be the go-to foliage plant for some gardeners, but Persian shield is a stunning foliage plant that works equally well in summer gardens.

Is Persian shield drought tolerant?

Needing very little care, it is drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and relatively pest-free. Not hardy beyond Zone 10, so it may be cut back hard in late fall, potted up, and brought inside.

Why is my plant turning purple?

When you notice a plant with purple leaves rather than the normal green color, it is most likely due to a phosphorus deficiency. All plants need phosphorus (P) in order to create energy, sugars, and nucleic acids. ... If the soil is cool early in the growing season, a phosphorus deficiency may develop in some plants.

How do you care for an outdoor Persian shield?

Outdoor plants

It is best not to place Persian shield in full sun in our area. Rather, give it a partial shade location with a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch over the soil around the plant and regularly water in hot weather.

How do you prune a Persian shield plant?

You can trim back Persian shield hard now to control the size and make the plant bushier, or to remove any cold damage that may have occurred. Cut the plant down to the point where you want the plant to sprout and produce new growth. Pinch or trim back as needed any time during the summer growing season.

Do deer eat Persian Shield plants?

Persian shield (Strobilanthes) has a leaf texture deer avoid, along with Shirley poppies (Papaver rhoeas) and ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), in all sizes. ... A bonus is that it seems to be a deer resistant annual.