Persian shield is a low-maintenance plant. To encourage bushiness, pinch the stems back.
In the winter, keep the soil a little drier by watering the plant when the top couple of inches (5 cm) of soil are dry.
One of the most crucial Persian shield care guidelines, especially for potted plants, is fertilization. Feed with a half-dilution of liquid plant food every two weeks. Feeding should be stopped in the fall and winter.
Keep an eye out for mites and dirt gnats. Horticultural soap and soil changes can be used to tackle these issues.
How do you care for a Persian shield?
Your royal purple plant will thrive in soil with steady, balanced watering. When the top couple of inches of soil are dry, which is usually twice a week indoors, water (and may be more often outside).
Indoor gardeners should keep an eye on their soil moisture on a frequent basis, especially during the winter when we’re all running our heaters.
Persian shield can also be grown outside, but make sure the soil is kept regularly moist and mulched to prevent the soil moisture from evaporating.
This is a high-humidity plant that thrives in damp conditions. Place your pot on top of a tray of pebbles and water to increase this. The water will evaporate, making the air more humid. For a similar effect, outdoor growers can place water basins adjacent to their plants.
How often should I water my Persian shield?
Persian shield plants need to be kept moist at all times. Twice a week, water them thoroughly and evenly. The top six inches of soil should be kept damp all of the time. Increase the amount of water you give the soil if it becomes dry between waterings. Mulch can assist keep the plants moist if they’re being grown outside.
Because moisture is so important for keeping the leaves from wilting, spritzing them with water on a daily basis is highly suggested.
Can Persian shield take full sun?
Persian shield thrives in both the sun and the shade. It requires constant watering when planted in full sun, especially in warmer areas, to keep it from wilting. Spread a 3- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over the soil around the Persian shield plant to make it easier to grow. This helps to keep the soil cool and moist for a longer period of time. If you grow Persian shield in pots, you can do the same thing!
Use a general-purpose fertilizer to fertilize Persian shield in the spring. For information on how much and how often to fertilize, refer to the package instructions.
Persian shield can be pruned at any time. Pinching it back every now and again promotes the plant to grow fuller and bushier, especially in the shade.
In Zone 10, Persian shield can be used as a landscape shrub. Grow it as an annual in other places.
How do you keep the Persian shield purple?
Light. In partial shade, Persian shield will absorb light and reflect it back onto its leaves. It requires intense light to maintain its color if maintained indoors.
Should I mist my Persian shield?
This wonderful plant is simple to share with friends and family. Seeds or cuttings are used to propagate Persian shields. Cutting just below a growth node, cut 2 to 3 inch (5-8 cm) portions off the plant’s tops.
Remove the bottom leaves and place the cut in a non-soil medium like peat. Mist the medium and cover the cutting with a bag. To keep the cutting from molding, remove the bag for one hour each day. The cutting will sprout roots in a few weeks, and you can replant it in potting soil.
How do you bring a Persian shield back to life?
When Persian Shield becomes leggy in the spring, cut it back. In the spring and summer, pinch off the tops of the stems to stimulate branching for a bigger, bushier plant. Pruning tip: Just after a node, cut a stem at an angle (the place where a leaf is attached to the stem). Cutting the stem here will push it to branch out.
When should I repot my Persian shield?
Fittonia, Hypoestes, and Zebra Plants are all members of the Acantha family, which also includes Persian Shields. With this in mind, your specimen may begin to send out flower spikes in late spring, with many flowers contained within the bracts. Persian Shields, unfortunately, are unlikely to blossom due to poor growing circumstances, and are consequently planted mostly for their foliage.
Repotting
Repot in the spring every three years, using a potting mix labeled “Houseplant” and the next sized pot with proper drainage. Due to the increased danger of root rot and repotting-related concerns (such as transplant shock), Persian Shields are significantly better potbound for several years. Only repot if absolutely required.
If you’d want a personal guide to repotting your houseplant, book a 1-on-1 video call with Joe Bagley.
Will Persian shield root in water?
Purple plants, in particular, have always appealed to me, even before it became Pantone’s color of the year. Purple fountain grass and Persian shield are two of my favorites. It’s easy to see why when you see those iridescent purple leaves!
Persian shields (Strobilanthes dyerianus) are really a show-stopper in my garden, bringing color and interest throughout the year. I propagate cuttings from the one plant I bought a few years ago in early spring instead of buying new plants every year (because they’re annuals in my zone).
Stella is her name. This plant spends the entire year indoors, and I utilize its cuttings to propagate new plants for outdoor containers and to give away to friends and family. There’s no bigger win for this crazy plant lady than saving money and obtaining new plants! Here’s how to do it:
Step 1:Cut a 2-3 piece from the tip of a branch above a leaf node.
I came across multiple websites recommending to cut slightly below a leaf node when researching how to spread Persian shield. However, based on my own experience, I’ve discovered that the optimal reaction – for both the plant and the cutting is directly above a node.
The cutting will begin to root at the point where it was cut, with each node submerged in water. Meanwhile, the plant will fill out with two new leaves at the trimmed place, making the plant fuller.
The cutting rooted fine when I followed the Internet’s directions and cut just below a node, however the plant’s stem was stunted and failed to continue developing. The good news is that most plants are tolerant of mistakes. If you cut the wrong area and end up with a stub, you can typically rectify it by cutting the stem lower down in the correct one.
Step 2:Remove all leaves from the bottom of stems and place in water.
Instead of directly planting cuttings in soil, peat, or sand, I submerge them in water until roots grow. Instead of using rooting hormone, I simply lay the cuttings near a bright, warm window. Make sure to change the water every two to three days, and roots should appear in approximately a week.
Step 3:Transfer to soil.
I (perform a joyful dance and) place these vulnerable newborns in little pots of soil to strengthen and thrive when the roots are about 1/21 long.
Fill the container with potting mix to approximately an inch below the rim, making sure it has drainage holes. With your finger, poke a hole in the earth and insert a cutting into it, firming the soil around the stem. Once all of the cuttings have been planted, give the pot a good drink, drain it, and return it to the sunny window. Continue to water the soil as needed to keep it moist.
Step 4:Plant outdoors.
When the Persian shield cuttings have outgrown their little pots and the danger of frost has passed, they can be planted outside in containers or straight in the ground. When they’re first released outside, they’ll be a little shocked, but with time, they’ll adjust and thrive.
Purple fountain grass, pink pentas, and lime green sweet potato vine adorn this one. (Learn more about outdoor container gardening here.)
Despite the fact that Persian shield can withstand the sun, it is best to provide some shade to keep its beautiful foliage.
What plants go well with Persian shield?
I have other tropicals in a raised bed, so the plant can grow into the earth and get plenty of water.
Ferns, Caladiums, Lamb’s Ears, Silver Plectranthus, and Impatients are all ideal companion plants.
Another fantastic idea is to plant them among red or purple flowers or foliage to complement the Persian Shield’s colors.
During the summer months, this plant can be planted in the garden, but don’t let it get too chilly.