The scientific name of this Persian shield plant is Strobilanthes diaria, also known as Royal Purple Plant. This Persian shield plant is an evergreen shrub up to 1 meter tall and 3.3 feet wide.
The leaves of the Persian shield plant have sharp sword-like edges. The plant is grown for its green foliage with purple stripes radiating from the veins between the leaves. This plant has purple flowers.
This Persian shield plant is commonly grown as a houseplant. Plants are planted in a potted nursery in spring in soil warmed by summer heat and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11.
This plant proliferates in hot and humid climates. The Persian shield plant is the first choice plant for the garden.
History
The scientific name of this Persian shield plant is Strobilanthes diaria, also known as Royal Purple Plant. The plant is native to Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Acanthus is a species of flowering plant in the Acanthaceae family.
Persian Shield Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Strobilanthes dyerianus
- Common Name: Persian shield, the royal purple plant
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Plant Type: Annual, perennial
- Bloom Time: Fall, winter
- Soil Type: Rich, moist
- Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
- Sun Exposure: Partial and full
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Width: 2–3 ft
- Plant Flowers Color: Purple
- Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (USDA)
- Native Area: Asia
Types of Persian Shield
If you like Persian shields and want to know its types, there is no specific type, but Strobilanthes is a genus of over 350 species found mostly in Madagascar and tropical Asia.
This species is grown as a houseplant or ground cover, including several waffle plant varieties, including ‘Snow White,’ ‘Red Flame Ivy’, and ‘Belgian Waffle.’
[1] Belgian Waffle
The waffle plant is commonly known as the red ivy or purple waffle plant. This plant has beautiful green oval leaves and white flowers that bloom during summer. This plant is used to make garden beds and is grown in containers. These plants are planted in the nursery in spring.
- Common Name: Belgian Waffle, Purple waffle plant, red ivy
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Mature Size: 6 in. tall, 8 in. wide
[2] Snow White
Aglaonema snow plants have green leaves with white stripes. This plant is a houseplant. This plant makes the garden very decorative. Aglaonema snow, also known as Chinese evergreen, usually belongs to the Araceae family.
- Common Name: Aglaonema Snowflake
- Family: ORACEA
- Maximum Reachable Height: 1-2 meters
How to Grow & Care
A container with drainage holes is taken for planting this Persian shield plant so that excess water can be removed and the roots are not damaged too much.
Give this plant regular water and food to grow well. Use synthetic fertilizers as needed. Do not overuse chemical fertilizers.
This Persian shield plant is easy to care for. This plant cannot function as an evergreen shrub in areas with winter frosts, requiring temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the cool zone of the middle, the color of its leaves is glossy, while the summer heat lightens the color of its leaves. They are planted in potted nurseries until nighttime temperatures do not exceed about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Persian shield plants do not flower before the onset of winter. Most gardeners do not bother with the flowering of these plants. The tops of the plants are cut back before flowering to encourage better growth and more foliage.
This plant thrives indoors during winter. It is important to keep the soil dry during winter as it does not require much water during winter.
Light
Persian shield plants need soft light. This plant requires about 4 hours of direct morning daily and prefers direct sunlight in cooler regions.
This plant does not tolerate the heat of summer afternoons and prefers partial shade. If you keep it indoors, it needs more light, so you can keep it in east and south windows to get direct sunlight.
Water
How much to water the Persian Shield plant depends on the location of the plant you are planting. If you are growing it in a shaded area, then it will not need much water, but if you are growing it outside in the garden, it should be watered regularly.
Water this plant 2-3 times a week. If the plant does not get enough water, its leaves start to fall off, and regular watering leads to good foliage growth.
Soil
The best soil for Persian shields grows best in soil that is well-drained and rich in nutrients. This plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
Fertilizer
Persian shield is a foliage plant, and nitrogen is an important nutrient in foliage plants, so nitrogen fertilizers such as a 12-6-6 mixture are used. Fertilize this plant before the growing season for good leaf development. Fertilizing them every 2 to 4 weeks is recommended.
Temperature and Humidity
Persian shield performs as an evergreen in USDA zones 10 and 11 and as a standard perennial in zones 8 and 9. This plant likes warm temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If your plant grows indoors, make sure it has a humid environment. Hot air can cause its leaves to dry.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Persian shield plants are not susceptible to most diseases and pests. Pests such as aphids and whiteflies, spider mites and mealybugs are common when these plants are grown in the garden or indoors. We use horticultural oil to protect these plants from pests.
Pruning
This plant is grown for its beautiful, attractive foliage. Persian shield has purple flowers that are not particularly noticeable due to the vegetation.
Most gardeners pinch off the small tops to make it a full plant so that it becomes an evergreen, and if you leave it to grow on its own, it can get tall and fail. Remove dead and old leaves from under this plant to allow new foliage to grow.
FAQ
[1] Why is my Persian shield fading?
Persian shield leaves cannot tolerate direct sunlight, so keep them in a partially shaded area, as natural light can dry out their leaves or kill the plant.
[2] Is Persian Shield a good houseplant?
Persian shield is an evergreen foliage plant with purple-colored leaves that makes a good houseplant.
[3] Why is my Persian shield dying?
The Persian shield was not watered regularly, or it will dry out quickly and die after a while. To prevent this from happening, keep a humid environment around this plant and water it on time. By doing this, the plant will quickly return to its original state.
[4] How do you make a Persian shield bushy?
Pinch the stem of this plant from the back to make it a shrub. Water when the soil is dry and allow the soil to dry out a little more during the winter.