Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
Strobilanthes dyerianus, Persian shield, offers stunning iridescent purple foliage. A low-maintenance tropical evergreen for zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The dazzling iridescent foliage is the hallmark feature of the Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus). This tropical evergreen shrub creates spectacular year-round color, making it a prized specimen in warmer climates and a vibrant annual elsewhere. Its ovate leaves are flushed with silvery-purple iridescence above, contrasting beautifully with the darker purple undersides.
As a soft-stemmed subshrub native to Southeast Asia, Strobilanthes dyerianus thrives when given consistently moist, rich soil. While it can handle full sun, especially in cooler summer regions, slightly shaded locations often intensify the famous metallic sheen of the foliage. It is widely celebrated for its low maintenance requirements, adding high visual impact with minimal effort.
Gardeners in borderline zones appreciate the flexibility of Strobilanthes dyerianus, growing it as an annual bedding plant or nurturing it through winter as a container specimen or houseplant. Whether providing bold color contrast in a rain garden or serving as a dramatic focal point on a patio, the Persian shield truly lives up to its regal common name.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Acanthaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Myanmar, India, China
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-3 ft
- Spread: 1-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Violet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Strobilanthes dyerianus in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, situating it in an organically rich, well-drained soil. This plant prefers medium moisture and consistently likes to stay damp, making it suitable for rain gardens or areas where soil moisture is reliably maintained. Best foliage color develops when plants receive part shade, though full sun is acceptable in cooler summer climates.
Water needs are medium, requiring regular irrigation to keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. To encourage bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy, pinch back stems as needed, especially when growing it as an annual bedding plant. Fertilizing lightly throughout the summer months can support vibrant leaf production.
In climates outside USDA Zones 10-11, Strobilanthes dyerianus must be protected from frost. In these regions, plants should be grown in containers for easy movement indoors before the first hard freeze, or managed as annuals that are replaced each spring. If overwintering indoors, place the Persian shield in a bright, sunny room.
As overwintered plants age, their woody stems may diminish the quality of the foliage color. To refresh your stock, take cuttings from overwintered plants for spring planting, or take cuttings in late summer specifically for overwintering the following season.
Landscape Uses
The primary role of the Persian shield is providing dramatic, year-round structural color, either used as an annual bedding plant to fill gaps or as a container specimen. Because it prefers moist conditions, it integrates beautifully into rain garden designs where it can naturally absorb extra water runoff. Its striking leaves make it an excellent spiller or filler in mixed patio containers alongside complementary textures.
Use the deep, reflective purple of Strobilanthes dyerianus to contrast sharply with chartreuse foliage plants or bright white annuals in borders. Due to its tropical origins, it lends an exotic flair to shade borders where its iridescent quality catches filtered light effectively.
For container gardening, select pots that allow for regular watering, as containers dry out faster than garden beds. Treating Strobilanthes dyerianus as a houseplant ensures a splash of color during the winter months, provided it receives adequate indoor brightness.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Strobilanthes dyerianus, commonly called Persian shield, is native to Burma (Myanmar). It is a soft-stemmed, tropical, evergreen shrub or subshrub that is grown primarily for its attractive iridescent purple foliage. Features ovate-lanceolate dark green leaves (to 8” long) that are flushed with silvery-purple iridescence above and dark purple beneath.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
The main concern when growing Strobilanthes dyerianus indoors, particularly during the long overwintering period, involves monitoring for pests. Gardener should watch closely for spider mites, which thrive in the dry, stagnant air often found inside heated homes. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves and promptly treat any infestations with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to keep the Persian shield looking its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Persian shield suitable for?
The Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11. In cooler regions, it must be grown as an annual or brought indoors for winter.
How large does Strobilanthes dyerianus grow?
In its native tropical environment, it can reach 3-4 feet tall, but it typically maintains a smaller stature of 1 to 3 feet in height and spread in cultivated settings.
When does Persian shield bloom?
It is noted as a seasonal bloomer, occasionally producing spikes of tiny violet, funnel-shaped flowers, though blooming is relatively infrequent, especially when grown outdoors during the standard summer season.
What sun exposure does Strobilanthes dyerianus need?
This plant prefers full sun to part shade; however, gardeners often find that part shade best enhances the silvery-purple iridescence of the foliage.
Conclusion
The dramatic, iridescent foliage ensures that Strobilanthes dyerianus remains a high-impact, low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking vibrant texture and color. Whether utilized as temporary annual color or carefully overwintered as a houseplant, the Persian shield offers exotic beauty. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility today—if you are in Zones 10 or 11, plan to incorporate this stunning specimen early this spring.
Propagation Tips
Taking cuttings is the easiest and most effective way to maintain healthy specimens of Strobilanthes dyerianus year after year. Softwood cuttings taken in late summer are ideal for propagating plants destined to be overwintered indoors. Ensure cuttings have several nodes and are placed in sterile, moist potting mix or water until roots develop.
If you successfully overwinter your plant, you can take additional cuttings in the spring, either for planting outside as new annuals or to start fresh container plants. Pruning back leggy growth during propagation also helps stimulate the bushy habit desired for the Persian shield.
Companion Planting
When utilizing Strobilanthes dyerianus as a tropical accent, pair it with plants that share similar needs for moist, rich soil and tolerate partial shade. Good companions include Caladiums, which offer contrasting textural leaf patterns, or brightly colored Impatiens for seasonal flower color saturation. In containers, mound the Persian shield in the center and trail silvery or chartreuse groundcovers around the edges to amplify color effects.
