Persian Shield Plant (Strobilanthes dyerianus) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems
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Strobilanthes dyerianus also called Persian Shield Plant, Royal Purple Plant or Bermuda Conehead is among purple-leaved plants and features finely-toothed, dark-green foliage with bright, metallic-purple stripes radiating outward from the central leaf vein. The common name, 'Persian Shield', is in reference to the leaves which resemble feudal battle shields.
Royal Purple Plant is an erect, evergreen shrub whose purplish foliage declines with age. The old plants are straggly, the color fades and the foliage becomes silvery with dark veins. At this stage discard the old plants and replace with new plants which you can propagate from stem-tips cuttings.
Botanical name: Strobilanthes dyerianus
Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Persian Shield Plant, Royal Purple Plant, Bermuda Conehead
Origin
Strobilanthes dyerianus is native to Myanmar. The species name "dyerianus" is in honour to the English botanist Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843-1928).
Is Strobilanthes dyerianus toxic?
Yes. Strobilanthes dyerianus is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. Keep the plant away from children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Persian Shield Plant to your collection, you may obtain them from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Strobilanthes dyerianus Care Indoors
To care for Strobilanthes dyerianus indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-240C, humidity of 50-60% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Persian Shield Plant requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to encourage a bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth. Young plants require annual repotting but mature plants are repotted when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water my Persian Shield?
Do not water Strobilanthes dyerianus on a schedule to prevent either overwatering or underwatering as both have negative effects on plant growth. Instead water your plant on a 'need basis' as we have explained below.
Water Persian Shield Plant liberally in spring and summer until water flows out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, wilting and leaf loss.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop and brown leaf tips and edges.
Use tepid (room temperature) water to prevent cold shock which can lead to stunted growth and leaf loss. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining, to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant.
To prevent the soil from absorbing too much water, discard any excess water from the bottom saucer after watering. Take care not to wet the foliage to prevent spotting of the leaves as well as minimize fungal diseases infestations.
Light Requirements
How much light does a Persian Shield Plant need?
Persian Shield Plant needs bright indirect light (filtered light); place it infront of a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves.
Inadequate light for Strobilanthes dyerianus will lead to loss of leaf dolor, and a thin, leggy plant with wide spaces between leaf nodes. Therefore, if the natural lighting is insufficient, consider investing in full spectrum grow lights to complement it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Persian Shield Plant thrives in a warmth of 18-240C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like radiators, hot air vents, heaters, open doors, drafty windows, Ac units among others to prevent temperature flactuations which can result in reduced growth, drooping, yellowing, shrivelled leaves and leaf drop.
Strobilanthes dyerianus prospers in a humidity of 50-60%. Too low humidity will result in brown, crispy leaf tips and edges. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Do not mist the leaves and maintain proper air circulation to depress fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Persian Shield Plant every 2 weeks with a balanced, liquid fertilizer in spring and summer to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Strobilanthes dyerianus should be a rich, free-draining soil to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is great for this plant.
Repotting
Repot the young Persian Shield Plant annually at the beginning of the growing season. The mature plants need to be repotted only when they become pot-bound.
Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to avoid waterlogging which can lead to rotting. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Persian Shield Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.
To control the height of the plant and encourage bushyness, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Strobilanthes dyerianus Propagation
Persian Shield Plant is best propagated at beginning of the growing period from stem-tip cuttings.
Propagating Persian Shield Plant from Stem-tip Cuttings
The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for a rooting hormone.
- Take a stem-tip cutting of about 4-5 inches from a healthy plant and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves and some leaf nodes.
- Insert 2-3 inches of the stem in moist, free-draining soil. Use a small pot that has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.
- Place the pot in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until when new growth emerges on the cutting.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting into a pot 1 size larger, after which you can begin routine care.
Strobilanthes dyerianus Problems & Remedies
Persian Shield Plant problems are plant dying, leggy growth, brown leaf tips & edges, loss of leaf color, spotted leaves, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Plant dying
Why is my Persian Shield dying?
Your Persian Shield is dying due to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Remove the plant from its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Cut away brown-black, mushy roots as they indicate root-rot. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Select a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, well-lit spot.
- Withhold watering until when new growth appears, avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Persian Shield Plant is caused by too little light, underwatering, nutrients deficiency or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is insufficient.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely for a long period.
Nutrients deficiency Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer.
Aging: With age, this plant becomes leggy. Cut it back to rejuvenate growth or propagate new plants from stem-tip cuttings.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Persian Shield Plant are caused by too low humidity, soggy soil, underwatering or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Low humidity:To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Soggy soil: Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Loss of leaf color
The purple Persian Shield leaves may lose their beautiful color due to too little light. Bright indirect light is necessary for color development.
How to fix it
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if the natural light is inadequate.
Spotted leaves
Spotted leaves on Persian Shield Plant are caused by cold water droplets falling on the leaves during watering. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering or water from the bottom instead.
Pests
Common pests on Persian Shield Plant are spider mites, fungus gnats, aphids and whiteflies.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity to discourage the pests.
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