Strobilanthes dyeriana (Persian Shield)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Strobilanthes dyeriana
- Common names: Persian Shield

Background & Origin
Persian Shield originates from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and is widely cultivated for its spectacular metallic foliage. Despite its common name, it is not native to Persia. In its natural tropical environment, it grows in warm conditions where moisture and humidity help maintain its lush leaves. It is particularly prized as an ornamental plant for its purple, silver and green colouring.

Care Level
- Care level: Moderate
- Suitable for beginners: Yes, if care instructions are followed.

What It Loves
- Bright, indirect light
- Warm temperatures
- Consistently lightly moist soil
- Moderate to high humidity

What It Dislikes
- Harsh, direct midday sunshine
- Completely dry compost
- Cold draughts and sudden temperature changes
- Very dry indoor air

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Office
- Conservatory

Growth Potential
- Height: Approximately 30–90cm indoors
- Spread: Around 30–60cm
- Growth rate: Moderate to fast in warm, bright conditions
- Growth habit: Upright, bushy and branching
- Pruning: Pinch out growing tips to encourage a fuller shape. Remove leggy stems and faded leaves as needed.

Is This Plant Right for You?
This plant is a great choice if you:
- You love bold, colourful foliage rather than flowers.
- You want a plant that makes an instant visual impact.
- You can provide a warm spot with bright, indirect light.

Light
- Best light: Bright warm spot out of direct . Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn.
- Avoid: dark spots.

Watering
- Frequency: Water thoroughly but allow top 2 inches to dry out between waterings.
- Seasonal note: Reduce watering in winter when growth slows to almost none.

Humidity
- Prefers: Loves Humidity!
- Extra humidity helpful?: Yes, misting or placing near other plants can support healthy leaf growth.

Feeding
- Feed with: A balanced houseplant fertiliser
- Frequency: Once or twice a month during growing season during spring and summer. No feeding is needed during autumn and winter.

Toxicity
- Pet safe: Yes
- Notes: Keep out of reach of pets and small children to avoid damage to the leaves

Repotting
- How often: Once every two years!
- Signs it’s needed: Roots growing out of the drainage holes, slower growth, or soil drying very quickly. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering.