Is The Persian Shield Plant Poisonous?

Pinterest Hidden Image

If you are looking for a dramatic display of color for your summertime garden, you can’t go wrong with Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) as a container plant or bedding plant.

purple leaves of Persian Strobilanthes PlantPin
Strobilanthes dyerianus Persian Shield likes partial shade over full sun and moist soil

This evergreen perennial’s deep iridescent purple leaves with shimmering silver accents make a real statement:

… as a lush, exotic summertime presentation.

The leaves of the Persian Shield plant are large and impressive and may grow to be three inches wide and seven inches long.

They are marked by dramatic green veining and stripes. When planted in an ideal setting, plants may grow to be four feet high and three feet wide.

This plant is most prized for its splashy leaves, but its demure flowers can also be appealing. Persian Shield’s tiny violet flowers grow in clusters. They are unobtrusive, and some gardeners choose to simply snip them.

This pretty purple plant is a perennial in tropical climates but can be grown as a summer annual anywhere. It is also easy to keep as a houseplant year round.

Tips On Strobilanthes Persian Shield Care

For the tropical Persian Shield Strobilanthes plant to thrive, they must have warm temperatures and ample humidity. That’s why they are such an excellent choice for tropical settings, such as Florida, where they can prosper year-round.

While these plants are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 8 and above, they can do well as a summertime plant in non-desert settings, as long as they are provided with well-draining, rich moist soil, consistent watering and partial to full shade light exposure.

Persian Shield plants can grow in full sun but prefer partial shade.  

It’s a good idea to monitor the plant and pinch it back frequently to prevent having it become leggy. If this happens, it may topple over. Consistent trimming or pinching back will result in full, bushy growth.

In USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7, the plant may die back in the winter and return in the springtime. In locations that have extremely cold temperatures in the wintertime, you can either bring the entire plant indoors for the winter or take cuttings and grow new plants to replace the parent plant the following spring.

It’s extremely easy to grow the Strobilanthes Persian Shield from cuttings placed in water, so you can take many cuttings and give these pretty plants as gifts during the holiday season.

Is The Persian Shield Plant Toxic or Have Poison?

For the most part, Persian Shield is a safe choice for properties and households with kids, pets and livestock. There is no indication that this plant is toxic; however, some anecdotal accounts say that the sap can be irritating to your skin.

It’s always a good idea to protect your skin and to wash up after handling any plant. Persian Shield is no exception.

Whenever you pinch the Persian Shield Strobilanthes dyerianus plant back, take cuttings or otherwise handle it, wear garden gloves. Wash your hands after you have finished handling this plant.

The Persian Shield outdoors or as a houseplant – It’s Beautiful!

JOIN Our FREE Plant Care Newsletter 

By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time.