Strobilanthes Species, Persian Shield

Strobilanthesauriculatus var. dyeriana

Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Strobilanthes (stroh-bil-AN-theez)
Synonym
Perilepta dyeriana
Perilepta macclellandii
Strobilanthes dyerianus
Strobilanthes maclellandi
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Velvet/Fuzzy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Bronze
Dark/Black
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anniston, Alabama

Auburn, Alabama

Bessemer, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Daphne, Alabama

Dutton, Alabama

Irvington, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Montevallo, Alabama

Opp, Alabama

Yarnell, Arizona

Benton, Arkansas(2 reports)

Little Rock, Arkansas

Alameda, California

Berkeley, California

Brentwood, California

Clayton, California

Clovis, California

Corona, California

Encinitas, California

Escondido, California

Hayward, California

Hesperia, California

Livermore, California

Lompoc, California

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Martinez, California

Menlo Park, California

Merced, California

Rosedale, California

San Diego, California

San Francisco, California

San Leandro, California

Santa Clara, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Van Nuys, California

Vista, California(9 reports)

Bartow, Florida

Big Pine Key, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Bradley, Florida

Brooksville, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Clearwater, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Deltona, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fountain, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Interlachen, Florida

Inverness, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida(3 reports)

Keystone Heights, Florida

Labelle, Florida

Lake Mary, Florida

Largo, Florida

Maitland, Florida

Miami, Florida

Mulberry, Florida(2 reports)

Naples, Florida

Niceville, Florida(2 reports)

North Fort Myers, Florida

North Palm Beach, Florida

Ocala, Florida(2 reports)

Oldsmar, Florida(2 reports)

Orange Park, Florida

Palm Bay, Florida(2 reports)

Pensacola, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Port Charlotte, Florida

Port Orange, Florida

Port Saint Lucie, Florida(2 reports)

Ruskin, Florida

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Sebring, Florida

Seffner, Florida

Spring Hill, Florida

Tallahassee, Florida(2 reports)

Tampa, Florida

Tavares, Florida

Vero Beach, Florida

Wellborn, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Brunswick, Georgia

Buford, Georgia

Dallas, Georgia

Fitzgerald, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Woodbine, Georgia

Haiku, Hawaii

Kihei, Hawaii

Chicago, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Elgin, Illinois

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Palatine, Illinois

Indianapolis, Indiana

Davenport, Iowa

Barbourville, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Chalmette, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana(2 reports)

Mandeville, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana(2 reports)

Pearl River, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Davidsonville, Maryland

Pittsville, Maryland

Charlotte, Michigan

Harbert, Michigan

Deer River, Minnesota

Bay Springs, Mississippi

Mathiston, Mississippi

Saint Louis, Missouri

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Brooklyn, New York

Ronkonkoma, New York

Southold, New York

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Rowland, North Carolina

Stedman, North Carolina

Carrollton, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Bray, Oklahoma

Enid, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

New Galilee, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Regina, Saskatchewan

Conway, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Augusta, South Carolina

Prosperity, South Carolina

Memphis, Tennessee

Sweetwater, Tennessee

Alice, Texas

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas(4 reports)

Boerne, Texas

Brazoria, Texas

Carrollton, Texas

Dallas, Texas(4 reports)

Floresville, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Houston, Texas(6 reports)

Irving, Texas

Kingsland, Texas

Montgomery, Texas

New Caney, Texas

Pasadena, Texas

Port Lavaca, Texas

Richardson, Texas

Round Rock, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(5 reports)

Sealy, Texas

Snook, Texas

Spring Branch, Texas

Sugar Land, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Church Road, Virginia

Woodbridge, Virginia

Federal Way, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

45
positives
12
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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L
L
Mission Bend, TX | June 2018 | positive

I had 2 of these in separate pots on my SW Houston area (9b) patio and they were doing wonderfully until last week when something has dec...Read More

S
Greenfield, IN (Zone 6a) | February 2017 | positive

I thought this plant was so beautiful, that surely it wouldn't grow in my area( Piedmont NC) LOL! But surprisingly, when I put some in a...Read More

E
E
Sealy, TX | October 2016 | positive

This is my 5th year with Persian Shield in my shady flower bed. I originally bought five 6" plants from Houston Lawn & Garden. I didn't k...Read More

P
Mulberry, FL | July 2016 | neutral

I'm having the worst luck with this plant. I planted it in the yard last year (from Home Depot) and it died quickly.

I am ...Read More

A
Palm Bay, FL | July 2016 | positive

I bought the persian shield last year at Walmart as a small plant. now one year later it is huge 3' x 3' . Doing very well in full sun al...Read More

S
Regina, SK (Zone 3b) | April 2016 | positive

this is one of those rare foliage plants whose leaves manage to be vivid without being garish.
It cant be beat as focal point of a...Read More

B
Nokomis, FL | December 2015 | neutral

We fell in love with this plant in Costa Rica! We didn't know its name or whether it could be grown in our 9b Florida area. We typically ...Read More

H
Auburn, AL (Zone 8a) | July 2015 | positive

Its started to be perennial in zone 8 now or at least I and several others have noticed this.

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | May 2015 | positive

Does well here in Boston as an outdoor summer container plant/bedding annual. Some sun is necessary here to bring out the stunning violet...Read More

L
Mulberry, FL (Zone 9b) | May 2015 | positive

I found this beautiful plant in a garden that I visited last week and got a real nice picture of it. I tried to find the plant at Home De...Read More

G
Savannah, GA | September 2014 | neutral

This is a dieback herbaceous perennial in coastal SE Georgia for shadier sites with a rich, well-drained soil.

S
Alameda, CA (Zone 9b) | March 2014 | positive

I have this plant in a large container in bright shade. It winters over easily here and is vigorous and beautiful. Since it is known to...Read More

S
between Clearwater & Largo, FL (Zone 10a) | July 2013 | neutral

My Persians were going great. To thin them out, I transplanted 3 to a spot that gets morning to mid-day sun (depending on the season). ...Read More

I
Bessemer, AL | July 2013 | positive

This plant is tougher than I expected after reading up on it.
It has here (Alabama) done well once established. Seems to have dee...Read More

G
| July 2013 | positive

I'm interested to hear if other garden ears have found this plant dies after flowering? In Melbourne last year a whole lot of them flower...Read More

B
Hayward, CA | February 2013 | positive

Usually a plant like this,when its rated "9a" on Dave's Garden? almost always means a Florida 9a. I was surprised to see mine take the Ca...Read More

S
Ocala, FL (Zone 9a) | October 2012 | neutral

I don't have this plant in my garden yet- but plan to get some really soon. I hope that they will like the partial to full shade area I ...Read More

C
C
HARBERT, MI | July 2012 | positive

As a landscape architect, it's critical to my continued business to have the "coolest, oddest, and rarest" plants in my customer's garden...Read More

P
Opp, AL (Zone 8b) | May 2012 | positive

I had 4 of these in my yard in various places last year and they are all still alive this year. This is my favorite plant with the most ...Read More

A
Dallas, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2010 | positive

I have grown this plant off and on for 35 years. It is the plant that people will stop and ask the name of, a real attention getter. ...Read More

U
Miami, FL | April 2010 | neutral

I actually have a question. How will this plant do near a hot tub (about 5ft away) in a raised planter above a parking garage? I doubt m...Read More

D
Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) | January 2010 | positive

One of my all-time favourites! It's grown as an annual here in my northern climate. I've had success growing it in containers - it thri...Read More

D
Natick, MA | October 2009 | positive

I keep a large pot of robust Persian Shield as a houseplant, underplanted with maidenhair fern for a beautiful color contrast. Monthly 1...Read More

J
J
Divernon, IL (Zone 5b) | February 2009 | positive

Contrary to it's listed need of shade I've grown it where it gets more sun than not and it has performed well, even attained large size. ...Read More

J
Dallas, GA (Zone 7b) | September 2008 | positive

I have had my Persian shield for 3 years it is planted in the ground and has been root hardy in zone 7b. I have it growing under a large ...Read More

W
Eastern Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) | September 2007 | positive

If you want an attention getter, this is it! I saw this in a catalog a year ago and never bought it, while browsing the local garden cen...Read More

D
D
Woodbridge, VA | October 2006 | positive

Got my Persian Shield at Home Depot this summer after seeing two of the plants at a neighbor's. I fell in love with the plant on the spo...Read More

S
Federal Way, WA (Zone 8b) | October 2006 | positive

I purchased two large Persian Shield plants at Home Depot, without even considering how it would fare in the Seattle, WA area. They were ...Read More

T
Ramona, CA (Zone 9b) | August 2006 | neutral

Thanks for all the tips about the best locations for PS's.

I saw the persian shield in a magazine and fell in love with ...Read More

S
Saint Louis, MO | May 2006 | positive

I picked up about ten of these stunning beauties from a local nursery, where traditional summer annuals were being bought buy the dozens ...Read More

T
Davidsonville, MD | February 2006 | positive

"thymetogarden" Annapolis MD (Zone 7a)
This plant is a "must have." I have had it in two places, both providing morning sun with ...Read More

J
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) | June 2005 | positive

Persian Shield is very easy for me to propagate. I just break off limbs when it gets leggy and stick the end of the limb into soil in a ...Read More

S
S
New Galilee, PA (Zone 5b) | June 2005 | positive

I first found this plant last year at Wal-Mart's Garden Center entitled "Persian Splendor". I tried to look it up under that name and co...Read More

3
3
Deland, FL | February 2005 | positive

I have had my Persian Shield for 4 years. From reading all the above, I would say you have to try a spot before planting to see if that...Read More

J
J
jnn
Pittsboro, NC (Zone 7b) | January 2005 | positive

This is a beautiful plant. It is planted as an annual in Zone 7, but we are experimenting with the plant and took clippings early this fa...Read More

K
Niceville, FL (Zone 9b) | January 2005 | neutral

I got two persian shields for mothers day from my boyfriend.
They were very full and a beatiful purple I transplanted them to big...Read More

D
Tallahassee, FL (Zone 8b) | January 2005 | positive

I found my plants at a local nursery. They were dying (in full sun) and were big sticks with bitty little leaves sticking out the top. I ...Read More

B
Tyler, TX | June 2004 | neutral

I live in Tyler TX (Zone 8) and my persian shield grew so fast and was so beautiful and colorful from the time I placed it in the ground ...Read More

M
M
Belleview, FL | June 2004 | positive

I just bought four of these beautiful plants for my garden, but I'm having a problem with finding out information on the shrub. I'm unsur...Read More

M
McDavid, FL | June 2004 | neutral

i bought 2 persian shields from home depot a couple of months ago.now they are dieing i put them out for morning sun hoping it would brin...Read More

M
| May 2004 | positive

I did not know anything about this plant when I first bought it, and put it in a pot with petunias, in the full sun. It did very well! ...Read More

R
Dallas, TX | May 2004 | positive

I live in Dallas and have had one plant that is under a couple of Live Oaks come back two years in a row. The area is somewhat shielded,...Read More

R
| October 2003 | positive

I live in New Zealand and have found this plant to grow inside really well. Unfortunatly we are a busy family and it does get a bit negle...Read More

J
| October 2003 | positive

I bought a 1 gallon pot at Walmart for $5.oo. It was overgrown so I immediately divided it into 3. That was about two months ago. All ...Read More

K
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) | August 2003 | positive

I live in North Florida and planted two of these in the full shade of a juniper tree back in early May. I pruned them a little late, aro...Read More

B
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 9b) | August 2003 | positive

BEAUTIFUL plant, almost irridescent leaves. I am totally confused, though. Some say only part shade others say only part sun. My mother g...Read More

C
Watauga, TX (Zone 8a) | August 2003 | positive

I love this plant! I have it growing with Coleus, Painted Nettle; they are stunning together. Also they like the same part shade, soil re...Read More

C
Labelle, FL | August 2003 | positive

I love it. It grows w/ little or no attention, although it does like to be shaded from mid-summer, south Fl. sun. Is frost resistent, but...Read More

C
| August 2003 | positive

After not seeing a specimin of this for many years, I ran across an apt.bldg. with 3 huge bushes of it out front! This was in downtown At...Read More

N
N
Dallas, TX (Zone 8b) | July 2003 | positive

I planted it in the shade and it is doing very nicely. I have one plant in dappled shade and it seems to be losing its deep purple, howe...Read More

R
Interlachen, FL | May 2003 | neutral

OOOOOOOOH! This plant was one of my favorites; however; after reading others' comments, I realize now that I planted her wrong. I live in...Read More

S
Mississauga, ON (Zone 6a) | May 2003 | positive

A fabulous plant in the garden & a real attention grabber. Looks good with almost any other plant, but particulary terrific with lime gre...Read More

V
V
Marietta, GA (Zone 7a) | March 2003 | positive

This plant is a must for any large garden area with moderate sun. Easily grown and insect resistant it gives great iridescent color throu...Read More

J
J
Spooner, WI | September 2002 | positive

I found a 2" pot with a small start of this beautiful foliage plant at a small rural nursery in May 2002. The owner did not know what it...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | positive

Flower is insignificant, but foliage is a gorgeous metallic purple, very showy. Keep pruned at about 24". Prefers full sun to partial s...Read More

M
| July 2002 | positive

I love this plant. It practically glows in the garden. I have grown it under pine trees for two summers in dry conditions and it has done...Read More

D
D
Franktown, CO (Zone 5a) | August 2001 | neutral

Sow seed at 55°-64° F (13°-18° C) in spring. Root basal or softwood cuttings in early spring or early summer. Has short spikes of fun...Read More

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