Plant Library

Description:

This shrub or subshrub is primarily grown for its stunning iridescent purple foliage; leaves have contrasting black veins and a silver cast when mature; pinch stems to promote bushiness; best foliage color in part shade

Features & Attributes

Persian Shield's attractive large glossy pointy leaves emerge deep purple, turning purple in colour with distinctive black veins and tinges of silver throughout the year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. It features dainty spikes of violet trumpet-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late fall to late winter.

This is a multi-stemmed evergreen houseplant with an upright spreading habit of growth. This plant can be pruned at any time to keep it looking its best.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Persian Shield can be expected to grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This houseplant will do well in a location that gets either direct or indirect sunlight, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It does best in average to evenly moist soil, but will not tolerate standing water. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

-- THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND IS NOT MEANT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER OUTDOORS IN OUR CLIMATE --