Persian shield

When caring for a Persian shield, water your plant when the top inch of the soil is dry, about every 3-5 days. It is best to water your plant early in the morning or late in the evening in order to avoid evaporation. The frequency and amount of water you give your plant will depend on the regional climate conditions and the size of the pot that your plant is living in. Also, mix a few inches of organic material such as peat moss or compost into the soil for optimal drainage. When you water, the soil should become evenly moist but not soggy.

Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) prefers full or partial sunlight for optimal growth. For best growth and colouring of the leaves, the ideal amount of sunlight this plant requires is 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. During spring and summer, it's best to give your Persian Shield at least 5 hours of sunlight, and in the winter months, 4 hours is sufficient. When growing Persian Shield indoors, place the container in a bright spot, but not close to a window, as the leaves may scorch when exposed to too much light.

Persian shield typically does not need to be pruned. However, if you feel the need, wait until the plant has finished flowering and trim back any damaged or dead stems. After the plant has been in bloom, you may remove about 1-third of the stems to make the plant bushier. Prune carefully and avoid removing the growth nodes, as this will damage the plant and reduce the flowering of the Persian shield. Pruning should generally be done in the late spring, early summer months when the new growth of the season begins to emerge.