Royal Purple Plant Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana

Persian Shield is noted for and grown for its showy foliage. Its silvery iridescent sheen can coat the foliage, creating a metallic look.  It's a soft-stemmed, tropical, evergreen shrub or sub-shrub.  The leaves are a variegated dark green deep pink or purple blotching with silvery-purple iridescence and dark purple on the underside.  It can be grown as a perennial in warmer climate zones, 8b and warmer.   In other zones, it can be planted as an annual.  It is not an evergreen in locations that experience frost. 

Cool temperatures and low lighting conditions can reduce the color of the foliage, giving the plat a sort of washed out appearance.  As the plant ages, it can also lose its brilliant coloring.  It grows best when planted in a rich soil and located in an area that receives bright light with no direct sunlight.  To promote a more bushy appearance, pinch back the stems.  

Although a flowering plant, it is not grown for the flowers.  The tiny flowers will bloom in the winter months when grown as a houseplant or outdoors in zones 10 and 11.   

It makes an excellent container plant, however, over time, it will need to be repotted into a larger container.  A larger container will also encourage larger growth.  A 3 gallon (11.36 liters) container would be a good choice.  Ensure that the container has good drainage.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Provide good drainage.  Watch for red spider mites and fungus gnats when grown indoors.