Persian Shield Seeds: Harvesting & Propagation Guide

Do you know Persian Shield is also famous as the Royal Purple plant?

Persian Shield’s elegant purple leaves with silvery metallic sheen must be the reason why it earned its Royal stature.

But it is saddening when it compromises aesthetic beauty to produce seeds so it can pass on its legacy.

Generally, Persian Shield produces flowers that bear tiny brownish seeds around March. For successful germination, sow seeds 0.25 inches deep in moist soil and provide bright indirect light while maintaining a temperature of at least 60°F at all times.

Although it is rare for Persian Shield to produce seeds indoors or in the garden, it is not impossible.

Moreover, you can rely on stores to get some and propagate them with a little extra care and attention.

So, please continue reading to discover how and when to collect the Persian Shield seeds and start their germination journey.

Persian Shield Seeds Overview

Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) is famous for its dark green iridescent leaves with metallic purple stripes.

Did you know Persian Shield got this name because its leaves resemble feudal battle shields? 

This sizzling beauty hails originally from Myanmar (Burma), not Persia, like in its name.

This stunning plant is known for its exotic, vibrant foliage, not for its flowers. Because when flowering starts, it dedicates all energy to flowers, making them look pathetic.

Maybe it is a way of nature balancing beauties; its pale purple-blue flowers are less attractive than their leaves.

Those incomparable flowers start blooming around late autumn and give seeds during late winter.

Let’s look at a brief guide about Persian Sheild Seeds.

Despite the difficulties in harvesting seeds from indoor or garden Persian Shield, growing via seeds is slightly easy when provided with conducive environments.

With optimal conditions, you can start growing Persian Shield from seed straight away in ideal soil or store them in a dry, cool jar for future use.

How to Collect Persian Shield Seeds?

Providing a luxurious home for older Persian Shield is more likely to blossom with a possible chance of producing seeds.

A Horticulture report shows the Persian Shield’s blooming is very sporadic.

After the end of fifteen weeks of experimentation, only five out of sixty plants blossomed. Furthermore, it suggested that it bloomed quickly when a plant received eight hours of light at a cool temperature (17°C/14°C).

So, place your Persian Shield in full sun to partial shade in a garden to promote healthy flower growth and viable seeds.

To keep up with energy consumption, spread a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch over the soil to provide enough nutrients.

Remember, Persian Shield is very sensitive to frost, so you must ensure the temperature does not drop below 55°F.

Generally, Persian Shield produces seed pods that you can collect in late winter if you do not cut the flowers.

Many say those collected seeds did not turn out useful, but it is worth trying with the best efforts.

Besides, you can buy Persian Shield seeds from various local or online stores. However, it is pretty uncommon to find them.

However, if your plant did bless you with flowers, keep your eyes on them with proper care.

Steps to Harvest Persian Shield Seeds

Here is a detailed stepwise guide for harvesting Persian Shield plants seeds carefully.

Step 1: Collect the Seed Pods

Even if the flowering of the Persian Shield is sporadic, it will bloom around early winter.

So, seedpods will be ready around late winter or early spring. You can take them off from the stem and collect them in a paper or bag.

Step 2: Extract the Seeds

• Take out the seeds either using your finger or with a pair of tweezers.
• Place a clean white paper underneath to collect the seeds.
• Ensure you subtly pick out all seeds from the seedpods.

You may rinse the seeds with clean water and dry them afterward to store them for future use.

Can You Grow Persian Shield from Seed?

Despite abnormal rarity to find and difficulties in cultivating Persian Shield seeds, you can grow Persian Shield from seeds.

Most gardeners and plant parents prefer stem cutting to propagate Persian Shield. 

It is mainly because stem cutting is faster, easier, and accessible, whereas seeds require longer time and are rarely available. 

Nevertheless, Persian Shield won’t disappoint you if you got seeds and planning to have a full-fledged shield.

So, before getting started, gather these essential materials to germinate Persian Shield seeds.

Step 1: Prepare the Seed and Potting Mix

Whether the Persian Shield seeds are freshly extracted or preserved, you can presoak them to boost germination.

Furthermore, use lukewarm water to soak the seeds and let them rest for 24 hours before planting.

Interestingly, presoaking can trigger the sleeping seeds and make them ready for germination.

For seed starter mix, use an aery, well-draining mix with perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite.

Otherwise, you can buy seed starter mix from any one of the certified stores. 

Step 2: Sowing Seeds in the Germination Tray

Generally, the best time for germinating the Persian Shield is spring or late winter.

• Disinfect the germination tray and fill it with starting mix up to 70% of tray height.
• Sow the seeds on the soil about 1/4inches deep and barely cover them with potting mix.
• Add 2 to 3 seeds per compartment for a greater chance of germination.
• Sparingly water the seeds using a spray to moisten them.
• Put a plastic cover on the tray to maintain the constant humidity level.

Step 3: Care for Persian Shield Seeds During the Germination

Do not forget that Persian Shield seeds require optimal conditions to germinate. So, ensure you’re giving them the right conditions.

Here are the necessary care requirements for seed germination.

• Let the seeds rest in bright indirect sunlight, or use grow lights a few inches away from the seeds.
• Maintain constant temperature around 55 to 65°F and humidity above 50%. Seeds won’t germinate if the temperature falls too low.
• Use a heating pad under the tray if you live in a colder region to maintain a stable temperature.
• Ensure to keep the soils moist by misting them with a mister daily. But do not overwater them as they may rot with excess moisture.
• Do not fertilize during this period as every necessary nutrient are available in the starting mix.

Persian Shield seeds generally germinate in 2 to 3 weeks, so sit tight and carefully follow the care routine until then.

Be patient until the seedling grows a few pairs of leaves, and then transplant them to a separate pot.

Prepare a potting mix with organic fertilizer for transplanting, and use a six-inch pot. 

Use your hands to take seedlings out from the tray gently and put the seedlings at 1/4 inches below the soil surface.

Tips to Take Care of Persian Shield Seedlings After Germination

You are almost there with this delicate process of germination. Now, all you need to do is lead seedlings to their adulthood.

So, here is a few seedling requirements after germination.

• Ensure the seedling receives a minimum of eight hours of bright indirect sunlight. However, do not expose seeds to direct sunlight till now as it leads to leaf burn.
• Place your plant sapling on a warm windowsill, usually a few feet away from a south-facing window.
• Use a mister to water and keep the topmost layer of soil moist but not soggy. Also, ensure to water sparingly during fall and winter.
• Fertilize in a month with balanced liquid fertilizers after diluting them to their half strength.
• Ensure to keep the soil pH neutral or slightly acidic (5.5 – 7.5).
• Maintain temperature ranges above 60°F with hot, humid air. Ensure consistent temperature at all times.
• Watch out for pests like spider mites and aphids. Apply soapy water or use neem oil to prevent them from coming.
• Trim off the infected parts of the plant as soon as you find them and use insecticides and fungicides to treat the infection.

Watch the video for more propagation tips,

Conclusion

Persian Shield is an undeniable aesthetic plant popular for its shimmering purple foliage with a silvery metallic sheen.

Due to the rare availability of seeds and plants sporadic blooming nature, Persian Shield is not an easy plant to grow from seeds.

Having said that, once your plant blooms, follow this guide to harvest and germinate seeds correctly.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Find out more about the other 30 impressive purple plants for Indoor Garden.