Expert: Long Island Gardener - 8/5/2011

Question
could you please tell me if this plant will survive the winter
outside or is this a plant that has to be brought in? I live in
eastern pa.

Answer
First the bad news: Shade-loving Persian Shield (aka 'Strobilanthes dyeranus' to botanists) sheds its leaves as South as northern Florida, when it goes dormant.  It returns in Spring. North of Zone 9, Persian Shield must be transferred indoors.  Alternately, it could be treated like a tender Annual -- in other words, Yes, you must bring it in.

University of Florida posts a cheat sheet on this popular plant from Burma that will give you all the details:

nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/newsletter/newsletters07/jan07news.pdf

Don't think it will be easy to get this plant through a cold season indoors, though.  This shrub NEEDS the steamy atmosphere that evoke its beginnings in the Burma jungle.  Heat plus H2O. Makes growing tropical Orchids look simple. Are you ready for that?

Now the good news: You can drug it into an induced coma that lasts thru the winter, into spring.  Persian Shields go dormant, then wait, until temps turn around in early Summer -- yes, early SUMMER.  We're not talking Spring flings here.  This is a Zones 9-10 native.  It doesn't just hate ice.  It hates all things chilly, which can be in fact deadly.  If you need a sweater, so does your Persian Shield.

Keeping any non-hardy plant dormant but not too cold, not too hot, for more than half the year is very tricky.  The time you spend on this balancing act is enormous.  That, to me, makes this Plan C.

Note, madam, that when it is dormant, Persian Shield Plants do not need to be watered.  If you love your plant THAT much, encourage.  Come Spring, your plant awakens, and all is well with the world.  If you need directions, let me know,

L.I.G.