Tropical Burmese (Myanmar) perennial with striking iridescent metallic purple-and-green leaves marked with silver. Foliage is the entire ornamental point — flowers are insignificant.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H2 | 1 °C to 5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 4–7 | 0 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to Myanmar (Burma) — despite the common name has no connection to Persia
- Tolerates dappled shade — the foliage colour is most intense in part shade rather than full sun
- Frost-tender — perennial only in zone 9 and warmer, grown as warm-season foliage annual or houseplant elsewhere
- Pinch out tips for bushy compact growth
- Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.
Categories
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Cross-check Persian shield against your zones