Acanthaceae Plant Care: Water, Light, Nutrients

Acanthaceae

Also known as

Redflame

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Strobilanthes reptans

Genus

Strobilanthes

Family

Acanthaceae

Order

Lamiales

How to care for Acanthaceae

💦 Water

How often to water your Acanthaceae

Acanthaceae needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Acanthaceae in your home

Acanthaceae may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Acanthaceae in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Acanthaceae

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Acanthaceae: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Acanthaceae after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Can this Persian Shield recover? I ordered this Persian shield from Etsy. The USPS took its sweet time getting it to me (11 days) so I was beyond shocked when I finally received it and it was not dead. I left it as was under a grow light for a few days to let it acclimate but it appeared to be unable to un-smoosh itself and open its leaves. It looked to me like it was way too crowded so yesterday I repotted it. I only went 1/4” bigger than the pot it came in and spaced out the plants that weren’t entwined by the roots just a tiny bit. It looked great right after and last night but today it looks TERRIBLE. It’s back under the grow light and on the pebble tray but man does it look sad. Has anyone had one bounce back from this level of repot shock? Is there anything I can do to help it other than leave it alone? First pic is right after repot, last 3 are this morning. #PersianShield #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #helpmenotkillit

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Acanthaceae prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Acanthaceae may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

💨 Humidity

Acanthaceae doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

🪴 Soil

Acanthaceae does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Acanthaceae should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

🌎 Native Region

Acanthaceae is native to Asia and Madagascar.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.