My sister-in-law had a beautiful annual this summer. I liked it so much that I wanted to see if I could root a clipping to plant and save during the winter. (I live in Zone 5). I have two questions:

1) What is this plant? (Photo attached).
2) How do I root it so that I can plant and save it? At this time, I'm trying to root a clipping in water. It looks bright for a day, but by the second day, the clipping gets limp and droopy.

Thanks for your help!

The leaves remind me of Plectranthus Mona Lavender. If that is the case, it's a perennial that will root in soil.

Spur Flower (Plectranthus Mona Lavender)

Edited for link

Looks kind of like Persian Shield to me. Which the database lists as a perennial.

I agree, Persian Shield.

Could you please tell us what the flowers looked like (if it had any in the summer) ?

It may be annual where you live, meaning it's not going to survive through the winter, but I have a plant that has very similar leaves to that and it is a large perennial shrub with purple leaf reverses like that.



If this is your plant, they do root from cuttings in water, but it depends upon what stage of growth the plant is at when you take the cuttings. I've had the best success rooting them in spring, but in Florida where I live they bloom in winter.

The leaf directly over the glass clearly shows the Persion Sheild pattern in addition to the squared stem.
If you click on the Persian Sheild plant name directly above the photo, you can scroll down past all the images and there are several member comments which include rooting tips.

It looks like my persian shield after getting too much sun. Its got That darker greenish color to it, maybe ... not darker just more of it on the entire plant . Prior to the over sun exposure it was alot more purple and through out the entire plant. It was drop dead gorgeous then.
I just love persian shields and 1 of mine looks so sad right now. I almost think he is in a state of shock, idk why his leaves are deteriorating each day more and more with this yucky looking brown color that almost looks like burn but not and no black looking colors at all just brown .. idk what to do but she was my mommy plant and I think I am losing her.. ; (
Good luck with your plant!! Id like to know how he does for you. Mine loved the heat , not quiet all day sun either. Mine love the hot shsde, morning sun till about noon. Depending on how hot it was that day. I have alot of time on my hands and I didn't mind moving him . around the patio through out the morning anyways after that warm shade for the remaining of each day. Ill add a pic of mine before and after if i can find one of before. .. my gallery isnt all saved to my new phone yet.
I couldn't find a photo of my persian shields still potted but I found pics after I propagated it so you can see the colors








[]this is now








Susanping I wanted to add one more pic. Its my persian shields after about 6/7 weeks of rooting in a vase in my window and on nice days Id set him outside in warm shade. All i did was cut very nice pieces about 8 inches long no less than 6 inches so i read. The stems i used wasv from my plant . I cut the stem as nice as possible dipped in rooting hormone and i put cling wrap on the top of my vase already filled with water poked small holes and stuck my stem through the hole. I keep him very warm and this is what i ended up with.. if you need to add water a few times i believe that is fine through out my process I may have added a cup . It dont lose much and also will not smell bad unless I guess something was wrong.
I just want you to have all information. Some people perfer to root soil Im currently trying now for a first time to root lucky bamboo in soil. Im sure it works as well . Good luck to you .

Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I looked up the plant and it looks like a Persian Shield to me too. I fell in love with it on my sister-in-law's deck this past summer. It was so unusual and beautiful.
I hope I can get it to root in water. Right now it's drooping so I might cut the stem I have and try again. Is the best place to cut just above a leaf node? I read that some where online.

I wish I could give all of you acorns, but I don't have any.