Shiso

Perilla

Think of shiso like a coleus for sun. In fact, it’s closely related to coleus and serves the same role — to add colorful foliage and an exotic feel to beds, borders, and containers. Some varieties of this plant, though, are treated as an herb and eaten. Others are grown as colorful ornamentals that thrive in both shade and sun. It can be difficult to find in some garden centers, but is becoming more commonly available. Some types of shiso will self-seed in the garden.

Light: Part sun, Shade, Sun

Type: Annual, Herb

Height: Under 6 inches to 3 feet

Width: To 2 feet wide

Foliage color: Purple/Burgundy

Seasonal features: Spring bloom, Summer bloom

Special features: Fragrance, Good for containers, Low maintenance

How to Grow Perilla Shiso

Growing perilla mint plants are summer annuals which do best in warm, humid climates.

When cultivating perilla, its downfall is its limited seed viability in storage, so store seeds at lower temperatures and humidity to improve the storage life and plant before they are a year old. Seeds for perilla plants can be sown as soon as possible in the spring and will self pollinate.

Plant perilla seedlings 6-12 inches apart in well-drained but moist soil with full to partial sun exposure or direct sow them in well-drained soil and lightly cover. The shiso seeds will germinate rapidly at 68 degrees F. (20 C.) or even a little cooler.

Perilla Shiso Care

Perilla shiso care requires a medium amount of water. If the weather is exceedingly warm and humid, the plants’ tops should be pinched back to encourage bushier, less rangy plant growth.

Flowers of the growing perilla mint bloom from July to October and are white to purple, attaining their maximum height of 6 inches to 3 feet tall before dying off during the coming frost. After the first year of growing perilla mint plants, they will easily self-seed in successive seasons.