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Description
SPerilla frutescens var. crispa. Green Perilla shiso seeds make a wonderful addition to any herb garden. This profoundly flavourful culinary herb is used across south and east Asia, and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Relatively unfamiliar to many Western gardeners and cooks, its distinctive, broad, round leaves combine with Thai basil, cilantro, mint, and other powerful leafy herbs. This hardy annual can grows to 60cm (24) tall. Shiso is a heat loving plant that thrives in summer as basil does, in well drained soil in full sun. Pick leaves as needed in summer, and then harvest the flowering tops in late summer. Harvest the open pollinated seeds in early fall for planting the next year.
| Latin Name |
Perilla frutescens var. crispa |
| Days to Sprout | 14-20 days |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Exposure |
Full-sun |
| Usual Seed Life | 1 Year |
| Seed Type | F1 Hybrid |
TIPS: Shiso does best in full sun to partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil. Allow transplants to become established, and then grow as you would basil — pinch growing tips regularly to produce bushier plants with more leaves. Water regularly, more so in hot weather. If growing in containers, mix equal parts potting soil and composted fine bark. Orchid bark works well.
