Perilla Shiso Green

(1 customer review)

$4.49

Perilla Frutescens

  • Seed Count 200
  • Culinary Herb
  • Annual

 

In stock

Description

Perilla Shiso Green is the typical green leaf variety of Perilla used extensively in Japan and all over Asia to season vegetables, rice, soups, fish, etc. The leaves make for exquisite decoration. It is finely sliced with ginger and added to salads, sautéed vegetables, sashimi, tempura and sushi. An attractive and aromatic culinary herb which tastes like a cross between mint and basil and is an excellent addition to salads and garnishes.

Perilla can be grown just to baby leaf stage or left to grow to maturity: the taste is best appreciated raw in salads and sandwiches. This savory herb can be used in place of basil, even as a pizza topping. Wrap around rice balls, cheese or salmon. Chop and mix with ginger root in stir-fries or sprinkle over a hot steak. It is great for sauces and can be used dried to flavour rice.

It is worth noting that Perilla is a very attractive plant often grown simply for its ornamental value. Both green and red varieties resemble a coleus plant. This attractive herb is an excellent addition to an herb garden or can be used as an ornamental in containers or in the border. It has a pleasant odour and is easy to grow. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and the foliage will last all through summer and into autumn.

For best growing results, mix the seeds with an equal quantity of moist sand and refrigerate for a week.

Find your Climate Zone

Method: Sow direct
Soil Temp: 18°C - 30°C
Cool Mountain: Sep - Nov
Position: Full sun
Arid: Sep - Nov
Row Spacing: 50cm apart
Temperate: Sep - Mar
Planting Depth: 3 mm
Sub Tropical: Aug - Apr
Harvest: 85 days
Tropical: Apr - Aug
Plant Height: 60cm

Climate and Soil Requirements

 Climate:

  • Perilla thrives in warm, temperate to subtropical climates. It grows well in most parts of Australia, except for extremely arid or cold regions.

 Sunlight:

  • Prefers full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours of sunlight daily).

 Soil:

  • Well draining, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5.
  • Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter before planting.

 Water:

  • Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Perilla is drought tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering.

Cold Stratification for Seeds

Why stratify:

  • Perilla seeds have a hard outer coat that can delay germination.
  • Cold stratification mimics winter conditions, softening the seed coat and triggering germination.

Steps:

  • Place seeds in a damp paper towel or moist sand inside a sealed plastic bag.
  • Refrigerate at 1–5°C for 1–2 weeks.
  • After stratification, sow seeds directly into the garden or seed trays.

 Propagation:

 Timing:

  • Sow seeds following the guide in the product description

 Depth:

  • Sow seeds 3 mm deep.

 Spacing:

  • Space plants 50 cm apart to allow for growth.

 Germination:

  • Seeds typically germinate in 7–14 days at 18–30°C.

 Planting and Care

 Transplanting:

  • If starting indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors once they have 2–3 true leaves and the risk of frost has passed.

 Mulching:

  • Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

 Fertilising:

  • Use a balanced, fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

 Pruning:

  • Pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering if you want to prolong leaf production.

Pest and Disease Management

 Pests:

  • Watch for aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars.
  • Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations occur.

 Diseases:

  • Perilla is generally disease resistant but can be affected by fungal diseases like powdery mildew in humid conditions.
  • Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting

 Leaves:

  • Harvest leaves as needed once the plant is 15–20 cm tall. Younger leaves are more tender and flavourful.

 Seeds:

  • Allow some plants to flower and set seeds if you want to save seeds for the next season.

 Storage:

  • Fresh leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • They can also be dried or frozen for long term storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

 Basil:

  • Shares similar growing conditions and deters pests like aphids.

 Tomatoes:

  • Perilla can repel certain pests that affect tomatoes.

 Eggplant:

  • Benefits from perilla’s pest repellent properties.

 Beans:

  • Fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting perilla.

 Cucumbers:

  • Perilla can help deter cucumber beetles.

Plants to Avoid

 Mint:

  • Can compete aggressively for space and nutrients.

 Fennel:

  • May inhibit the growth of perilla and other plants.

 Tips for Success

  • Rotate perilla with other crops to prevent soilborne diseases.
  • Avoid overwatering, as perilla is susceptible to root rot.
  • In cooler regions, grow perilla in pots and move indoors during winter.

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