Perilla spp.

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SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Overview

Perilla spp. is a small genus of aromatic annual herbs in the mint family, native to East and Southeast Asia and known mainly through Perilla frutescens, the culinary herb called shiso or beefsteak plant. Plants grow upright on square, branching stems 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) tall, with broad, ovate, sharply toothed leaves 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long that are green, deep purple, or bicolored and often deeply crinkled. The whole plant is strongly scented, with an aroma that varies by type from cinnamon and anise to a more herbal note. In late summer and autumn slender spikes carry many small white to pinkish-purple flowers, followed by tiny round nutlets. The genus is grown as a leaf vegetable and seasoning across Korea, Japan, and China, and the purple-leaved forms are also used as bedding and container foliage plants. Plants are frost-tender and complete their cycle in one season, setting abundant seed that germinates readily the following spring. In parts of North America P. frutescens has escaped cultivation and naturalized along roadsides and woodland edges. The foliage contains perilla ketone and related compounds that are toxic to cattle and horses when grazed in quantity. Plants grow quickly in warm weather and wilt rapidly if the soil dries out.

Native Range

Perilla spp. is native to East and Southeast Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, India, and surrounding regions. It is widely cultivated as a culinary herb and has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere along roadsides, fields, and woodland margins.

Suggested Uses

Perilla spp. is grown in herb and vegetable gardens for its edible leaves and in beds and containers for its purple or green foliage. It suits warm-season plantings and mixed borders where its color and scent add interest.

How to Identify

Look for upright square stems with broad, toothed, often crinkled leaves in green or deep purple, giving off a strong aroma when crushed. Late-season spikes carry rows of small white to purplish flowers. The mint-family stem, aromatic foliage, and purple or green coloring distinguish it from similar herbs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering occurs in late summer and autumn, roughly August through October, as day length shortens. Slender spikes hold many small white to pinkish-purple two-lipped flowers that draw bees. Tiny nutlets ripen afterward and self-sow freely.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pinkish-purple

Foliage Description

green to deep purple

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Perilla spp. grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soil and responds to warmth and steady moisture. The genus is frost-tender and is sown after the last frost once the soil has warmed, either started indoors and transplanted or direct-sown. Plants grow quickly and benefit from pinching to stay bushy. Regular water keeps the foliage from wilting in heat. Self-sown seedlings appear readily the next season and can spread where not wanted. Few pests trouble the aromatic foliage, though slugs may graze young plants.

Pruning

Pinch growing tips through summer to keep plants branched and leafy and to delay flowering for a longer leaf harvest. Remove flower spikes to limit self-seeding. Plants are pulled at the end of the season as they die with frost.