Green Shiso
Annual herb growing to 60cm which is popular in sushi or micro greens. Also known as “Perilla”. Bushy with decorative green foliage. The roundish serrated leaves have an amazing flavour. Mild mint/basil aroma. Also good for ornamental use. Leaves show best colour contrast when grown in temperatures below (29ºC).
Shiso has a very similar growing season to basil, and performs just as well in containers as in the garden bed. Provide full sun and well drained soil.
When to Sow:
Cool Climate: mid OCT – DEC (heat mat aides germination)
Temperate: SEP – NOV
Sub – Tropical: AUG – NOV
Tropical: APR – SEP
Arid: AUG – OCT
Spacing – 30cm
Perilla frutescens var. crispa, also known by its Japanese name shiso, is a cultigen of Perilla frutescens, a herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to the mountainous regions of China and India, but is now found worldwide. The plant occurs in several forms, as defined by the characteristics of their leaves, including red, green, bicolor, and ruffled. Shiso is perennial and may be cultivated as an annual in temperate climates.
