Growing zones: Shiso grows in
Zones 1-11
as a summer annual. Hardiness: Shiso grows best in warm to hot climates in partial shade; it does not tolerate cold; it is not frost-hardy.
Can I grow shiso?
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.
Where do shiso leaves grow?
Shiso, otherwise known as perilla, beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, or purple mint, is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family. For centuries, growing perilla mint has been cultivated in
China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other Asian countries
but is more often classified as a weed in North America.
Is shiso hard to grow?
Shiso seeds are very tough and sturdy
. You can just seed them in your garden where you want them to grow, but they may take a long time to germinate that way, perhaps 3 to 4 weeks, and quite a few of the seeds may fail. To ensure that most of your shiso seeds germinate, soak them in water for 24 hours before seeding.
Does shiso grow wild?
Shiso, in the mint family, is easy to identify, delicious, and
has spread to grow in the wild
. It is often used in Japan as seasoning, in salads, for pickling, or wrapped around sashimi. I discovered Shiso in typical homesteading fashion. … In fact, our favorite sushi restaurant serves shiso leaves next to our sashimi.
Does shiso need full sun?
Shiso is typically started from seed. To improve germination, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing, and then sow the seeds outdoors right in your garden or raised bed.
The plant prefers full sun
but isn’t finicky about soil.
Is shiso annual or perennial?
Shiso is
perennial
and may be cultivated as an annual in temperate climates. Different parts of the plant are used in East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine.
What does shiso look like?
Shiso, the
aromatic heart-shaped leaf with a saw-toothed edge
, is probably most familiar to Americans as a sushi garnish. … Both the red and green leaves are slightly astringent. In addition to its traditional uses, we liked shiso tossed into salads as we would herbs such as mint or basil.
Is perilla and shiso the same?
Perilla is actually the term for a number of different species of
plants in the mint family
. The Japanese use shiso, which is smaller and mintier than the broad, rounded perilla leaves favored by the Koreans. The flavor of perilla, grassy with notes of anise or licorice, is pleasing like any other herb.
How do you eat shiso?
- battered and served as tempura;
- used in pickles such as Umeboshi;
- the seeds can be used as a garnish;
- leaves can be wrapped around sushi;
- dried leaves can be powdered and used as a garnish;
- oil can be distilled from the dried leaves (the oil is used in Korean cooking);
How tall does shiso get?
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Shiso grows well in medium to rich, sandy soils. PLANT HEIGHT:
18-30′′
. PLANT SPACING: 6-12′′.
What grows well with shiso?
Shiso can grow up to 36 inches tall, but trim it regularly so you’ll have a shorter, bushier plant that doesn’t go to seed as quickly. Shiso makes a good companion for
tomatoes
in the vegetable garden, and bees and butterflies love the tiny flowers that appear on the plants in late summer and early fall.
What is shiso plant used for?
The ornamental green (or, less commonly, red-purple) leaves are in the mint family and are often used to
provide a refreshing garnish to fish, rice, tempura, soup and vegetable dishes in Japanese cooking
.
Is red shiso edible?
Used in Asian cooking, sushi and salad mix. Red shiso adds brilliant color to radish pickles and umeboshi plums. Also known as perilla.
Edible Flowers
: The flowers are a flavorful addition to salads and Asian dishes.
Is purple shiso edible?
Asian friends, who call the plant shiso, prize it greatly and often ask for sprigs. As a member of the mint family, it has a decidedly minty taste — along with something more — and is used not only to flavor many dishes but also to color them. … Regular, purple-leafed perilla is
often used in making sushi or sashimi
.
When should I plant shiso?
Outdoor planting time: Sow shiso seed outdoors
after all danger of frost has passed in spring
and nighttime temperatures are warmer than 45°F (7.2°C). Planting depth: Set seed 1⁄4 inch deep but do not cover; seeds require light to germinate. Spacing: Space shiso plants 10 to 12 inches (25-30cm) apart.
