General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Annual
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Plant Height: 24-36 inches
Plant Spread: 12 to 14 inches
Leaves: Good fall color
Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Fragrant
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Flower Color: Pink
Purple
Other: deep burgundy
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall
Uses: Culinary Herb
Medicinal Herb
Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Leaves
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: self sows to extreme suggest dead heading most plants - self pollinates
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Shiso
  • Chinese Basil
  • Beefsteak Plant
  • Rattlesnake Weed
  • Japanese Basil

Photo Gallery
Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA
Date: 2015-09-02
Location: Beautiful Tennessee, my garden
Date: 12-18-2017
Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2009
'Moonlit Seas'
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House grounds)
Date: August 13, 2022
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6-?, "A Greek
Location: B. Everett Jordan Dam/lake park Chatham county, North Carolina
Date: September 25, 2023
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6 —?, "A Gr
Location: Hiking Trail In Fairfax :-)
Location: Indiana  Zone 5
Date: September
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House grounds)
Date: August 13, 2022
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6 —?, "A Gr
Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA (my garden)
Date: 2015 Aug 9
Color of leaves varies depending on soil/sun conditions.
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House grounds)
Date: September 18, 2022
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6 —?, "A Gr
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-02-19
Location: central Illinois
Date: 9-22-11
Location: B. Everett Jordan Dam/lake park Chatham county, North Carolina
Date: September 25, 2023
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6 —?, "A Gr
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House grounds)
Date: September 18, 2022
Shiso #306; RAB page 925, 164-34-1. AG page 407, 82-6 —?, "A Gr
Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2020-02-28
Location: Indiana  Zone 5
Date: September
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-09-27
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-02-22

Date: 2013-10-05
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date: august 2015
Location: Akron, OH
Date: 2017-07-17
Looks great with just about anything green :)

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2018-03-31
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-10-22
Location: In my garden NC zone 7
Date: Spring
Perilla in the garden
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2014-08-15
dark leaves
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2010-09-19
Spent blooms developing into seed pods
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2010-09-19
Location: central Illinois
Date: 8-17-07
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2013-05-08
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2011-09-15
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2010-09-09

Courtesy Outsidepride
  • Uploaded by Joy

Courtesy Outsidepride
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2016-09-16
Location: IL
Date: 2014-06-23
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Dec 3, 2011 3:23 PM concerning plant:
    Makes contrasting colors really stand out. Re-seeder, self-seeder w/ potential to become invasive. Edible leaves and seeds often incorporated into oriental dishes. (In 2009, Pepsi introduced a seasonal flavored drink called Pepsi Shiso in the Far East, Shiso being an oriental reference to Perilla). Perilla also yields a dye. Added to pickled foods where it acts as an antimicrobial agent. Rich in minerals and vitamins and has anti-inflammatory properties; used in folk medicine to battle common cold.
    After bloom, plant has a significant growth spurt.
    Easy to propagate by cuttings or seed.
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Dec 12, 2011 1:54 PM concerning plant:
    There are red and green perillas. The red perilla has red-purple leaves and an anise flavor and is less spicy than the green variety. It is used frequently in Chinese cooking in fish stews. The green perilla has a flavor somewhat like cinnamon and is more commonly used in Japanese and Korean cuisines.
Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms On March 7, 2020 Seeds sown
purple; winter sow
lovesblooms On February 20, 2018 Seeds sown
wintersown
antsinmypants On April 15, 2023 Plant emerged
Several volunteer seedlings in pots.
antsinmypants On May 27, 2022 Transplanted
Into larger container.
WebTucker On August 15, 2022 Obtained plant
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