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Growing Shiso: Quick Facts


Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, shiso is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family.  Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing shiso, also known as perilla.


Jump to:

Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading


What Family Does Shiso Belong To?

Shiso (Perilla frutescens) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.


Some of its relatives include lemon balm, lavender, and catnip.


What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Shiso?

The minimum container depth recommended for shiso is 6 inches.


Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.


What Are Good Companion Plants for Shiso?

Some of shiso's best companions are as follows:


When growing shiso, keep in mind that it can have a similarly aggressive growth pattern to its cousins, lemon balm and the mints.  For this reason, you might prefer to grow it in a container or with similarly vigorous plants.  See our Growing Mints article for more information.

What Are Bad Companion Plants for Shiso?

Shiso is not compatible with every plant.  Some things to avoid planting with shiso are as follows:


What Soil Conditions Does Shiso Need?

Shiso prefers loose, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.


How Long Does Shiso Take to Germinate?

Shiso takes 5-20 days to germinate at a temperature of 50-75°F.


How Much Sun Does Shiso Need?

Shiso can grow in full sun and dappled shade.


Sun recommendations can vary by region, and shiso grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.

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    How Much Water Does Shiso Need?

    Shiso needs 1 inch of water per week, especially when young.  


    It is typically drought-tolerant once established.


    See our How Often to Water Plants article here for more information about watering amounts and frequency.


    What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Shiso?

    Shiso grows fastest in temperatures of 50-80°F.


    This is its ideal temperature range.  Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.


    Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.  Some shiso varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.


    How Tall Does Shiso Get?

    The average height of shiso is 16-40 inches.


    Is Shiso Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?

    Shiso is a perennial, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years, in Hardiness Zones 10 and above.


    In cooler climates, it is typically grown as an annual, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.


    How Does Shiso Reproduce?

    Shiso reproduces by seed or rhizome.


    How Much Shiso is Produced Per Plant?

    For shiso, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.


    Most mature shiso plants produce 50-100 leaves per plant per year.


    Can Shiso Be Ingested?

    Shiso leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds are edible.


    Shiso leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds have antispasmodic and carminative properties.  They can be used in herbal preparations.  The most common preparations are tea and tinctures.  


    An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:2 at 75% alcohol is suggested for a fresh shiso leaf tincture.  An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:4 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a dried shiso leaf tincture.


    There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting shiso leaves, flowers, stems, or seeds.


    See this article for more information about ingestibility in general.  See the simple uses article linked below for examples of ways to prepare this specific plant.



    Further Reading

    This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners.  Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.


    When you have a bumper crop of shiso rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures.  Check out my article on quick, simple uses for shiso here!


    Shiso is featured in these Plant to Plate articles:


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