Lamiacées • Perilla frutescens

Purple Shiso - Organic

"Purple foliage with an unexpected fragrance, somewhere between a condiment, an herbal tea, and a companion plant."

$4.49

Number of seeds 100 seeds

Native to East Asia, purple shiso ( Perilla frutescens var. crispa ) has long graced the gardens and kitchens of Japan, China, and Korea. In a vibrant garden, its deeply serrated, dark purple foliage, sometimes tinged with green, immediately catches the eye. It establishes itself as a light and airy aromatic annual, discreetly accompanying the cycle of the seasons.

In the vegetable garden, purple shiso thrives in borders or among leafy greens. It appreciates welcoming soil rich in organic matter and the gentle warmth of summer. Its fragrance, somewhere between basil, mint, and anise, makes it a valuable companion for a diverse and productive garden. In an environmentally conscious approach, it is often allowed to flower for pollinators before harvesting a few seeds, in an age-old practice of seed stewardship.

Growing climate: Warm season
Sowing difficulty level: Medium
Care required: Regular
Growth: Summer growth

Note: Sensitive to cold; sowing and planting should be done after all risk of frost in the garden.

Purple shiso is very common in East Asian cuisines, where its leaves are used fresh, chopped, as a garnish or to flavor various dishes. The leaves are used to color and flavor certain condiments and vegetables, and are an ingredient in traditional Japanese preparations (such as umeboshi, where purple shiso colors and complements plums).

The leaves can be eaten fresh in salads, added at the end of cooking to stir-fries, or used to make an infusion. The seeds are sometimes used as a condiment after being lightly roasted. The plant is also mentioned in traditional Asian medicine for various uses, but these should be approached with caution and by consulting specialized sources.