Is shiso easy to grow?

Shiso is a fairly easy herb to grow, although it does prefer full sun and well-drained soil. It's also important to keep an eye on the water needs of your shiso plants, as too much or too little water can both lead to problems. When grown in the right conditions, shiso will provide you with plenty of fresh leaves to use in your cooking.

How do you grow shiso in pots?

If you're interested in growing shiso in pots, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, shiso prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Second, it's important to water regularly and fertilize monthly. Third, shiso can be susceptible to root rot, so make sure the pot has good drainage. fourth, when growing shiso in pots, it's best to use a soil mix that contains equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Lastly, shiso can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. For more tips on growing shiso in pots, be sure to check with your local nursery or extension office.

Is shiso annual or perennial?

Shiso is a member of the mint family and is native to East Asia. It is an annual plant that grows to be about 1-2 feet tall. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate in shape and are 6-8 inches long. The flowers are white or pale purple and grow in clusters. Shiso can be found growing in fields, meadows, and along roadsides.

Does shiso grow back?

Yes, shiso grows back quite easily. If you have a shiso plant that is beginning to look a bit scraggly, simply trim it back and it will quickly bounce back. Shiso is a very hardy plant, so don't be afraid to give it a little pruning if needed.

Does shiso like full sun?

Shiso is a plant that grows in partial shade to full sun. It can tolerate some sun, but too much sun will cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to become stressed. If you are growing shiso in full sun, be sure to provide it with plenty of water so that it does not dry out.

Can you eat shiso leaves Raw?

Shiso leaves are often used as a garnish or decoration on sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes. They can also be eaten raw, either by themselves or wrapped around other ingredients. When eaten raw, shiso leaves have a slightly peppery taste.

Can I grow shiso indoors?

Yes, shiso can be grown indoors. The plant does best in a sunny spot, but can also tolerate partial shade. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and fertilize regularly to encourage growth. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to provide extra heat for your shiso plants during the winter months. With proper care, your shiso plants should thrive indoors.

How to Grow Shiso – An Interesting Indoor Herb Garden Addition

reviewed by Truman Perkins

Shiso is a beautiful herb best known in Japanese cuisine but can be far more versatile than that alone. Learning how to grow shiso in your indoor garden is similar to other herbs, especially basil or mint.

The Shiso plant is also referred to as the beefsteak plant or Perilla and comes in a red leaf and green leaf variety.

Depending on the variety grown, the flavor may include a basil-like essence with hints of citrusy mint and a touch of anise or clove undertones. It truly is an exciting flavor if you have never tried it.

Red varieties do better when cooked in dishes with a more robust flavor that carries a slight pleasant bitterness. Green leaf shiso works wonderfully in cold dishes and has a beautiful raw flavor.

It is part of the mint family and has the familiar square stem appearance that the family is known for. Red leaf type may often be referred to as purple perilla as the leaves are often more purple than red. This coloring bleaches down during cooking leaving just hints of pink remaining on the leaves.

Contents

How To Grow Shiso Indoors – A Couple of Ways to Start
Starting Shiso Perilla from Seed
1. Steps to Take When Growing from Seed
2. Growing Shiso from Cuttings
Tips and Tricks for Growing Shiso
Interesting Facts and Uses of Shiso
Have You Tried Shiso?
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How To Grow Shiso Indoors – A Couple of Ways to Start

Seed

Shiso is easy enough to start from seed. Planting any seed takes more patience before you see results. It can be well worth your efforts knowing the plant’s health during every stage of its growth. I use seed and cuttings for growing shiso and find both works very well.

Cutting

Cuttings are another great way to start and propagate existing shiso plants. Although the roots take some time to form, you still enjoy the greenery while developing.

Starter Plant

Nurseries can be a source for many already developing young herb plants to bring home. I have not yet found shiso in a local nursery here as it is not a commonly grown herb. I have seen young plants in an Asian market. Sourcing the internet, you may find good quality starter plants of shiso.

Starting Shiso Perilla from Seed

Shiso seeds will take anywhere from 7 to 30 days to germinate, so you will need to have a little patience. I highly suggest a seedling heat mat or germination tray get them started right and have the best shot at successful germination.

⇒ I reviewed a germination tray previously here if you require one to use. They are always an excellent option to have around and can be used in many seed starting applications.

Make sure your seeds came from a reliable source as well; you do not want to put in a lot of time and effort only to find your seeds were not viable.

⇒ My shiso plants were grown from seeds purchased here.

Steps to Take When Growing from Seed

Soak your Shiso seeds at least overnight in water. 12 -24 hours.
Use a good seed starter mix.⇒I like Black Gold 1311002 8-Quart Seedling Mix; if you want a reliable starting mix, give it a try by following the link provided. Pre-moisten so evenly damp, not soaking.
Plant the seeds no more profound than ¼” into the soil and gently cover them over. Plant 2 to 3 a tray to ensure a better chance of plant development
If using a germination tray, place a lid over and place it on a heat mat; if not, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place.
Check daily to ensure the soil does not dry out and mist to keep soil evenly moist. (you should never over saturate)
When seedlings begin to emerge, remove cover and place in a sunny window or under grow lights to get 4 to 6 hours of light minimum.
Thin seedlings when they have developed their second set of leaves
You can transplant Your shiso starts once they have developed their second set of leaves.

Shiso plant will tolerate low light and partial shade in your home but as your new seedlings develop it is best to give them more light energy to build a healthy plant start.

Growing Shiso from Cuttings

I will share a lovely video made by Khang Starr on YouTube that makes a beautiful demonstration of taking store-bought shiso and rooting them easily in water. Shiso roots very quickly from cuttings as long as you can get a healthy piece of plant, or you can even propagate one of your own in the future.

The only caution I would add after watching this video is that direct tap water may not be suitable for you if you have a municipal water supply. These can be chemically treated and would need to sit at least 24 hours before being used for this or watering your plants.

Also Read: Growing Aloe Plants Indoors – Popular Easy

I also would let at least an inch or more root growth before planting them in the soil so more firmly developed the roots. That is my preference, and I have had more success that way. Shiso also does excellent in hydroponics as well instead of soil and a great way to transition cuttings. You can learn more about growing herbs hydroponically here in an article previously posted on this site.

Tips and Tricks for Growing Shiso

Shiso does best in fertile well-draining soiling. Use an organic potting mix rich in perlite and use worm castings for optimum growth.
Mature Shiso plants will do well in lower light conditions and partial shade but make sure your seedlings get a few weeks of the sun to build up strong stems.
Pinch growing tips back regularly to give your plant a bushier, more robust growth pattern.
Water shiso regularly, keeping it moist, not soaking. It will tolerate some dry outs, but the flavor stays richer with an evenly watered plant.
If you want to move shiso outside, keep it in containers or away from your garden beds; as a member of the mint family, it will quickly take over your growing space.

Interesting Facts and Uses of Shiso

In Japan, the leaves and flowers are used in culinary dishes, and seeds from the flower heads are used to make edible oil. Often the red leaves of shiso are used in pickling, such as pickled plums, also called umeboshi. At the same time, green leaves are used raw in tofu or noodles.

It is also a herb considered valuable in traditional Chinese medicine. The perilla leaf is rich in carotene and various other essential minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and K are also among the healthy attributes of this unique herb.

I like to experiment when I cook, so besides using shiso in Asian dishes, I also want to put it pesto either alone or blended with basil. I enjoy the red shiso in bean soups and cooked with cabbage. Having your herbs at easy reach is one of the great ways to experiment and find new ways to cook old dishes or make new ones.

One of the most interesting facts about perilla is its known to have strong anti-bacterial effects and prevents and treats food poisoning and other digestive irritation like indigestion. In traditional Chinese medicine, shiso has also been used to treat coughs and other cold symptoms.

Have You Tried Shiso?

Maybe you have tried shiso and did not know it. Shiso is often used in tempura and many other Japanese dishes. Perhaps you have sat in an Asian restaurant trying to figure out what that herb or seasoning was and could not quite place it. It could have been shiso!

I hope you will give the beefsteak plant a place in your herbal garden. It makes a beautiful addition to your indoor herb garden and gives you something new to talk about with your guests.

Also Read: How to Grow Insulin Plant in your Garden?

Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions about growing shiso indoors or any other herb or plant I can help with. Leave a comment below!

Happy Gardening!

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About Truman Perkins

Truman Perkins is a Detroit-based SEO consultant who's been in the business for over a decade. He got his start helping friends and clients get their websites off the ground, and he continues to do so today. In his free time, Truman enjoys learning and writing about gardening - something he believes is a natural stress reliever. He lives with his wife, Jenny, and their twins in Detroit.

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