How to Grow Ao-Shiso
Wikimedia Commons
Ao-Shiso
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
herbAo-Shiso, also known as green perilla or Japanese mint, is a leafy herb with distinctive crinkled, deeply veined green leaves and a unique aromatic flavor profile combining mint, anise, and cinnamon notes. This Asian culinary herb is prized in Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines for its fresh taste and decorative appeal. It's an annual herb that grows rapidly and self-seeds readily in warm conditions.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Ao-Shiso in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Ao-Shiso timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Ao-Shiso
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Ao-Shiso
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ao-Shiso dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-10; can be grown as annual in zone 5
Sign up free to see if Ao-Shiso grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Ao-Shiso timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-14 days. Seedlings develop small, slightly wrinkled cotyledons and first true leaves appear delicate with minimal veining.
Keep soil warm (68-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing once established.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops characteristic deeply veined, crinkled green leaves. Stems are sturdy and square-shaped. Foliage becomes increasingly aromatic.
Pinch off top growth regularly to encourage bushier, bushier habit and prevent early flowering. Maintain consistent moisture and provide balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Mature Leaf Production
3-6 weeksPlant reaches full bushy size with abundant, full-sized crinkled leaves at peak flavor and aroma. Stems thicken and woody base develops.
Begin regular harvesting of outer leaves to prolong productivity. Continue pinching flower buds if leaf production is priority. Fertilize monthly.
Flowering
2-4 weeksSmall delicate flowers appear in terminal spikes; flowers are typically pale purple, pink, or white. Foliage quality and flavor may diminish as energy shifts to seed production.
Pinch off flower buds to maintain leaf quality, or allow flowering for seed collection. Flowering attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Seed Development & End of Season
3-4 weeksSeeds mature in small capsules at flower spike. Plant foliage may yellow or decline. Seeds can self-sow if allowed to drop.
Collect seeds before they fall for next season. Allow some flowers to mature if self-seeding is desired (note: can become invasive in warm zones). Pull spent plants or allow to overwinter in mild climates.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick in early morning; use row covers on young plants. Neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe.
-
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; increase humidity; use miticide if severe. Regular misting helps prevent infestations.
-
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage predatory insects.
-
Spray with water or insecticidal soap; release ladybugs; neem oil application.
-
and
Copper tape barriers; beer traps; hand-pick at night; encourage ground beetles.
Uses
Japanese & Asian Cuisine
CulinaryAo-Shiso leaves are essential in Japanese cuisine, used as a garnish for sushi, sashimi, and tempura, or wrapped around rice balls. In Korean cuisine, the leaves (called kkaennip) are used fresh or pickled as a side dish and flavor wrapper. [source]
Beverages & Infusions
CulinaryFresh or dried Ao-Shiso leaves can be brewed into an herbal tea with a refreshing, slightly minty-licorice flavor. The leaves are also used to flavor beverages, lemonades, and cocktails. [source]
Traditional Medicine & Respiratory Health
MedicinalIn Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Kampo medicine, Ao-Shiso (called 'Siso' or 'Zi Su') is used to support respiratory health, aid digestion, and reduce inflammation. The herb has been traditionally used to address seasonal allergies and support immune function. [source]
Pickles & Preservation
HouseholdAo-Shiso leaves are pickled in salt and vinegar as a condiment and flavor enhancer, commonly found in Japanese grocery stores. Pickling preserves the distinctive flavor for year-round use. [source]
Natural Food Coloring
HouseholdRed varieties of perilla (Aka-Shiso) and green varieties can be used to impart subtle color and flavor to foods, particularly in Japanese culinary applications like umeboshi (pickled plums). [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting leaves when plant reaches 6-8 inches tall (around 45-60 days). Pinch off top 2-3 inches of growth to encourage branching. Harvest outer leaves regularly to promote new growth; pick leaves in morning after dew dries for best flavor. Leaves are most flavorful before flowering. Can harvest continuously through the season; in frost-free zones, plants may produce year-round with proper care.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ao-Shiso is so valued in Japanese cuisine that it's featured as a garnish on the border of decorative bento boxes and sushi platters, where it serves both aesthetic and functional purposes—the leaves are actually meant to be eaten.
- 🌱 The name 'Shiso' comes from Japanese and literally refers to this plant; there are multiple color varieties including green (Ao-Shiso), red/purple (Aka-Shiso), and variegated forms, each with slightly different flavor profiles.
- 🌱 Ao-Shiso can become invasive in warm climates as it self-seeds prolifically; in zones 9-10, it may persist year-round and spread aggressively if not managed, making it a beloved herb in some regions and a cautious grow in others.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Ao-Shiso planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Ao-Shiso seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Ao-Shiso timeline →