How to Grow Britton's Red Perilla
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Britton's Red Perilla
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
herbBritton's Red Perilla is a striking ornamental and culinary herb featuring deep crimson-purple foliage with a distinctive crinkled, textured leaf surface. This annual plant is prized in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine, and serves as an excellent ornamental specimen in gardens. It develops into a bushy, mounding plant that adds dramatic color and visual interest to herb gardens and borders.
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Example Britton's Red Perilla timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Britton's Red Perilla
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Britton's Red Perilla
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10 as an annual; perennial in zones 9-11
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Get my Britton's Red Perilla timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with oval cotyledons and develop true leaves with characteristic purple tinting within 1-2 weeks.
Maintain moist soil and provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 true leaves appear. Keep soil warm (70-75°F optimal).
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with increasingly prominent deep crimson-purple, crinkled leaves. Stems become sturdy and woody.
Pinch growing tips early to encourage bushier growth. Begin fertilizing bi-weekly with balanced or slightly nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Water consistently and provide full sun for best color.
Leaf Development & Maturity
4-6 weeksPlant reaches full size (18-24 inches tall), with maximum foliage density and deep purple coloration fully developed.
Continue harvesting leaves regularly to encourage continued growth. Maintain consistent moisture. Purple color intensifies as temperatures cool and with more sun exposure.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall lavender to pale purple flowers appear in terminal spikes. Leaves may become smaller as plant diverts energy to seed production.
Pinch off flower buds if maximizing leaf production is desired. Allowing some flowers to develop supports seed saving and provides ornamental interest.
Seed Development
2-3 weeksFlowers develop into small seeds in brown capsules. Plant may decline in vigor and leaf quality as it focuses on reproduction.
Allow seeds to fully mature on plant if saving seeds for next season. Harvest seed heads when brown and dry. In frost-free areas, plant may self-seed.
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning, use row covers on young plants, apply neem oil or spinosad if infestations are severe
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Spray with strong water stream, increase humidity, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage ladybugs and lacewings, prune infested growth
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Remove infected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicidal spray if severe
Uses
Asian Cuisine & Flavoring
CulinaryBritton's Red Perilla is widely used in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine as a flavoring herb and decorative element in sushi, pickles, and dishes. The leaves provide a unique minty-spicy flavor with subtle anise notes. [source]
Traditional Medicine & Respiratory Health
MedicinalUsed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Japanese herbalism to support respiratory health, digestion, and immune function. Contains rosmarinic acid and other compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Garden Accent & Landscaping
OrnamentalThe dramatic deep crimson-purple, textured foliage makes it an excellent ornamental specimen in borders, containers, and mixed plantings. Provides striking color contrast against green plants. [source]
Essential Oil & Extraction
HouseholdLeaves can be dried and used to create essential oils or infusions for aromatherapy and household applications. The plant contains perillaldehyde and other volatile compounds. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeFlowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a beneficial plant for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [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 individual leaves once plant is well-established (6-8 weeks after planting) by pinching off the top 2-3 inches of growth, which encourages bushier development. Harvest leaves in the morning after dew dries for best flavor and essential oil content. Continue harvesting throughout the growing season; younger leaves are more tender and flavorful. Cut above leaf nodes to encourage branching. For maximum yield, harvest regularly before flowering.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Britton's Red Perilla is native to East and Southeast Asia, where it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Japan where it's called 'shiso.'
- 🌱 The striking purple-red color intensifies as temperatures drop in fall, making it more ornamentally attractive as the season progresses.
- 🌱 Perilla self-seeds readily and is considered invasive in some regions of North America, so deadheading or containing seeds may be necessary in certain areas.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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