How to Grow Green Perilla
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Green Perilla
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
herbGreen Perilla is a leafy Asian herb with deeply wrinkled, dark green foliage and a distinctive aromatic flavor used in Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines. The plant grows as an annual with soft stems and produces small purple flowers. It offers both culinary and ornamental value with its attractive foliage.
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Example Green Perilla timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Green 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 Green Perilla
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows best in zones 5-9; can be grown annually in colder zones or year-round in warm climates
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with two cotyledons and develop first true leaves within 1-2 weeks
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (65-75°F ideal); provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; thin seedlings to proper spacing when 2-3 inches tall
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of deeply wrinkled, dark green leaves on branching stems; plant becomes bushy and robust
Pinch off growing tips to encourage branching and fuller plant form; maintain consistent moisture; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer; harvest outer leaves regularly to promote bushiness
Leaf Production & Maintenance
4-8 weeksMature plant produces abundant harvestable foliage with full wrinkled texture and aromatic quality
Continue regular leaf harvesting to prevent flowering and extend production; deadhead flowers if they appear; maintain adequate water and nutrients; mulch around base to retain moisture
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall purple or lavender flowers appear in terminal spikes; leaf quality and flavor may diminish as plant focuses energy on seed production
Pinch off flower buds to extend leaf harvest; if allowing flowering for ornamental interest or seed saving, reduce nitrogen fertilizer to moderate blooming
Seed Production & Plant Decline
3-4 weeksPlant sets seed and begins to decline; foliage becomes tough and less flavorful; self-seeding may occur naturally
Allow some flowers to remain if seed saving is desired; collect seed heads before they shatter; pull plant when productivity declines in fall or summer
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning; use neem oil spray; row covers for young plants
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Row covers on seedlings; neem oil or insecticidal soap; mulching to reduce overwintering habitat
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Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; reflective mulches; encourage beneficial insects
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; attract ladybugs and parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening; beer traps; copper barriers; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Asian Cuisine & Sushi Wraps
CulinaryGreen Perilla leaves are widely used in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cooking as a wrapper for sushi rolls, grilled meats, and vegetables. The leaves add a distinctive peppery, minty, slightly anise-like flavor that enhances fresh and cooked dishes. [source]
Pickled & Preserved
CulinaryFresh leaves are pickled in vinegar and salt to create a tangy condiment served alongside rice and other dishes. Dried leaves can be stored for year-round use in cooking. [source]
Traditional Medicine & Respiratory Support
MedicinalIn Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese herbalism, Perilla leaves are used to support respiratory health and digestion. Contains beneficial compounds that may have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Ornamental Garden Display
HouseholdThe deeply wrinkled, dark green foliage and purple flowers make Green Perilla an attractive ornamental herb garden plant. Its distinctive leaf texture adds visual interest to borders and container gardens. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, the purple blooms attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting ecosystem health. [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 outer leaves when plant is 6-8 inches tall and has 4-6 true leaves (around 45 days); pinch off top 2-3 inches of stems to encourage branching. Harvest leaves in the morning after dew dries for best flavor and aroma. Continue harvesting outer leaves regularly; never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time to maintain vigor. For best flavor, harvest before plant flowers. Leaves can be used fresh or dried; dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Green Perilla (also called Shiso in Japanese and Kkaennip in Korean) is renowned in East Asian cuisines and is a staple ingredient in authentic sushi restaurants worldwide.
- 🌱 The leaves contain perillaldehyde, a compound that gives the plant its unique, complex flavor profile that combines mint, anise, and citrus notes in a way that cannot be easily replicated by other herbs.
- 🌱 Perilla can self-seed readily if flowers are allowed to mature, potentially becoming a volunteer in subsequent seasons; in some regions, Red Perilla (a related variety) is considered mildly invasive.
Gardening Terms
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