How to Grow Purple Perilla

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Purple Perilla

Perilla frutescens var. crispa

herb

Purple perilla is an ornamental and culinary herb with deeply lobed, crinkled foliage that displays striking deep purple to burgundy coloring. Native to East Asia, it's prized for its dramatic appearance, aromatic leaves, and use in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. The plant self-seeds readily and can become invasive in some regions, so careful management is recommended.

Looking for a specific variety?

Magilla Perilla Akajiso Aojiso Korean Perilla Crisped Purple

When should you plant Purple Perilla in your zone?

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Example Purple Perilla timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Purple Perilla
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Purple Perilla
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Perilla dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of direct sunlight for best color development

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Water: Moderate water needs; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Drought-tolerant once established. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days (to flowering)

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Planting depth: Superficial; press seeds lightly into soil surface or cover with 1/8 inch of soil. Seeds need light to germinate.

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerant of poor soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Organic matter for moisture retention Perlite if soil tends to stay wet

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Germination

7-14 days

Tiny seedlings emerge with oval cotyledons and minimal foliage. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at warm temperatures (70-75°F).

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide bright, indirect light. Keep soil temperature warm. Do not cover seeds heavily.

Seedling & Early Growth

3-4 weeks

True leaves appear with characteristic lobed shape and purple pigmentation beginning to develop. Plants grow 4-8 inches tall.

Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Begin light feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Ensure adequate light to prevent legginess. Harden off transplants gradually if started indoors.

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Robust, bushy growth with deeply lobed, crinkled leaves displaying rich purple-burgundy color. Plant reaches 2-3 feet in height.

Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness and prevent early flowering. Harvest outer leaves regularly for culinary use. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Small, delicate purple or lavender flowers appear in terminal spikes. Foliage quality may decline as energy shifts to reproduction.

Deadhead flowers to extend foliage production and prevent prolific self-seeding. If allowing seeds to develop, isolate from other perilla plants to prevent cross-pollination.

Seed Production & Maturity

3-4 weeks

Flowers develop into tiny seed capsules that mature to brown. Seeds readily drop if plant is not managed.

If seed saving is desired, allow flowers to dry fully and collect seeds before they drop. Otherwise, remove seed heads promptly to prevent unwanted volunteer plants the following year.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Mint Eggplant Pepper Tomato Borage Parsley Chives

Avoid planting near:

Other self-seeding herbs in small spaces Plants requiring pristine appearance (aggressive volunteers can shade neighbors)

Common Pests

Hand-pick early morning; use neem oil or spinosad spray if heavy infestation; row covers on young plants
Increase humidity; spray leaves with water; neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
Hand-pick at dusk; beer traps; copper barriers; avoid excessive watering
Ensure good air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; spray with baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water with surfactant) or sulfur dust

Uses

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Asian Cuisine & Garnish

Culinary

Purple perilla leaves are essential in Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cooking, used fresh in sushi, salads, stir-fries, and as an edible garnish. The leaves have a unique aromatic, slightly minty-anise flavor with subtle citrus notes. [source]

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Traditional & Herbal Medicine

Medicinal

Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for centuries to support respiratory health, digestion, and immune function. Perilla contains compounds like rosmarinic acid and luteolin with potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Herbal Tea & Infusions

Culinary

Dried or fresh leaves can be steeped into a refreshing herbal tea with mild anise and floral notes. Often combined with other Asian herbs for wellness beverages. [source]

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Natural Food Coloring & Dye

Household

The anthocyanin pigments in purple perilla leaves can create natural dyes for fabric and food coloring applications, reflecting the plant's deep purple hue. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The delicate flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a useful plant for pollinator gardens despite its sometimes invasive nature. [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 plants are 12 inches tall; harvest regularly to encourage bushiness and delay flowering. Pinch off flowering shoots as they appear for extended foliage season. Harvest leaves in the morning after dew dries for best flavor and essential oil content. For seed harvesting, allow flowers to mature fully, then collect seed heads before they shatter—dry indoors and store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Purple perilla is invasive in some U.S. regions (particularly the Northeast and Midwest) where it spreads aggressively by self-seeding; responsible gardeners should deadhead flowers or pull plants before seed set to prevent escape into natural areas.
🌱 The plant has been cultivated in East Asia for over 2,000 years and holds significant cultural importance in Japanese cuisine, where it is called 'shiso' and appears in traditional dishes like umeboshi (pickled plums) and chirashi bowls.
🌱 Purple perilla contains volatile oils with a complex aromatic profile that changes throughout the growing season—leaves harvested in early summer have the most intense flavor and fragrance compared to later harvests.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Pinch Back Pollination Transplant True Leaves

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