How to Grow Purple Shiso
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Purple Shiso
Perilla frutescens var. purpurea
herbPurple shiso is a distinctive herb with deep purple, crinkled leaves and a complex flavor profile combining mint, anise, and spicy notes. Native to East Asia, it's essential in Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines. The plant grows rapidly and can reach 2-3 feet tall with aromatic foliage throughout the growing season.
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Example Purple Shiso timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Shiso
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 Purple Shiso
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Shiso dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-9; also grows as cool-season annual in zones 5 and 10
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny purple-tinged cotyledons emerge; first true leaves appear deeply lobed and purple-hued
Keep soil moist and warm (70-75°F ideal). Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart once they have true leaves.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant rapidly develops multiple stems with increasingly large, deeply crinkled purple leaves. Stems may be reddish-purple.
Pinch off growing tips every 2-3 weeks to encourage bushiness. Continue consistent moisture and feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Pre-Flowering
2-3 weeksPlant reaches mature height (18-36 inches) with dense purple foliage. Small flower buds begin forming at stem tips.
Continue harvesting leaves regularly to delay flowering and maintain leaf quality. This stage marks peak flavor and tenderness.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall lavender-purple flowers appear in terminal spikes. Leaves become slightly tougher and more fibrous.
Harvest leaves before heavy flowering for best flavor. Pinch off flower buds if leaf production is priority. Allow some flowers to remain for ornamental value or seed production.
Seed Production
4-6 weeksFlowers produce small round seed capsules that ripen from green to dark brown. Seeds are viable for collection.
Allow seeds to fully mature if collecting. Tie paper bags around seed heads to catch falling seeds. Seeds mature in late summer/early fall.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning; use yellow traps away from plants; apply neem oil or spinosad; encourage natural predators
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticides or neem oil; ensure adequate air circulation
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil; apply insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps
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and
Hand-pick at night; use copper barriers; apply diatomaceous earth; set beer traps
Uses
Japanese and Korean Cuisine
CulinaryPurple shiso leaves are essential in Japanese kaiseki cuisine, used as garnish, in sushi rolls, tempura, and pickled preparations. In Korean cuisine, they're used as wraps for grilled meats and in salads. [source]
Beverages and Infusions
CulinaryFresh or dried leaves brew into aromatic tea with digestive properties. Used in cocktails, lemonades, and traditional beverages across Asia for a minty, slightly spicy flavor note. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalUsed in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and support respiratory health. Leaves contain perillaldehyde and other volatile compounds with antimicrobial properties. [source]
Culinary Preservation
HouseholdLeaves can be pickled, dried for winter use, or frozen in oil. Purple variety offers striking color retention in pickles and preserved preparations. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe small purple flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, supporting garden 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 young leaves when plant is 6-8 inches tall. Pinch off leaves and growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness and delay flowering—this maintains tenderness and flavor. For maximum yield, harvest in early morning after dew dries. Leaves are best harvested before flowering; post-flowering leaves become tougher and more bitter. Can be harvested throughout the season until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple shiso can become invasive in some regions if allowed to self-seed freely; always deadhead spent flowers if controlling spread is a goal, as it readily reseeds itself.
- 🌱 In Japan, the purple variety is called 'akajiso' and is traditionally used to create the pink color in umeboshi (pickled plums) through natural anthocyanin pigments.
- 🌱 Purple shiso grows remarkably fast—from seed to harvest-ready plant can occur in just 6-8 weeks under optimal conditions, making it ideal for quick summer plantings.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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