Purple Shiso Seeds | 100 Seeds

How to Grow Purple Shiso Seeds (Perilla frutescens var. crispa):
Purple shiso is a warm-season annual herb with deep purple, ruffled leaves and a strong basil-mint aroma. Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow outdoors once weather is reliably warm. Shiso seeds often germinate slowly, so improve success by chilling them in the fridge for about 1–2 weeks before sowing, then soaking in room-temp water for a few hours. Sow on the surface or cover very lightly (1–2 mm) because they need light to sprout. Keep soil evenly moist and warm; germination can take 7–21 days. When seedlings have a few true leaves, thin or transplant to 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart. Plant in full sun for the best purple color, though in very hot climates morning sun with light afternoon shade prevents stress.

How to Care for Purple Shiso:
Water regularly during establishment, then keep moisture steady—shiso likes consistently damp but not soggy soil. Mulch helps keep roots cool and reduces drying. Feed lightly; too much nitrogen makes giant soft leaves with weaker flavor, so compost at planting and a mild balanced feed once a month in pots is enough. Pinch the growing tips when plants are 15–20 cm tall to encourage bushier growth and more leaves. Harvest often by snipping top sets of leaves; regular picking delays flowering and keeps flavor tender. If you want seed saving, let a few plants flower late season—shiso self-seeds easily, so remove flower spikes early if you don’t want it spreading. Pests are usually minor; watch for aphids or leaf-chewing insects and rinse off or hand-pick as needed.

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