Perilla frutescens Seeds | Purple Perilla
LATIN NAME: Perilla frutescens
COMMON NAME: Purple Perilla, Shiso, Zi Su
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Purple Perilla (Perilla frutescens) stands out as an upright, bushy, aromatic annual in the mint family, native to warm regions of Asia, while it is grown for its striking, purple foliage. Purple perilla is one of the most striking of the kitchen herbs, and its deep-purple, ruffled leaves have made it a treasured plant of the gardens and the kitchens of the East. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the mint family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. It is an important culinary herb of East Asia, and researchers have studied chemistry of its aromatic leaves, identifying volatile compounds that give perilla its distinctive flavour, and studying anthocyanins that give purple varieties their rich colour. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Purple Perilla for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, perilla is a generous herb of the Asian garden. Its small flowers feed bees and other pollinators, and its broad, colourful leaves add beauty and life to summer garden, while it is a beloved plant of the kitchen. Its economic value is real and varied. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Perilla, Zi Su, is a complete medicinal kitchen: the leaves ease colds and calm seafood reactions in Chinese medicine, the seed, Su Zi, is a classical cough herb and one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 ALA, and shiso is the soul of Japanese garnishes.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Purple Perilla under ordinary good conditions. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
It forms an upright, bushy, aromatic annual, which makes spacing and siting straightforward. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
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