How to Grow Shiso

Shiso is typically started from seed. To improve germination, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing, and then sow the seeds outdoors right in your garden or raised bed. The plant prefers full sun but isn't finicky about soil.

Is Shiso easy to grow?
How long does it take to grow shiso?
Does shiso grow back?
Can you grow shiso from cutting?
Is Shiso annual or perennial?
How tall does shiso grow?
How often should I water shiso?
What is shiso good for?
Is shiso the same as perilla?
Why is my shiso dying?
What grows well with shiso?
What does shiso taste like?

Is Shiso easy to grow?

Shiso seeds are very tough and sturdy. You can just seed them in your garden where you want them to grow, but they may take a long time to germinate that way, perhaps 3 to 4 weeks, and quite a few of the seeds may fail. ... You can sow shiso indoors to give them a start.

How long does it take to grow shiso?

Seeds should germinate in 14 to 20 days. Shiso does best in full sun to partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil. Allow transplants to become established, and then grow as you would basil — pinch growing tips regularly to produce bushier plants with more leaves.

Does shiso grow back?

Shiso can be tricky to get going in your garden, but once it's growing, it is likely to self-seed and come back year after year. The plant does best in full sun and in well drained soil, but it is really not that picky and is a generally low maintenance plant.

Can you grow shiso from cutting?

Cutting. Cuttings are another great way to start and propagate existing shiso plants. Although the roots take some time to form, you still enjoy the greenery while developing.

Is Shiso annual or perennial?

The plant occurs in several forms, as defined by the characteristics of their leaves, including red, green, bicolor, and ruffled. Shiso is perennial and may be cultivated as an annual in temperate climates.

How tall does shiso grow?

SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Shiso grows well in medium to rich, sandy soils. PLANT HEIGHT: 18-30". PLANT SPACING: 6-12". HARDINESS ZONES: Annual.

How often should I water shiso?

Watering: Keep the soil just moist; established plants will grow in slightly dry soil but will thrive in soil that stays just moist. Feeding: Side dress shiso with compost tea or a dilute solution of fish emulsion every 3 or 4 weeks during the growing season. Care: Pinch back growing tips to keep the shiso bushy.

What is shiso good for?

Health Benefits of Shiso

Having also been used as an herbal remedy in Japan for centuries, the herb's anti-inflammatory properties are used to treat everything from asthma, arthritis and eczema. The shiso leaves contain large amounts of calcium and iron, making them a great, healthy addition to salads, soups and stews.

Is shiso the same as perilla?

Perilla is actually the term for a number of different species of plants in the mint family. The Japanese use shiso, which is smaller and mintier than the broad, rounded perilla leaves favored by the Koreans. The flavor of perilla, grassy with notes of anise or licorice, is pleasing like any other herb.

Why is my shiso dying?

Shiso is an annual and will die after it has flowered. ... Shiso does best in well-drained, moist soil. It can take some drying out, but the leaves will not be as succulent. If you're growing this plant for the edible leaves, keep the soil moist.

What grows well with shiso?

Shiso makes a good companion for tomatoes in the vegetable garden, and bees and butterflies love the tiny flowers that appear on the plants in late summer and early fall. Shiso likes well-drained, sunny areas but can grow in partial shade and heavier soils. Growing shiso is quite simple.

What does shiso taste like?

SHISO, an herb long used in Japanese cooking, is starting to show up in restaurants of all kinds whose chefs are captivated by its strong flavor. It has a mysterious, bright taste that reminds people of mint, basil, tarragon, cilantro, cinnamon, anise or the smell of a mountain meadow after a rainstorm.