Shiso care guide
Perilla frutescens
Also known as: Ooba, Green shiso, Red shiso
Pets and children
Caution advised
Known to cause respiratory poisoning in cattle and horses, with little information for dogs and cats; keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if much is eaten.
How often to water Shiso
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 2 days
- Dislikes drying out: water thoroughly once the topsoil is dry, as a guide, which in midsummer can mean daily, morning or evening.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 3 days
- Flowering begins around now, so water once the soil is dry, as a guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 5 days
- An annual that dies with frost, so no winter watering is needed; a plant kept indoors is watered once dry, as a guide.
Light and placement for Shiso
Generally likes sun but grows in part shade, and as a guide bright shade in midsummer gives softer, more fragrant leaves; harsh direct sun toughens them.
Overwintering Shiso
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
A tender annual that flowers and seeds in fall and then dies; as a guide it is not overwintered but resown the next spring, and the dried seed keeps.
Fertilizing and repotting Shiso
Fertilizer
Since leaves are picked continually, diluted liquid fertilizer about every two weeks while growing is the guide; a starved plant has small, yellowing leaves.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Shiso
- Drying out wilts it and leaves the foliage small and tough.
- Once it flowers the leaves toughen and the harvest is over.
- Spider mites and grasshoppers riddle the leaves with holes.
- Too little light makes the stems leggy and the leaves sparse.
Tips for growing Shiso
- Pinch the tip at about eight to ten true leaves; side shoots multiply and yield more.
- The flower spikes and seeds are usable as garnish or pickles, so it earns its keep into fall.
- It self-seeds freely, but volunteers can be less fragrant, so fresh seed is worth buying.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
