- Botanical name: Perilla frutescens var. crispa
- Common name: Chinese basil
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herb
Pink
Purple
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
Perilla frutescens var. crispa has many common names, including purple shiso, Chinese basil and purple perilla. Leaves have a unique taste, which is said to be a combination of the flavours of mint and basil, with a hint of cumin.
Popular in Asia, the purple-red leaves may be used to colour and flavour vinegar and to make pink rice. They can also be grown as micro-leaves, to include in salads.
Grow Perilla frutescens var. crispa in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Water only when dry. Provide cloche protection in cool weather.
How to grow Perilla frutescens
-
Plant size
60cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do Harvest in June |
J
Do Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Perilla frutescens and wildlife
Perilla frutescens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Perilla frutescens poisonous?
Perilla frutescens has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Perilla frutescens
