Shiso Plants

Grow your own shiso plant | Buy perilla plants

Shiso (perilla frutescens var. crispa) is a Japanese herb from the mint family, also known as beefsteak plant, perilla mint, Chinese basil and purple mint. Available in green, red/purple and bi-colour (green and purple), shiso is a delicious herb that brings colour to your garden. Sow direct into free-draining moist soil. Full sun soil is ideal for shiso seeds.

The leaves and flowers of all shiso plants are edible. They have a minty flavour, with earthy depth and hints of basil, cumin, cinnamon, and anise. The leaves can be chopped and tossed into salads in place of basil or mint, and added to soups, stir-fries, and casseroles. They also make a quintessential garnish to plates of sushi and sashimi. Red shiso can even dye pickled plums.

Shiso's edible flowers add a burst of herbal flavour to fish and vegetable dishes, and look fantastic as toppings to ice cream, sorbet and other desserts. Shiso buds can be picked and added to soy sauce for an original, fragrant dip for sushi and sashimi.