Britton Shiso

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant and vividly alive on the palate, Britton Shiso unfurls deep, cool-toned leaves with a crisp, peppery-herb snap and a lingering, anise-citrus lift.

The foliage is tender yet substantial—ideal for fresh use where its bold aroma can shine, and equally compelling for quick infusions and aromatic garnishes that turn simple dishes into fragrant moments. Grow Britton Shiso for a garden that smells as good as it looks, with leaves that stay lush and flavorful through the season.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Jul 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Britton Shiso tastes like a sharp, cool breeze—peppery first, then anise-citrus lingering—so use it fresh where those aromas don’t get buried. It’s at its best with fat (sesame, grilled fish) and tang (rice vinegar, soy), because it clings to the palate instead of fading.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss into cucumber or cabbage salads where the leaves stay bright and crunchy
use as a fresh wrap layer for grilled fish or chicken to perfume the fat without going muddy
quick-shake into vinegar for a zippy, fragrant dressing
brine/steam quick infusions for rice, noodles, or sparingly for clear broths

Flavor Profile

peppery-herb snap cool, minty bite anise-citrus lift aromatic, lightly savory finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger soy sauce rice vinegar sesame oil cucumber grilled fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease on Perilla frutescens (Britton shiso), and how do I stop it?

A frequent problem is slugs and snails, especially in cool, damp beds where Perilla frutescens grows lush foliage. Hand-pick at dusk, remove hiding spots (boards/leaf litter), and use a copper barrier or food-grade iron phosphate baits around plants. If you see leaf spotting with humid weather, improve airflow by spacing plants and water at the soil line instead of wetting leaves.

How often should I water Britton shiso during the main growing phase?

During the main leaf-growing period, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In part sun, this often works out to about 1 inch of water per week total (more in hot spells, less in cool rainy stretches), delivered in one or two deep sessions. Mulch with 1–2 inches of material to stabilize moisture around Perilla frutescens.

How can I tell when Britton shiso (Perilla frutescens) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when plants are well-leafed and about 40–50 days from sowing, with sturdy stems and leaves roughly mature in size for your variety. Pick outer leaves first; for best flavor, harvest on dry mornings and avoid leaving leaves to over-mature, which can reduce tenderness. If you’re harvesting for peak use, harvest before flowering to keep leaves at their most aromatic.