Shiso Britton

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant and vividly aromatic, Shiso Britton unfurls velvety, deeply veined leaves with a cool, shiso-candy freshness and a crisp, herbal bite.

The foliage is tender yet substantial—ideal for harvesting repeatedly at about 60 days—so you can enjoy its signature flavor in fresh applications and as a bold, aromatic accent in sauces and pickling-style preparations.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 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	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Aug 5th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

This is the shiso you reach for when you want that unmistakable cool-candy hit—more crisp and aromatic than leafy-mintery, with enough body to stand up to hot bowls and briny pickling. Chop it finely and add late; its veined perfume blooms fastest when it doesn’t get boiled into silence.

Best Uses

stacked shiso leaves for quick, fragrant finishing on hot rice or grilled meats
stir-through herb paste or quick blitzed sauce to perfume noodles and tofu
toss in cucumber-free salads or slaws for a clean, minty-cool snap
pickling-style aromatics where it holds up as an assertive, perfume-forward leaf

Flavor Profile

cool shiso-candy freshness crisp herbal bite velvety, deeply veined leaf aroma

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce rice vinegar sesame oil garlic ginger miso

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Perilla frutescens (green shiso), and how can I manage it?

Watch for downy mildew and leaf spot, which show up as dark blotches or fuzzy growth on the underside of leaves in humid weather. Improve airflow by spacing plants and water at the soil line (not the leaves), then remove badly infected leaves to slow spread. If it’s recurring, use a labeled organic fungicide that targets downy mildew/leaf spot and reapply according to the label when conditions stay wet.

How often should I water Perilla frutescens during peak leaf growth?

During the main growing phase, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for light, consistent moisture as the top 1 inch dries. In warm weather, this often means watering every 2–4 days, depending on your soil and container size. Mulch around plants to prevent the soil from swinging between dry and wet, which can reduce leaf quality.

How do I tell when shiso leaves (Perilla frutescens) are ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when plants are well branched and leaves are fully expanded—typically around 45–60 days, but you can take the first tender leaves earlier for flavor. Harvest in the morning and choose leaves that are deep green and crisp (not small, pale, or tough). For best ongoing production, snip the outer leaves and pinch back the tips to encourage more leaf growth while the plant is still actively growing.