How to grow shiso (perilla)
Perilla frutescens · Lamiaceae · Herb
When to plant shiso (perilla): the short answer
Start seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week after it; sow outdoors about 1 week after the last frost. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F; shiso (perilla) sprout fastest near 72°F.
Zone 5: plant out Apr 30 – May 17. Zone 7: plant out Apr 5 – Apr 22. Zone 9: plant out Feb 20 – Mar 9. See every zone.
Shiso (Perilla) is a warm-season herb in the Lamiaceae family, grown either from a direct sowing or from transplants. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 70–90 days. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed and the soil has warmed.
Grower’s note: A Japanese and Korean herb with large frilly green or purple leaves, used with sashimi, in kimchi and as a wrap. Warmth-loving and slow, erratic to germinate (light and a cold spell help). It self-seeds aggressively - pull volunteers or it takes over.
Sowing
Sow barely covered — the seed needs light to germinate, into soil between 65–82°F — germination is quickest near 72°F. It is slow and often erratic to germinate (14–21 days). For an early crop, start seed indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost and grow it under bright light.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 12″ along the row with roughly 18″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 1 per square foot. Allow at least 10″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 10″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
Shiso (Perilla) needs roughly 70–90 frost-free days to crop. Where the season is shorter than that, start it indoors and choose the earliest-maturing varieties, or grow it in a container you can move under cover on cold nights. In long, hot-summer regions it can often be planted twice — once in spring and again in mid-to-late summer for a fall harvest.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long shiso (perilla) takes to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 70-90 days (10-13 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 14-21 days in soil around 72°F.
When to plant shiso (perilla)
When to plant shiso (perilla) by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 9 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
Compare with the other herbs: when to plant herbs, by zone.
Companions
No strong companions recorded.
No strong antagonists recorded.
Common problems
Pests: flea beetle, slugs.
Diseases & disorders: damping off.
Same family (Lamiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant shiso (perilla)?
Start seeds indoors about 7 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week after it; sow outdoors about 1 week after the last frost. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long does shiso (perilla) take to grow?
About 70-90 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 14-21 days, fastest in soil around 72°F.
How much sun does shiso (perilla) need?
It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH does shiso (perilla) need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant shiso (perilla)?
Space plants about 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ⅛ inch deep.
Can I grow shiso (perilla) in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 10 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.