Overview

Bring the unique flavor and vibrant color of Asia into your home or garden with this 3-pack of shiso perilla live plant. Known botanically as Perilla frutescens, this versatile herb is a staple in many cuisines, particularly Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Often referred to as Beefsteak Plant or by its Vietnamese name, Tía Tô, our live plants offer a blend of green and purple foliage, adding an attractive visual element to any space. These robust plants arrive ready to thrive, allowing you to enjoy fresh, aromatic leaves sooner. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, growing shiso is a rewarding experience, providing both beauty and utility.

The shiso perilla live plant is highly regarded for its distinctive flavor profile, often described as a mix of mint, basil, and cumin, with a slightly spicy undertone. The striking dual-colored leaves make it an excellent choice for edible landscaping or as a potted herb on a sunny windowsill. With these three healthy plants, you’ll have an abundant supply for all your culinary and decorative needs, and you’ll discover the joy of growing shiso indoors or outdoors.

Key Benefits

Our shiso perilla live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your culinary creations to beautifying your garden space. These plants are chosen for their vigor and ability to adapt to various growing conditions, ensuring a successful harvest and a visually appealing display.

• Culinary Versatility: The leaves of the shiso perilla live plant are a popular ingredient in sushi, salads, stir-fries, and teas, adding a unique, aromatic flavor. You can use them fresh or dried to infuse dishes with their distinctive taste.
• Vibrant Foliage: Featuring a stunning combination of green and purple leaves, these plants serve as an attractive ornamental addition to herb gardens, raised beds, or patio containers. The rich colors provide visual interest throughout the growing season.
• Easy to Grow: Shiso is known for being relatively low-maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. With proper care, these plants will flourish and provide a continuous supply of fresh leaves.
• Aromatic Qualities: The fragrant leaves release a pleasant, spicy aroma when brushed or crushed, which can help deter garden pests and create a more enjoyable garden environment. Enjoy the fresh scent of your tía tô live plant.
• Health Benefits: Traditionally, shiso has been used in herbal medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Incorporating fresh shiso into your diet can contribute to overall well-being.
• Continuous Harvest: With three plants, you can enjoy a prolonged harvesting season. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more leaf production, ensuring a steady supply for your kitchen.
• Adaptable Growth: These plants are suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, provided they receive adequate light and warmth. This flexibility allows you to enjoy fresh shiso regardless of your climate or living situation.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your shiso perilla live plant is straightforward, ensuring a bountiful harvest of delicious leaves. To begin, these plants thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone 10 (30 to 40 °F), making them suitable for outdoor growth in warmer climates or as annuals in cooler regions. For optimal growth, provide your perilla plant care with the right conditions.

Sunlight requirements: Shiso prefers a location with partial shade to full sun. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In hotter climates, afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent scorching of the leaves. If growing shiso indoors, place them near a south-facing window or under grow lights to ensure they receive sufficient light. Medium sun exposure is ideal for balanced growth and leaf color.

Watering schedule and soil moisture: Maintain consistently moist soil, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging. The plants have a medium watering requirement.

Soil type and drainage: Shiso prefers well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A mix of loam, peat, and sand provides an excellent growing medium, ensuring proper aeration and nutrient retention. The ideal soil pH is neutral. If planting in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Temperature range and USDA hardiness zone: These plants are best suited for sub-tropical and tropical climates. They prefer temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). While they can tolerate cooler temperatures, they are not frost-hardy and will die back with the first freeze. For zones below 10, consider growing them as annuals or bringing them indoors during winter. The specified USDA Hardiness Zone is 10 (30 to 40 °F).

Fertilization schedule: Fertilize your beefsteak plant every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. Reduce or stop fertilization during fall and winter when growth slows. Regular feeding will promote lush foliage and vigorous growth.

Common problems and solutions: Shiso is generally pest-resistant, but keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids or spider mites. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiency, while wilting suggests underwatering. Adjust your watering and feeding schedule accordingly to keep your tía tô live plant healthy.

Size & Details

This offering includes 3 healthy shiso perilla live plant specimens, each carefully grown and nurtured to ensure successful transplantation and vigorous growth. Upon arrival, each plant will typically range in height from 6 to 12 inches, providing a substantial start for your garden or indoor herb collection. These plants are shipped in pots, complete with soil, minimizing transplant shock and making them ready for immediate placement in your desired location or a larger container. The foliage is evergreen in suitable climates, offering continuous beauty and harvest.

Shiso is a relatively fast-growing herb, and with proper care, you can expect to begin harvesting leaves within a few weeks of planting. The plants will continue to grow and produce throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons of interest. While exact dimensions can vary based on growing conditions, shiso plants generally form bushy mounds, making them ideal for both garden beds and containers. They are categorized as herbs and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, depending on your climate and care routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Each shiso perilla live plant typically reaches a height of 6-12 inches upon arrival and can grow up to 18-24 inches tall with proper care and ideal growing conditions. Its spread will be similar, forming a bushy plant.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: These beefsteak plant specimens are shipped in individual pots, ensuring they are well-rooted and ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container. The exact pot size may vary slightly but will be appropriate for the plant’s current size.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This shiso perilla live plant is versatile and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it thrives in sub-tropical and tropical climates (USDA Zone 10+). Indoors, it needs a sunny location to flourish.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Shiso requires partial shade to full sun, ideally receiving 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing shiso indoors, ensure it gets bright, consistent light to promote healthy growth and vibrant leaf color.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, perilla plant care is considered relatively easy, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels. It primarily needs consistent moisture, adequate sunlight, and well-draining soil to thrive.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your tía tô live plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen, carefully packaged in its pot with soil to ensure minimal stress during transit. We take utmost care to protect the plants during shipment.
• Q: Can I use shiso perilla in cooking? A: Absolutely! Shiso leaves are highly prized in various Asian cuisines for their unique, aromatic flavor. They are excellent in salads, sushi, stir-fries, and as a garnish.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: For outdoor planting, spring to early summer is ideal after all danger of frost has passed. For indoor cultivation, you can plant and enjoy your shiso year-round.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The shiso perilla live plant is hardy in USDA Zone 10 (30 to 40 °F) and warmer. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual or brought indoors before the first frost.
• Q: What type of soil is best for shiso? A: Shiso prefers a neutral pH, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A mixture of loam, peat, and sand provides an excellent environment for root development and overall plant health.