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Britton Bi-Color Shiso (Perilla frutescens) is the most eye-catching of all the shiso varieties — and one of the most flavorful. Giant green leaves with striking red undersides show their best color contrast when grown below 85°F, making them as beautiful in the garden as they are on the plate. The complex flavor sits somewhere between mint and basil, with distinctive hints of clove and cumin — a profile that pairs exceptionally well with fish, rice, noodles, and cucumbers. Larger leaves make perfect sushi wraps and sashimi garnishes; smaller leaves are excellent in salads and Asian dishes. Flowers are a flavorful addition to salads and rice. Can also be grown as a microgreen, ready in just 16–22 days.
Rich in calcium and iron, Shiso is a nutritious culinary herb with centuries of use in Japanese and Korean cooking.
Important: Cold stratification required. Perilla seeds need cold to break down germination inhibitors. Before sowing, place seeds in a damp paper towel in a sealed bag and refrigerate for 1–3 months, or sow in pots and place outside against a north wall through winter. Keep soil moist throughout stratification.
After stratification, start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Surface sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed, spacing plants 12 inches apart in full sun to part shade. Best color and flavor develop below 85°F. Harvest leaves as needed; collect flower buds and seeds at season’s end to sprinkle on salads and rice.
| Days to Maturity | 60–85 days (microgreen: 16–22 days) |
| Leaf Color | Green with red undersides |
| Flavor | Mint-basil with hints of clove & cumin |
| Best Uses | Sushi wraps, sashimi, soups, salads & rice |
| Germination | Cold stratification required (1–3 months) |
| Latin Name | Perilla frutescens |
| Type | Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual |
| USDA Zones | 1–11 |
Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.
I cant wait to plant them.
Love this carrot, beautiful color and tasty
Very happy with the product.
Excellent experience. It was absolutely a joy throughout the whole process. I'm very grateful.
Not everyone sells these and I absolutely love them in my summer salads! Thanks for offering them!!!
So happy to get these seeds for my garden this year!
Your seeds are GREAT! I'm looking forward to planting these again this year!!!
So happy to be adding these seeds to my garden this year!! Thanks so much for the offering!
Seller is pleasant and shipment was swiftly excited to plant and see the outcome ty
Thank you very much! they look great and arrived in good condition!
The seeds arrived around the estimated time of arrival. They were well packaged and looked good. I planted a few 3 days ago and I've already got sprouts.
I hope these flowers will grow in North Dakota! The colors are vibrant and hopefully the bees will like them. I will have to wait until after the Big Thaw in April before I can plant them - can't wait!
