{"product_id":"jeok-ssam-shiso-heirloom-perilla-seeds","title":"Jeok Ssam Shiso, Heirloom Perilla Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJeok Ssam Shiso, Heirloom Perilla Seeds — The Vietnamese Perilla With Minty, Citrus, Coriander Flavor and Striking Bicolor Leaves\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJeok Ssam Shiso (\u003cem\u003ePerilla frutescens\u003c\/em\u003e) is a Vietnamese heirloom perilla with smaller leaves than Japanese varieties but a bigger, more complex flavor — bright and minty with hints of citrus and coriander. Deep green on top, deep red-purple on the underside. Equally at home in the kitchen and the ornamental garden, where its showy bicolor foliage makes a striking accent. Easy to grow, prolific through the season, and treasured in Asian cuisines for centuries. 70 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Jeok Ssam Shiso?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVietnamese heirloom perilla\u003c\/strong\u003e — smaller leaves with more robust, complex flavor than Japanese varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinty, bright, citrus and coriander notes\u003c\/strong\u003e — a uniquely aromatic culinary herb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriking bicolor leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e — bright green top, deep red-purple underside; beautiful ornamental accent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional culinary herb\u003c\/strong\u003e — classic in Vietnamese seafood dishes, pickling, sushi, and wrapping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProlific through the season\u003c\/strong\u003e — harvest continuously from established plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse younger, smaller leaves fresh in salads or as a garnish. Large leaves make excellent wraps — ssam-style — around grilled meats, rice, or seafood. Add to soups or cook as a side green. Use traditionally in Vietnamese seafood dishes including banh tom (shrimp cakes), thit heo nau (braised pork), and pickled preparations. Steam or pickle whole leaves. An excellent addition to sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes. Once plants start flowering, harvest and use immediately as flavor intensity decreases post-bolt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBegin harvesting once plants are established by cutting lower branches and removing leaves as needed. For a milder, bushier plant, pinch the growing tip when plants reach 4 inches tall — the plant will branch and re-grow, and this can be repeated throughout the season. Harvest before plants bolt and flower for peak flavor. Water generously during the main growing season for the best leaf production.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow as soon as soil can be worked after last frost in full sun with average, loamy soil. Broadcast seeds or sow ¼ inch deep — seeds need light to germinate. Keep soil moist. Once seedlings reach 3–4 inches tall, thin to 6 inches apart. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease pressure. Fertilize as needed. Can also be grown in containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Damping off (avoid overwatering at seedling stage), leaf spot, clubroot (avoid overhead watering), aphids, leafminers, and slugs. Use standard pest control methods as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–14 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinty, bright, citrus and coriander notes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright green (top), deep red-purple (underside)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–36 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e¼ inch (needs light; do not bury deeply)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThinning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThin to 6 inches when seedlings reach 3–4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage loamy soil; keep moist; avoid overhead watering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers 60°F+; warm-season annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainer Friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–11 (annual)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePerilla frutescens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.7g ~200+ Seeds","offer_id":41712321429638,"sku":"KCC\/C3-200-90-122-2026","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/jeok-ssam-shiso-raised-bed.png?v=1789329710","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/jeok-ssam-shiso-heirloom-perilla-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}