{"product_id":"purple-shiso-heirloom-seeds","title":"Purple Shiso (Perilla), Heirloom Herb Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePurple Shiso Heirloom Herb Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eBring rich wine-purple color and a distinctive flavor to your herb garden with Purple Shiso, also known as Red Shiso or Perilla. This warm-season annual produces aromatic leaves with sweet, savory, minty, and citrusy notes. Pick a few tender leaves to brighten a bowl of noodles, finish a rice dish, or add a colorful garnish to your next meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Purple Shiso?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeautiful edible foliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broad, veined leaves with serrated edges add deep purple color to herb beds and containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile culinary herb:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use fresh in salads, sushi garnishes, rice dishes, wraps, and savory cooking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistinctive aroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e A fragrant combination of mild mint, sweet and savory notes, and a bright, slightly astringent finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpright, bushy growth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plants typically reach approximately 1–3 feet tall, depending on conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeirloom and open-pollinated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-GMO seed for a traditional kitchen-garden herb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Growing\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart indoors 4–6 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow after frost danger has passed. Sow shallowly, pressing seeds into moist seed-starting mix and covering only very lightly, as light aids germination. Keep the surface consistently moist without waterlogging. Follow any lot-specific pretreatment directions supplied with your seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose full sun to partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Harden off indoor-grown seedlings before transplanting. Space plants approximately 10–12 inches apart; in a square foot garden, use \u003cstrong\u003e1 plant per sq ft\u003c\/strong\u003e. Pinch growing tips to encourage branching and harvest leaves regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePerilla frutescens var. crispa\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 60–70 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm-season annual; protect from frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright and bushy, approximately 1–3 feet tall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to partial shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moist, and well-drained.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small pink-to-white blooms may develop as plants move toward seed production later in the season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest and Kitchen Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest tender leaves as needed once plants are established, leaving enough foliage for continued growth. Slice into salads, scatter over noodles and fried rice, use as a garnish, or experiment with pickling and herb-infused drinks. Start with a small amount so its distinctive flavor complements your dish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre Purple Shiso and Red Shiso the same?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis variety is commonly sold under both names, referring to its wine-red to purple foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes every shiso seed lot need cold stratification?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not assume every lot needs the same treatment. Follow the supplier's directions for your particular seed lot, and sow shallowly with consistent moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit a small garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Grow it in a raised bed or roomy container, with regular harvesting and pinching to help maintain bushy growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor and your garden's success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.7g ~ 200+ Seeds","offer_id":41712278470790,"sku":"KSC\/C3-200-99-425-28","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7610581342_727n.jpg?v=1770127446","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/purple-shiso-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}