How to grow Shiso (Perilla) in Australia

Difficulty: Beginner
Sun: Part shade
Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
Spacing: 30 cm
Time to harvest: 50 days
Time to germinate: 10 days
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
Frost tolerance: Frost tender

Grow in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well drained soil. Keep watering steady so leaves stay tender and the plant does not bolt early.

At a glance

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	September to March
Northern Rivers NSW	September to March
Sydney & Coastal NSW	October to January	Sow Oct to Jan once the soil is warm. Frost tender, and late sowings bolt as the days shorten.
Melbourne & Victoria	October to December	Frost-tender annual; sow Oct to Nov only (soil 20°C+). Dies in autumn frost. Narrow season.
Adelaide & SA	October and November	Sow Oct to Nov after frost as a summer annual. Afternoon shade and steady water carry it through heatwaves.
Perth & WA	September and October	Sow Sep to Oct. Grows across the warm coast and plain with water and afternoon shade, not just coastal pockets. Skip cold Hills pockets.
Tasmania	November and December	Marginal. Sow Nov to Dec in the warmest corner or under cover. Very narrow window.
Canberra & ACT	November and December	Grow as a summer annual like basil. Sow Nov to Dec after the last frost in early November; dies at the first autumn frost.
North Queensland	September to March	Wet season. Shiso (Japanese perilla) is tropical Asian herb; thrives in heat and humidity.
Darwin & Top End	September to March	Wet season. Shiso (Japanese perilla) is tropical Asian herb; thrives in heat and humidity.

Pick leaves once plants reach a decent size and are growing well. Pinch leaves from the top to keep plants bushy and delay flowering.

Fridge with stems in water, up to 5 days.