Grown Japanese Shiso Green?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Japanese Shiso Green — Herbs | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Japanese Shiso Green
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

60-85days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: Moderate, consistent moisture preferred
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Spacing: 12-18 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bright green with purple-tinted stems
Size: Heart-shaped leaves 3-5 inches across
Shape: Broad, heart-shaped with deeply serrated edges
Flavour: Complex blend of mint, basil, anise, and cinnamon with slight spiciness

In the kitchen

Sushi wraps, tempura, pickling, stir-fries, Vietnamese spring rolls, Korean perilla oil, garnish

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Japanese beetles, aphids, flea beetles
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, downy mildew in very humid conditions
Resistance: Generally disease resistant, self-sows readily

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
10	January	February – April	—	April – December
11	January	January – March	—	March – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

TomatoesShiso repels pests that commonly attack tomatoes, including hornworms and aphids

PeppersMutual pest deterrence; shiso's strong scent helps protect peppers from insects

EggplantShiso deters flea beetles and other pests that damage eggplant foliage

CucumberShiso helps repel cucumber beetles and improves overall garden biodiversity

BeansBeans fix nitrogen in soil, benefiting shiso growth, while shiso repels bean beetles

MarigoldsBoth plants repel nematodes and various garden pests through natural compounds

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting shiso

LettuceShiso provides light shade for lettuce while deterring pests like aphids

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most herbs including shiso

MintAggressive spreading nature competes for space and nutrients with shiso

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants including herbs like shiso

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 23
Protein (g): 3.15
Fat (g): 0.64
Carbohydrate (g): 2.65
Fibre (g): 1.6
Sugars (g): 0.3
Vitamin A (µg): 264
Vitamin C (mg): 18
Vitamin E (mg): 0.8
Vitamin K (µg): 415
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.155
Folate (µg): 68
Calcium (mg): 177
Iron (mg): 3.17
Magnesium (mg): 64
Phosphorus (mg): 56
Potassium (mg): 295
Zinc (mg): 0.81
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousVariegated Sage Next →Cherokee Purple Bean

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the herbs growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Japanese Shiso Green?

Similar varieties