Red Shiso

Red Shiso is a Japanese heirloom herb with deep red leaves that smell of cinnamon and clove with a spicy, cumin-like flavor. A true showstopper, it is popular in Asian cooking and for adding color to pickling recipes. Eat the seedlings in salads or grow to maturity for more dynamic uses.

At a glance

• Product type: Herb seeds (shiso/perilla)
• Vendor: MIgardener
• Heirloom and non-GMO
• Deep red, aromatic leaves
• Spicy, cumin-like flavor
• Loves full sun
• Packet priced at $2.00

Best for

• Asian cooking and garnishes
• Pickling for color and flavor
• Salads from young seedlings
• Warm-season herb gardens
• Ornamental edible plantings
• Seed saving

How to grow

Direct sow or transplant after the last frost in full sun and well-drained soil. Keep evenly moist and harvest leaves as needed. Note that Red Shiso is toxic to grazing animals such as cattle and horses, and it is considered invasive in the Southeast and Midwest United States, where it can self-seed aggressively in warm, humid climates; deadhead flowers to limit spread.

Flavor profile

Spicy and aromatic, with notes of cinnamon, clove, and cumin.

About MIgardener

MIgardener offers heirloom, non-GMO seed varieties for home gardeners.