Heirloom

Asia Ip

Perilla frutescens

Wikimedia Commons

Harvest

80-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

10–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Asia Ip in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Asia Ip · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMinty, basil-like flavor with hints of clove and cumin, stronger than standard green shiso.

ColorMedium green with pink tinge on undersides

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December
Zone 11	January – January	January – March	—	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Leaves are similar to Britton type in shape and size, but are medium green with pink tinge on undersides. Stronger flavor than standard green shiso with uniform, full habit. Edible Flowers: The flowers are a flavorful addition to salads and Asian dishes. Pairs well with fish, rice, noodles, and cucumbers. The minty, basil-like flavor has hints of clove and cumin. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Asia Ip is 80 - 85 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Edible Flowers.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Wet. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Asia Ip reaches harvest at 80 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

.06 inch reticulate nutlet gray-brown

Color: Brown/Copper, Gray/Silver. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Edibility: Leaves as a salad herb, flavoring

Storage & Preservation

# Storage and Preservation

Fresh Asia Ip leaves are best stored at 35–40°F with 85–95% humidity in a sealed plastic bag or container lined with damp paper towels; they'll keep for 3–5 days before wilting and losing aroma. For longer preservation, freezing works well—blanch leaves briefly in boiling water for 30 seconds, shock in ice water, pat dry, then freeze flat on trays before transferring to freezer bags for up to 8 months. Drying is also effective; hang bundles in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space until crispy, then store in airtight containers away from light. Fermenting the leaves with salt creates a pungent condiment that keeps for months and intensifies the characteristic spicy-licorice flavor. Given Asia Ip's high essential oil content, avoid heat during initial processing to preserve the volatile compounds that define its culinary and medicinal appeal.

History & Origin

Asia Ip is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Himalayas to Southeast Asia

Advantages

+Stronger flavor than standard green shiso makes it ideal for bold Asian dishes
+Medium green leaves with pink undersides provide attractive ornamental garden appeal
+Edible flowers offer versatile culinary uses in salads and Asian cuisine
+Easy to grow with quick 80-85 day maturity from seed to harvest
+Uniform, full habit produces bushier plants with consistent leaf production

Considerations

-Perilla species can self-seed aggressively and become invasive in some regions
-Pink-tinged undersides may fade or reduce visual appeal in insufficient sunlight
-Prefers consistent moisture and warm temperatures; struggles in cool climates

Companion Plants

Tomatoes and peppers are natural neighbors for perilla — same warm-season timing, similar water and fertility needs, and they belong to a completely different plant family. That last part matters more than people think. NC State Extension notes that mixing plant families confines early pest damage to smaller areas, which gives you more time to act before something spreads. Marigolds work on the same principle and are worth including even if you're skeptical of the specific pest-confusion mechanisms.

Rue, sage, and thyme are the ones to keep at a distance, though for different reasons. Rue (Ruta graveolens) produces alkaloids that can suppress nearby plants outright. Sage and thyme are a subtler mismatch: both prefer lean, dry, low-fertility soil in the pH 6.0–8.0 range, and perilla needs consistent moisture and feeding to reach its 80-85 day harvest. You can grow them in the same garden — just not the same bed.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Basil repels tomato hornworms and aphids, may improve tomato flavor

Peppers

Basil deters aphids and spider mites that commonly affect peppers

Oregano

Both herbs have similar growing requirements and repel common garden pests

Lettuce

Basil provides light shade for lettuce and repels aphids that damage leafy greens

Asparagus

Basil repels asparagus beetles and doesn't compete for root space

Marigolds

Both plants repel aphids and whiteflies, creating a stronger pest deterrent

Parsley

Similar water and nutrient needs, basil helps repel pests that affect parsley

Carrots

Basil improves soil health and repels carrot flies without root competition

Keep Apart

Rue

Allelopathic properties inhibit basil growth and development

Sage

Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt basil growth

Thyme

Can inhibit basil germination and early growth through allelopathy

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Troubleshooting Asia Ip

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings are leggy and pale, stretching toward the light within the first 2-3 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — perilla needs 4-6+ hours of direct sun and will stretch fast under weak indoor lighting
Starting too early indoors, so plants are sitting under lights for too long before transplant conditions are ready

What to Do

1.Move seedlings to the brightest south-facing window you have, or drop grow lights to within 3-4 inches of the tops
2.Pinch the growing tip once seedlings hit 4 inches to encourage bushier growth before transplant
3.If you started in February and plants are already leggy by late March, pot up and harden off early rather than letting them stretch further indoors

Leaves are stippled, pale, or have a dusty webbing on the undersides in hot, dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — they thrive when temperatures push above 85°F and humidity drops
Drought-stressed plants, which are more susceptible to mite buildup — NC State Extension's IPM guidance makes this point directly

What to Do

1.Knock mites off with a strong spray of water aimed at the undersides of leaves where they cluster
2.Water consistently — letting the soil dry out repeatedly is what tips a minor mite presence into a real infestation
3.If populations are heavy, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening when temperatures are below 90°F; repeat every 5-7 days for 2-3 applications

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Asia Ip shiso take to grow?▼

Asia Ip shiso reaches harvest in 80-85 days. This heirloom variety develops into a full, uniform habit with distinctive medium green leaves tinged pink on the undersides. Once established, you can begin harvesting leaves regularly while the plant continues to mature and produce additional foliage throughout the growing season.

Is shiso good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Asia Ip shiso is marked as 'Easy' difficulty, making it excellent for beginners. It's a hardy heirloom variety that tolerates various conditions and requires only basic care. The plant develops a strong, full habit naturally, and you can start harvesting leaves regularly without special techniques, making it very forgiving for new gardeners.

Can you grow Asia Ip shiso in containers?▼

Yes, Asia Ip shiso grows well in containers. The plant's uniform, full habit makes it well-suited for pot cultivation. Use well-draining soil and ensure containers receive 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container growing allows better control over moisture and soil conditions, and the edible leaves and flowers can be harvested conveniently throughout the season.

What does Asia Ip shiso taste like?▼

Asia Ip shiso has a minty, basil-like flavor with hints of clove and cumin. It's noticeably stronger in flavor than standard green shiso varieties. The leaves are versatile in Asian cuisine, pairing beautifully with fish, rice, noodles, and cucumbers. Even the edible flowers add a flavorful dimension to salads and Asian dishes.

How much sun does Asia Ip shiso need?▼

Asia Ip shiso thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some afternoon shade, the plant performs best with consistent sunlight exposure. This flexibility makes it suitable for various garden locations and microclimates, from sunnier spots to areas with dappled shade.

What are the culinary uses of Asia Ip shiso?▼

Asia Ip shiso leaves and flowers are used fresh in Asian cooking. Leaves pair excellently with fish, rice, noodles, and cucumbers, often used in sushi, sashimi garnish, and Asian salads. The edible flowers add flavor and visual appeal to salads and dishes. The stronger flavor profile makes it ideal for cooks seeking a more assertive shiso variety with clove and cumin undertones.