Shiso, also called sesame or beefsteak plant, has smaller leaves and a stronger, aromatic flavor than the Japanese or Korean Perilla and beautiful red-purple underside the deep green leaves. It has an incredible flavor that can be described as a combination of cinnamon, mint, and clove with overtones of cumin. Perilla is commonly used in many countries in Asia for culinary purposes, notable in the US as part of the Vietnamese bouquet for the noodle dish, "Pho." It has medicinal properties as well. An edible plant, perilla is a very attractive plant for the garden and attracts butterflies. Perilla leaves are also rich in vitamins A, C, and riboflavin. Sowing: Shiso seeds benefit from a 24 hour soak before planting.Sow seeds with only a light sprinkle of seed starting mix over them as they need light to germinate. Plant more than you need as probably only 50% of your seeds will sprout. Germination can take anywhere between 2 -4 weeks, so be patient! Growing: Shiso thrives in warm, humid climates, and does best in places with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Grow Shiso in deep and round containers on its own. Allow at least 20 cm between plants to enable shiso leaves to spread and grow big. It’s root system can compete with other plants, so choose only shallow rooted plants for companion planting like rocket/arugula and bok choy. Place your containers in the area with the most sunlight on your balcony or corridor. When watering, water below the lowest leaves to avoid getting the leaves wet. If that proves difficult, ensure there is enough air circulation so that the leaves dry out after each watering. Water once every 3 days or only when the top part of the soil is dry. However, if plants are kept in a very windy area, water them once a day. Harvesting: You can harvest the leaves about 2 months after transplanting. To harvest, simply cut just above the junction of a pair of leaves on the plant. Pruning techniques are similar to basil. Keep pruning to keep the plant bushy rather than growing tall. Ensure there are at least 4 leaves remaining on the plant so it can continue to photosynthesis and produce enough energy for new growth. Buy Seeds Online,Organic Seeds,Heirloom Seeds,Non-GMO Seeds,Vegetable Seeds,Flower Seeds,Herb Seeds,Fruit Seeds,Garden Seeds,Seed Starter Kits,Rare Seeds,Bulk Seeds,Indoor Gardening Seeds,Seed Catalog,Seed Packs for Sale,Sustainable Seeds,Greenhouse Seeds,Seed Suppliers,Planting Seeds,Home Garden Seeds