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Bicolor Shiso is a striking annual herb that transforms any garden into a conversation piece with its jewel-toned foliage: vibrant green leaves paired with deep purple undersides. This cultivar of Perilla frutescens matures in 70-79 days and reaches 24-30 inches tall, making it substantial enough to anchor a culinary herb bed or container garden. The real draw is what lies beneath those purple-backed leaves, a sophisticated mint-basil flavor with gentle spicy notes that elevates Asian dishes and garnishes in ways ordinary herbs simply cannot. Organic and open-pollinated, it thrives in full sun and rewards gardeners with both visual drama and genuine culinary elegance.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
30in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The combination of striking appearance and refined flavor makes Bicolor Shiso a standout in the herb garden. Those distinctive purple undersides aren't just beautiful; they signal the presence of the very compounds that give the leaf its complex mint-basil character with subtle heat. Grown organically and open-pollinated, this variety brings authentic heirloom genetics to both container and garden settings. It reaches a generous 24-30 inches, so a single plant provides substantial harvests rather than token pinches. For gardeners who want their herbs to do double duty as ornament and ingredient, this variety delivers on both fronts.
Use Bicolor Shiso leaves fresh as a garnish on sushi, rice bowls, and Asian noodle dishes, where their visual impact and mint-basil flavor brighten the plate. The leaves work beautifully in light soups, with fish, and as a wrapped component in hand rolls. Their gentle spice makes them excellent for infusions and as a finishing herb for grain dishes. The purple undersides add visual drama to any presentation, making this herb equally at home on a restaurant-quality plate as it is in everyday home cooking.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds on the soil surface or press them lightly into moist seed-starting mix; they prefer light for germination. Maintain soil temperature around 70°F and provide consistent moisture. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all frost danger has passed.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting to full sun. Plant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart, either in garden beds, containers, or raised beds. Ensure soil drains well and receives full sun throughout the day.
Direct sowing is possible in warm soil after all frost danger has passed. Sow seeds on the surface or press lightly into moist soil, spacing seeds 12 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings establish.
Begin harvesting leaves 70-79 days after planting or when plants reach 12 inches tall. Pinch off individual leaves from the top of stems, starting with the uppermost leaves to encourage branching. Harvest regularly throughout the season; consistent picking promotes fuller, bushier growth and extends the productive window. The leaves are ready to use fresh and maintain their striking color and flavor longest when harvested in early morning.
Pinch back the growing tips when seedlings are 4-6 inches tall to encourage bushier, more compact growth. Remove flower buds as they appear if you want to extend the leaf-harvesting season, as flowering diverts energy from foliage production. The upright growth habit means the plant naturally maintains good structure without aggressive pruning, but regular harvesting serves as a form of pruning and keeps the plant productive.
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“Shiso belongs to the Perilla genus, a plant deeply woven into East Asian culinary traditions for centuries. The Bicolor cultivar represents a modern selection that emphasizes the ornamental potential of naturally color-varied shiso leaves. As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, it carries forward the genetic diversity that allows home gardeners to save seeds season after season, preserving the traits that make this specific cultivar distinctive. Its path to Western gardeners reflects the growing appreciation for Asian culinary herbs and the seed-saving movement's commitment to maintaining genetic heritage outside industrial breeding programs.”