AO SHISO SEEDS

Perilla frutescen var. crispa

A traditional Japanese herb, if you’ve ever eaten Sushi you’ve undoubtedly already had Ao Shiso — it’s the green leaf tucked in with the pickled ginger and packet of soy sauce in your takeout container. Plucked directly from the plant, Ao Shiso has a unique, delicate flavor that is perfect for Japanese cuisine, and for all manner of non-Japanese summer salads.

Germinating Shiso seeds can be tricky. Try popping the seed packet into the freezer for a few days, then soak seeds overnight and up to 24 hours. Sow onto moist soil, just barely covering with fine vermiculite as seed requires light to germinate, and cover with plastic to maintain moisture. Kept warm (70F) and moist in bright light, seeds should germinate within 2 weeks. Germination can be erratic. Carefully pluck out seedlings once they have true leaves to grow on in individual containers in warm temperatures and bright light. Shiso can sometimes grow rapidly, requiring it be transplanted to bigger and bigger pots before it can be transplanted outdoors after the last frost. Pinch Ao Shiso seedlings once they have several sets of true leaves to promote branching and encourage growth of more tender, tasty leaves.

Ao Shiso makes an excellent bedding and container plant. Keep plant trimmed to promote branching. Allowing Ao Shiso to flower will diminish its culinary value. Allowed to self-sow, all Shiso can become a nuissance. It is best to keep this plant trimmed. Tasty leaves are excellent tucked into pickles and tossed into both sweet and savory salads. Sublime in summer rolls.

Though it can tolerate full sun in cool climates, it prefers part or dappled shade in hot summer climates. Keep stems pinched to maintain shape and to keep the plant from flowering.

Packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.