Botanical Interests
Members save $0.20
Not a member? Join today. Sale Sold out280 seeds
Free shipping on orders over $79
Product Details
Product Details
An absolute must for herb gardens! Also called Japanese basil or beefsteak plant, shiso's incredible flavor can be described as a combination of cinnamon, mint, and clove with overtones of cumin. A beautiful, heat- and drought-tolerant bedding plant that attracts pollinators, and is excellent for containers. This packet provides 75% green shiso and 25% red.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Lamiaceae
Native: Asia
Hardiness: Usually grown as a frost-sensitive annual; perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer.
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 18" tall
Variety Info: Either green, widely toothed leaves, or mulberry-red, sharply serrated, crinkled leaves.
Attributes: Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 65°–75°F.
When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date.
Days to Emerge: 5–21 days
Seed Depth: Press into surface
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 12"–18"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest leaves any time after plant is a few inches tall, but before it flowers. Once plant flowers, the leaves drop.
- Jes C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 20, 20255 Stars
Not the easiest thing for a beginner to grow but I managed to have a few germinate. Only one has survived but that is ok. I believe it to be the green variety unless it will change colors later on like some other plants I have. I will be keeping it in a pot and clipping any flowers as it is in the mint family and can become problematic. To the other commenters, do your own research and take precautions to what you grow in your area. Many things can become invasive if not managed. This plant is also toxic to many animals so don't plant it where your pet can consume it.
- Owen L.Rated 5 out of 5 starsAug 23, 20245 Stars
Good flavor, not overly bitter. Beautiful flowers, but have been cutting them off to continue harvesting the leaves.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Mica G.AZ, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 starsFeb 27, 2026Not growing
Have tried multiple seeds in different ways in controlled indoor garden, but they don't seem to work.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? ContainerEGEpic GardeningMar 11, 2026Hey Mica,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Salsabila S.Verified ReviewerRated 1 out of 5 starsFeb 11, 2026disappointed by this seeds
I tried more than 2 times to sow seeds, I had used about 20 seeds but not even one seed germinate.. the weather in my area was around 20 C degree and I water it regularly... the sun also was about 4-5 hours.... what should I do more?
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningFeb 16, 2026Hey Salsabila,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Richard P.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 starsSep 22, 2025Very disappointed.
I tried planting the seeds 3 different times—even once after soaking—and not a single seed germinated. And I have flourishing herbs growing in the same pot. I watered regularly too. Can’t explain the performance. Maybe oldbseeds.
Richard Price
Which best describes you as a gardener? ExpertEGEpic GardeningSep 24, 2025Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I’ve also reached out to you directly via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is very important to us, and we’re committed to making sure your experience is a positive one. While we don’t sell old seeds, there are a variety of factors that can affect germination, and I’d love to help troubleshoot with you to see what might have happened.
Thanks again for your input, and happy growing! 🌱
