PlantFiles: Perilla
Perilla 'Magellanica'

I'm confused by prior comments...is perilla toxic or edible? I'm reminded of the late George Carlin's old routine about flammable versus inflammable. His question was, "does it flam, or doesn't it!"
I had almost overwhelming success with it perilla. I was given a 20"x12" coir lined hanging basket that turned into a real project. You can't just plunk this size gizmo just any ole where, so after calm consideration and the purchase of many feet of chain designed to support porch swings, the hubby and I got out our telescoping ladder, propped it up against a tall tree, in affixed the chain to a really strong branch with an "S" hook, with the bottom of the basket about 5" off the ground. The hubby left for an air show and I watched my video. Yes, Virginia, it came with a video. I learned that I should plant only 4-5" plants around the sides and top edges, none of those piddly little 6 packers. Here's the drill: all 5' 2" of me unpotted each of 29 plants, one at a time, soaking each root clump in a bucket of water, climbing up a short step-ladder, inserting it into the sides through a silver dollar size hole, and spreading the roots back out. This after filling a layer on the bottom with potting soil with fertilizer granules, also hand carried. Bottom row, seven plants, add more soil, next row 14 plants, more soil, around the top edge, 8 more plants, with their roots fanned out to tilt an spill over the edge, and then.....3, 6" pots of perilla. I used a combination of lime green sweet potato vine, a grey green little leafed plant around the top edge that I found in Houston, called licorice,begonias, and portulacas. I was one pooped LOL! BT(before texting), LOL stood for little ole lady not, laughed out loud.
This all happened in Austin's very long mild Spring, which let all my plants get a good grip before we got hit with double digits for it seemed like forever. But about the perilla, I took pix as the basket grew. At first, everything grew and concealed the basket structure as promised in the video, then it became clear that the perilla and the sweet potato vine were in a dead heat to take over the world, not to mention keeping me hopping to keep 'em watered. Soon the perilla shot up and out to a 5" circumferance and the sweet potato vine went 'till it hit the grass and curled back upwards. The two colors and the sheer size of it were stunning. Then came August, and daily watering, and engaging friends to come by and tend it while we left for a little over a week.
I always host my garden club in September, and while I can always re-arrange other smaller hanging basket or pots if they don't look party ready...it was clear that I'd have to baby the big basket until then, no getting that down easily. I've given oodles of cuttings away from the perilla and the vine. Now that it's down to me, and it's finally back down to the 80's, I'm going to prune all of the outer half of the perilla, in hopes that the other plants, (yup they're still in there) will have a chance to show themselves. The perilla roots very easily in water, and since I've had so much, I've even jammed stems that have broken off, uncermoniously into soil in pots. I was told it's a "tender perrenial" and if sheltered, might winter over. That was Houston talking, I'm not so sure about Austin. I plan to try to bring in cuttings to hedge my bet and leave some out to see.
I'd be glad to share if I knew how to send 'em, for nearby friends I wrap stems in wet paper towel and stick 'em in a zip-loc. I'm a Dave's newbie, so ya'll give me a clue. If someone can tell me how, I'll post a few pix. Sylguy

ps When I described the basket to my friend at the hardware store where I got the chain and said it got morning sun and was sheilded by trees from the afternoon hottest sun, she said, " so you have it on a swivel?" Oh no I didn't, so at that point, aforementioned hubby stood under it, raising it up like Atlas, so I'd have enough slack in the chain, from that big ladder, to add my shiny new swivel. I highly recommend doing it earlier in the project!

This gorgeous and very versatile plant is an edible ornamental and is shade tolerant. I grow mine in the shady entryway to my apt. People often compliment me on its beauty. I use the leaves in floral arrangements too.

It may be easily reproduced from cuttings by putting them in water. :)

Its leaves are used in many Asian dishes including sashimi, or as a cilantro substitute in cooking. Its flavor is similar, and cilantro bolts easily in my climate.
This is also an edible garnish. I use it to prettify various dishes including soups and salads.

However, I disagree with "average water needs". I would say that this plant likes more water than average and desires consistently moist soil. It is somewhat resistant to overwatering and will grow in poorly drained areas. Plus, it sulks and wilts when I water it the same amount as I water my basils.

Visitor's to my garden always comment on the beauty of this plant.
Perilla roots very easy in just a glass of water. I bought a plant a couple of years ago and take cuttings to grow indoors for the winter. Come spring I put it back outside.

Perilla Magilla does well, so I am hoping that this new one will too....