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Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color: Pink Violet/Lavender White/Near White
Bloom Time: Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous Aromatic
Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive Flowers are fragrant Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
!!!WARNING!!! This Plant is Extremely Toxic to rabbits or other small rodent/pets I fed a small amount to my rabbits and within hours they were both dead!!!!
On Apr 28, 2009, Stargell from Pittsburgh, PA wrote:
I have a plant called Cryptotaenia japonica atropurpurea that looks very similar. Common name is japanese parsley I believe. It seems to be a perennial (in Pittsburgh PA) and is an aggressive spreader. It's supposed to be edible. Is it the same plant?
On Apr 28, 2009, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote:Editor's Note
The primary toxic compound found in this plant is perilla ketone.
These compounds have been shown to be toxic to the lungs of cattle, sheep, horses and laboratory animals. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the toxins are mostly concentrated in the flower clusters. Most cases of poisoning occur after flowering, in late summer or early fall. Limited data is available about the toxicity in humans.
Perilla oil may cause dermatitis.
We tend to err on the side of caution in PlantFiles, and the danger notation in the details above is to warn gardeners, parents and pet owners to look further for more information.
On Apr 27, 2009, dplooster from Leavenworth, KS wrote:
This lovely little plant came up on its own in a shade garden beneath our front maple and quickly filled in a spot that had previously stubbornly remained bare. Seems very happy in the shade, believe it's probably a bit more contained there than in full sun. Prolific, but easily managed.
On Jun 23, 2007, KyWoods from Melbourne, KY (Zone 6a) wrote:
Extremely invasive here, but so pretty! I'd be happy if I could remove them from everywhere they shouldn't be, and just save seeds to sow in one place. There are so many, though, it'd be an overwhelming task. Don't let them reseed freely!
On Apr 30, 2007, cbarthell2 from Austin, TX wrote:
My sister gave me a pot of this a few years ago and since then I've always had a new crop because it self seeds. Summers here are extremely hot and it does well even in full sun, although it would probably be a little happier with afternoon part sun rather than full.
On Jul 4, 2004, crimsontsavo from Crossville, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:
Baa I'D this plant for me when my dog ate several of the leaves. Was very worried about him getting ill til I read comments about people eating it's leaves?
Overall we have had this plant for many years and love it. You don't have a garden unless you have Perilla. Lovely plant that adds not only color but a pungent scent to the garden when brushed or during a very hot day.Looks as though you could use it to dye fabrics purple. I rubbed some cloth with it and it is a nice shade of pruple.
Who knows what all you can use Perilla for. :-)
My wife and I have been growing and eating the green beefsteak plant for years, the leaves are the Japanese equivilent to basil. I like it very much, and have used it in sandwiches in place of lettuce. we grew the red leaved beefsteak one year, had very little flavor, just contributed a nice color to dishes. If you have eaten sushi, you most likely have tasted it.
On Jul 7, 2003, nipajo from Dallas, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
They are invasive, but they fill up a garden nicely. when you have a bare spot, just add one and next year you will have twenty. they are like coleus in that they bloom like the coleus.
On May 31, 2003, maguire5700 from Ronkonkoma, NY wrote:
This plant looks beautiful in the garden and grows well in sun or shade. However, it self seeds and every years multiplies like crazy. I now have to weed them out by the hundreds. No exaggeration.
One vendor has this plant for sale.
