Red Shiso Seeds

Sow seeds indoors in early spring or direct sow outdoors after the last frost. Keep soil moist and in a sunny position. Surface sow 2-3 seeds per hole on firm, damp soil and gently pat down. Cover the sown area with a sheet of newspaper and keep it in the shade to encourage germination.

Seedlings usually appear in 7–14 days. Sow from March to September.

Its flavour is often described as a mix of basil, mint, and cinnamon, adding a fresh, aromatic note to dishes.

Yes, it grows well in pots with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. It is suited to pots, beds and windowsills.

Watering: keep soil moist, avoid waterlogging. It is an annual, completing its whole life in one season, so sow again the following year.

Yes — this is a straightforward packet to give, and what makes it work as a gift is mostly timing. Sowing runs March to September, so a packet given inside that window can go straight in, and one given outside it keeps perfectly well until the season comes round.

There are approximately 300 seeds in the packet, so there is plenty to share. On effort it needs some love, which matters if you are giving it to someone new to growing. It suits pots, beds and windowsills, so it works for a small space as well as a garden.