Also called Japanese basil or beefsteak plant. Its incredible flavor resemble a mix of cinnamon, mint, and cloves. Young leaves are harvested and used in salads in asian cuisine. Can be a perennial depending on the region.
Scientific Name: Perilla frutescens
Plant Life Cycle: Annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 22°C
Germination time in days: 10-21 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 80-85 days
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil requirement: rich, well-drained soil (Clay, Chalk, Sand, Loam / Alkaline, Neutral, Acid / Well-drained)
Sowing and cultivation: Start your seeds indoors four to six weeks before last frost. Surface sow the seeds. They need light to germinate.. Keep soil at a temperature of 24C. Keep soil moist rather than wet. Pinch the growing tips to promote bushier plants when the seedlings have reached 6 inches high. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and space 12 to 15 inches apart.