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How to Grow Korean Perilla Leaves – All You Need to Know!

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Perilla is a genus of the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Perilla frutescens, also known as Deulkkae, Perilla, or Korean Perilla, is a herb used in Korean cuisine.

The leaves are usually slightly pointy and have a deep green color. They have a slightly minty flavor, and people often use them as wraps for meat or as a garnish. In addition, Korean Perilla leaves have been used for centuries in Korea to help with digestive issues.

In this article, you’ll learn how to grow Korean Perilla leaves.

Growing Perilla is a new trend in home gardens.

For the excellent flavor and aroma of Perilla leaves, you can eat them raw or cooked. In addition, it has many health benefits, such as treating colds, asthma, and stomach aches.

This blog post will discuss how to grow Korean Perilla leaves, including the best time to plant them and how to care for them.

That said, let’s begin!

How to grow Korean Perilla leaves? | Image via Sous Chef.

Best Zones to Grow Perilla Leaves!

The annual herb Perilla grows well in all planting zones, although the best zones for growing Perilla leaves are 6–9. It is because the plant will have the longest growing season and the ideal growth temperature in these zones.

Perilla leaves need full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil to thrive.

If you live in a colder climate, you can grow Perilla leaves indoors as long as you provide them with enough light.

How to Grow Korean Perilla Leaves?

Growing Perilla leaves is not difficult, but there are some steps you should take to make sure you have a successful harvest.

Locate Planting Site

Perilla leaves are aggressive spreaders, so choose a site isolated from other plants. In addition, you should grow such herbs in containers to avoid their overgrowth.

We will discuss both methods of growing Perilla—in containers and in garden beds.

Get Your Seeds

The first step is to get your seeds. You can buy them at most nurseries or order them online through gardening sites.

Soak the Seeds

To plant Perilla seeds effectively, start by soaking them in water for 24 hours. It will help them germinate more quickly.

Planting Perilla Outdoors!

For growing outdoors, plant the seeds with proper spacing in the ground.

Make sure the soil temperature is around 55°F–70°F for successful growth. The seeds should be planted about 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart from each other in rows.

Save your plant from cold winter climates that cause it to die.

However, the roots will remain alive and give new sprouts next spring.

Create Green House

Once you see seeds sprouting, cover the crop with plastic sheets to maintain humidity and save them from frost, it will also act as a greenhouse to help the plant grow faster.

Plant Indoors!

You will need to plant the Perilla seeds indoors or in a greenhouse because they do not like the cold weather.

Another main reason to grow Korean Perilla leaves indoors is their invasive nature—it would help if you kept its roots in a pot to avoid them taking over your garden bed.

Select Pot

Take a 12- to 15-inch pot with drainage holes to plant Perilla leaves. Invest in a plain, lightweight plastic container if you plan to grow this plant in your garden later. It is best to prevent the Perilla from taking over other plants while making it a part of your garden.

Select Potting Mix

Grow Perilla in rich, well-draining soil containing 1/3 organic matter, such as aged compost. It would be best to improve drainage by adding 1/3 of landscape sand. You may use garden soil or make a potting mix.

Water

The next step is to keep the seedlings well-watered until they sprout their first set of true leaves. Water regularly during dry spells to keep the soil moist (not soggy). It’s best to water your Korean Perilla leaves in the morning so it has enough moisture throughout the day during heat hours.

Fertilize

Fertilize Perilla monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season (spring to fall). Don’t forget to follow the labeled instructions.

Growing Perilla Leaves from Seeds | 깻잎 재배 – YouTube

Additional Tips to Grow Korean Perilla Leaves!

Here are some additional tips for growing Korean Perilla leaves.

  • To care for your Perilla plant, water it regularly and fertilize it every few weeks.
  • Perilla plants can be susceptible to pests and diseases, so check them regularly for signs of problems.
  • Perilla plants need full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • When growing indoors, keep your Perilla container away from things that might dry it out, such as a heater or a radiator.

Now that you know how to grow Korean Perilla leaves, it’s time to harvest them.

How to Harvest Perilla Leaves?

Here are the steps:

  • To harvest Perilla leaves, snip them off at the stem using sharp shears or a knife.
  • You can harvest the leaves anytime during the growing season.
  • If you want to use the leaves fresh, snip them off just before you use them.
  • If you want to dry the leaves, cut them when they are at their peak and dry them in a cool, dark place.
  • It is best to harvest Perilla leaves when they are 6–8 inches long.

Now, let’s see how you can store them.

How to Store Perilla Leaves?

To store Perilla leaves, first, make sure they are clean and dry. Then you can also wrap the leaves in a paper towel before and place them in the refrigerator and use them within 2–3 days.

For longer storage, dry Korean Perilla leaves by spreading them loosely in a small tray. You can either airdry Perilla leaves or bake them to dry. Once the leaves are brittle, store them in airtight containers for more prolonged use.

That’s all.


Conclusion!

To conclude the talk, I would like to highlight that you can quickly grow Korean Perilla leaves in a pot or on the ground.

They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. Water the plants regularly, especially during hot weather. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

So, you have learned all about how to grow Korean Perilla leaves.

Did this article help to grow your Korean Perilla leaves? Tell us your gardening tales in the comments below!

Regards.