Perilla: The Aromatic Annual That’s Taking Root Across America
If you’ve been wandering through gardens or wild spaces lately and noticed an aromatic plant with serrated leaves and tiny flower spikes, you might have encountered perilla. This annual herb has quietly established itself across much of North America, and gardeners are starting to take notice of its ornamental and culinary potential.
What Exactly Is Perilla?
Perilla is an annual forb – basically a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Don’t let the simple classification fool you, though. This aromatic beauty brings both visual interest and practical uses to the garden table.
The plant produces attractive serrated leaves that can range from green to deep purple, depending on the variety. Come late summer, perilla sends up delicate spikes of small white or purple flowers that add a subtle charm to any planting.
Where Does Perilla Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting: perilla isn’t actually native to North America. This plant originally hails from East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea. However, it has thoroughly naturalized across a impressive swath of the United States and even parts of Canada.
You can now find perilla growing in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.
Should You Grow Perilla in Your Garden?
The million-dollar question for any gardener: is perilla worth adding to your plant palette? The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
The perilla pros:
- Easy to grow from seed with minimal fuss
- Attractive foliage that works well in borders and containers
- Aromatic leaves add sensory interest to garden spaces
- Small flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators
- Can be grown successfully in USDA hardiness zones 2-11 as an annual
- Works beautifully in herb gardens and Asian-themed landscapes
Things to consider:
- As a non-native species, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as native plants
- Can self-seed readily, which means it might pop up unexpectedly in future seasons
- Takes up garden space that could be dedicated to native species
Growing Perilla Successfully
If you decide to give perilla a try, you’ll be pleased to know it’s refreshingly straightforward to grow.
Light and location: Perilla thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s quite adaptable, making it suitable for various spots in your garden.
Soil needs: Well-drained soil is key. Perilla isn’t overly picky about soil type, but it definitely doesn’t appreciate soggy conditions.
Water requirements: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering during dry spells will keep your perilla happy and productive.
Planting tips:
- Start from seed in spring after the last frost date
- Seeds can be direct sown in the garden or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost
- Space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation
- Pinch flower buds if you want to maintain attractive foliage throughout the season
Native Alternatives to Consider
While perilla can certainly earn its place in the garden, consider balancing your plantings with native species that offer similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Some excellent native alternatives include:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda species) for aromatic foliage and pollinator appeal
- Native mints (Mentha arvensis) for herb garden applications
- Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) for similar flower spikes and bee appeal
- Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum species) for aromatic leaves and native pollinator support
The Bottom Line on Perilla
Perilla represents one of those garden plants that sits in an interesting middle ground. It’s not invasive enough to avoid entirely, but it’s not native enough to plant without consideration. If you’re drawn to its aromatic foliage and easy-care nature, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it in your garden – just consider pairing it with native species to create a more ecologically balanced landscape.
Whether you choose to grow perilla or opt for native alternatives, the most important thing is creating a garden space that brings you joy while supporting the broader ecosystem around you.
