Care

Shiso prefers full sun, it is not frost tolerant so must be kept indoors to survive the winter. Once outside shiso will prosper until the first frost when it must be taken indoors until spring.

Soil

Pot the shiso plant on into a larger container of potting compost as soon as you like - the pot provided is completely biodegradable. Shiso prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Usage

Shiso lends itself equally well to desserts, drinks, pickles and pestos with an intriguing mint / basil / anise flavour. Or you can just eat the leaves fresh from the plant if you want.

GROW

Keep plants well watered, especially during dry spells in summer. Growing to around 80cm (32in), traditional lemon balm makes a mass of green leaves, but there are several showier cultivars available and plants that have a more compact habit of growth. In early summer, cut back variegated cultivars to encourage strongly coloured growth. Cut back plants after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.

Rejuvenate

Congested is the term used to describe a dense mass of overcrowded roots in the ground or a container.

congested clumps of lemon balm by lifting and dividing in the autumn.

Protect plants in

Pots are plastic, metal, ceramic (incl. terracotta) or biodegradable containers with drainage holes in their base. They range in diameter typically from 5-90cm (2in-3ft), but 7.5-15cm (3-5in) are most commonly used for growing on plants and sowing seeds (although seed trays and seed pans (short pots) are also used for seed).

Pots from excessive winter wet by moving into a sheltered position and raising up onto pot feet to allow excess moisture to drain away.

Care

Not a fussy plant, like to have good drainage. Easily suffocated by weeds, try to keep in its own pot whilst young. Grows 30 - 60cm in height.

Soil

Best on fertile soil with good drainage, don’t over water the plant.

Usage

Great in stir fry dishes, flowers can be pickled.