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North American native species have captured the imaginations of gardeners all over the world, but only a few species have broken through to become horticultural staples. On this premiere episode of Fine Gardening’s newly redesigned podcast (formerly known as Let’s Argue About Plants), our expert guests join us from two widely acclaimed botanical gardens specializing in native plants. Listen in as they reveal some of their favorite underappreciated native plant species that do not get enough love from the gardening world, and that more of us across the country could be growing.
Podcast Episode Experts: Melissa Starkey is the marketing and communications manager and an instructor at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware.
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If you’re looking for a plant that doesn’t demand much attention, yet looks charming year-round, then hens and chicks are one of the best choices to have in your garden.
These hardy little succulents are known for their rosette shape and their habit of producing “babies” (the chicks) around the main plant.
They thrive in tough conditions, don’t mind a bit of neglect, and somehow still manage to look effortlessly put together.
What makes hens and chicks especially fun is how versatile they are when it comes to planting.
You’re not limited to traditional pots—these plants actually shine in creative, slightly unconventional containers.
From rustic finds to quirky upcycled pieces, they adapt easily and often look even better when tucked into something unexpected.
Why Are Hens and Chicks Perfect for Creative Planters?
Before you dive into the ideas, it’s worth knowing why hens and chicks are perfect for creative, unconventional planters.
Built for tough conditions: Hens and chicks are incredibly hardy and thrive where most plants struggle. They prefer well-draining soil and minimal watering, even enjoying a bit of neglect.
Shallow roots, endless possibilities: Their shallow roots mean they don’t need deep containers to grow well. Small spaces like teacups, cracks, or old boots work perfectly.
Compact and low-maintenance growth: These plants stay small and grow slowly, so they’re easy to manage. The “chicks” spread gently around the main plant, keeping things neat.
Naturally decorative without extra work: As the chicks fill in, they create a layered, full look on their own. You get a styled appearance without putting in much effort.
Perfect for experimenting with containers: You can plant them in almost anything with decent drainage. This flexibility makes them ideal for creative and repurposed planters.
16 Hens and Chicks Planted Ideas to Try
Whether you want something decorative for your patio, a small accent for a windowsill, or a conversation piece for your garden, there’s plenty of inspiration here to get you started.
1. Teacup Hens and Chicks Planter
A teacup might not be the first thing that comes to mind for planting, but it’s surprisingly perfect for hens and chicks.
Their shallow roots mean they don’t need much space, and the compact size of a teacup actually helps create that neat, cozy look.
Just make sure to add a bit of gravel at the bottom for drainage. Place it on a windowsill, coffee table, or even your work desk—it’s one of those small details that quietly brightens up a space.
2. Broken Pot Fairy Garden
A cracked or chipped pot doesn’t have to be thrown away—in fact, it can turn into one of the most eye-catching planters for hens and chicks.
By arranging the broken pieces into layers, you can create a little stepped landscape that feels almost like a miniature hillside. The rosettes naturally settle into the gaps, making the whole thing look intentional rather than accidental.
Add a few small stones, tiny figurines, or even a bit of moss to give it that fairy garden vibe.
Over time, the chicks will spread and soften the edges, giving the planter a slightly wild, storybook feel without needing much effort.
A small wooden crate gives hens and chicks a more rustic, laid-back setting to grow in. It’s a good option if you want something that looks relaxed but still thoughtfully put together.
You can line the crate with landscape fabric and fill it with a gritty soil mix to keep drainage in check.
Arrange a few larger hens in the center, then let the chicks gradually fill in the space around them. Over time, the crate starts to look fuller and more established, almost like a mini succulent bed you can move around as needed.
4. Old Boot Planter
An old boot might not seem like a planter at first glance, but it works surprisingly well for hens and chicks. The shape naturally holds soil, and the slightly worn look adds character you just can’t replicate with new pots.
You can plant directly into the opening and let a few chicks spill over the edges for a more relaxed look.
If the sole is sturdy, just poke a couple of drainage holes to keep things from getting soggy. Set it near a doorstep, along a pathway, or tucked between other pots—it adds a bit of personality without trying too hard.
5. Wall-Mounted Frame Planter
If you’re short on space, a wall-mounted frame can turn hens and chicks into living art. These shallow frames are perfect because the plants don’t need much soil, and their rosettes stay compact without getting messy.
You’ll need a sturdy backing, some wire mesh, and a well-draining soil mix to hold everything in place.
After planting, give the roots a little time to settle before hanging it up. It works beautifully on a sunny balcony wall or even indoors near a bright window, adding greenery without taking up any surface space.
An unused birdbath can easily double as a wide, shallow planter for hens and chicks. The broad surface gives you room to play around with different sizes and varieties, creating a layered look that feels natural and a bit sculptural.
Start with a layer of gravel to improve drainage, then add your soil mix and arrange the plants with a bit of spacing.
You can mix in small stones or pebbles for extra texture. Over time, the chicks will spread across the surface, giving the whole piece a fuller, more established appearance.
7. Log or Driftwood Planter
A hollowed-out log or a piece of driftwood brings a really organic feel to your hens and chicks display. The rough, uneven surface contrasts nicely with the neat, geometric shapes of the plants, making the whole arrangement feel balanced and natural at the same time.
If there’s no natural hollow, you can carve out a shallow space and fill it with soil. Tuck the plants into the grooves and crevices so they look like they’ve always belonged there.
This kind of planter works especially well in rock gardens or along pathways, blending in while still catching the eye.
8. Tiered Planter
A tiered planter gives you a bit more structure to work with while still keeping things interesting.
Instead of everything sitting at one level, you get multiple layers where hens and chicks can spread out. The different heights naturally draw the eye upward, making even a small arrangement feel more dynamic.
Start by placing larger hens on the top tier, then fill in the lower levels with smaller chicks. This creates a nice cascading effect as they grow and multiply.
It’s a great way to make use of vertical space on a patio or balcony without needing anything too complicated.
Concrete blocks might seem plain, but they’re actually perfect for hens and chicks. The built-in openings act like ready-made planting pockets, and the rough, industrial look contrasts nicely with the soft, rounded rosettes.
You can stack a few blocks to create different levels or keep it minimal with just one or two. Fill each cavity with well-draining soil and tuck in your plants.
Over time, the chicks will spill slightly over the edges, softening the hard lines and giving the whole setup a more relaxed feel.
10. Hanging Basket Planter
Hens and chicks aren’t just for ground-level displays—they can work beautifully in hanging baskets too. While they don’t trail like some plants, the chicks will gradually fill out the basket, creating a full, rounded look that’s neat and compact.
Use a shallow basket with a gritty soil mix to avoid excess moisture. Place it somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight, like a balcony or porch.
As the plants grow, the arrangement becomes denser, giving you a tidy, low-maintenance hanging feature that doesn’t need constant attention.
11. Antique Drawer Planter
An old drawer can make a surprisingly charming planter, especially if you like that slightly vintage, lived-in look. The wide, shallow shape works well for hens and chicks, giving them enough room to spread without needing too much depth.
Line the inside with a bit of plastic or fabric to protect the wood, then fill it with a gritty soil mix.
You can arrange the plants in loose clusters rather than perfect rows to keep things feeling natural. Set it on a porch, windowsill, or even directly on the ground for a relaxed, garden-inspired display.
12. Colander Planter
A metal colander might already have everything hens and chicks need—especially when it comes to drainage. Those small holes that once drained pasta water now keep excess moisture from building up, which is exactly what these succulents prefer. It’s a simple idea that works without much effort.
Just add soil, tuck in your plants, and you’re good to go. The slightly industrial look of the metal pairs nicely with the soft greens and reds of the rosettes.
You can place it on a table or hang it up using the handles for a casual, slightly unexpected touch.
13. Stone Bowl Planter
A stone bowl gives hens and chicks a more grounded, natural setting that blends beautifully into outdoor spaces. The weight and texture of the stone make the arrangement feel solid and permanent, almost like it’s part of the landscape rather than something placed on top of it.
Because stone tends to stay cool and stable, it helps create a comfortable environment for the plants. Add a layer of gravel, then arrange your hens and chicks with a bit of spacing so they can fill in over time. It’s a quiet, low-key planter that looks better the longer it sits in place.
Instead of using just one pot, grouping a few terracotta pots together creates a fuller, more layered display. The warm, earthy tones of terracotta pair naturally with hens and chicks, making the whole setup feel cohesive without much effort. It’s simple, but it never looks boring.
You can vary the pot sizes and arrange them slightly off-center for a more relaxed look. Plant a few hens in each pot and let the chicks gradually fill in. As they grow, the cluster starts to feel more connected, almost like one larger arrangement made up of smaller pieces.
15. Gutter Planter
A section of old gutter can be turned into a long, narrow planter that’s perfect for lining a wall or railing. Its shallow depth suits hens and chicks really well, and the length gives you space to create a continuous row of rosettes.
Mount it securely and make sure there are drainage holes along the bottom. Once planted, you’ll get a clean, linear display that looks especially nice on balconies or fences. As the chicks spread, they fill the gaps and create a soft, repeating pattern along the entire length.
16. Wheelbarrow Planter
An old wheelbarrow makes a great statement piece for hens and chicks, especially if you’re going for a slightly rustic garden style. It offers plenty of space to work with, so you can mix different sizes and even combine them with a few rocks for added texture.
Fill it with well-draining soil and arrange your plants loosely rather than packing them in. The slightly tilted shape of a wheelbarrow also helps with drainage, which these plants appreciate. Over time, it develops a full, natural look that feels established and easygoing rather than overly styled.
Hens and chicks are one of those plants that make gardening feel easy. They don’t ask for much, yet they still manage to look interesting in just about any setting.
Whether you’re using something rustic, modern, or completely unexpected, they adapt without fuss and often look better as they settle in.
What really makes them fun is the freedom to experiment. You don’t need perfect containers or a carefully planned layout—sometimes the most casual setups turn out to be the most charming.
As the chicks spread and fill in over time, each planter takes on its own personality, giving you a collection that feels natural and a little different from anything store-bought.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
Price: $100.95 - $42.55 (as of Apr 18, 2026 11:38:02 UTC – Details)
“This book provides excellent information for healthcare teams to work effectively together and ultimately provide the best care for clients. This book is valuable to all healthcare team members…” – Yvonne M. Randall, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA (Touro University Nevada), for Doody’s Review Service The Interprofessional Health Care Team: Leadership and Development, Second Edition provides the much-needed knowledge base for developing a relational leadership style that promotes interdisciplinarity, interprofessionalism, and productive teamwork. It describes possibilities and options, theories, exercises, rich references, and stimulating questions that will inspire both novices and experts to think differently about their roles and styles as leaders or members of a team. The authors provide many tools to empower readers and facilitate the fostering of productive teamwork. It is an inspiring book with easily operational principles. It is written for many audiences and to achieve many goals all centered on best practices to attain quality care, particularly during this time of reinventing and transforming health care. In response to increasingly complex healthcare challenges, models for interprofessional practice and education have received global acceptance as prerequisites for improving population health, improving per capita costs and improving the health care experience. The second edition of The Interprofessional Health Care Team: Leadership and Development reinforces the concepts presented in the first edition, such as: the importance of a strong understanding of group dynamics and group development for team productivity, the relationship of emotional and social intelligence and leadership behaviors and how affiliative environments can encourage creative problem solving in the complex and often chaotic healthcare arena. SECOND EDITION UPDATES The concept of healthcare as a VUCA environment (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) system is expanded in Chapter 1 In Chapter 3, the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) and electronic health record (EHR) on team work, along with examples of how it is used, is introduced as a factor that must be taken into account when examining communication in interprofessional health care teams. How interprofessional healthcare teams can mitigate unconscious bias and leverage diversity to facilitate innovation and best practice is covered in Chapter 7 Strength-based and self-organizing practices that can support the development and sustainability of collaborative cultures are addressed in Chapter 9 ASIN : 1284112004 Publisher : Jones & Bartlett Learning Publication date : November 23, 2016 Edition : 2nd Language : English Print length : 192 pages ISBN-10 : 9781284112009 ISBN-13 : 978-1284112009 Item Weight : 10.5 ounces Dimensions : 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches Best Sellers Rank: #878,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #109 in Health Care Administration #266 in Health Policy (Books) #731 in Health Care Delivery (Books) Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (167) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
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Pharm.D vs Hospital Pharmacy vs Pharmacy Practice explores the evolving relationship between three dynamic branches of modern pharmacy. This insightful book compares their academic scope, clinical roles, and professional opportunities, helping readers understand where each path leads. It explains how Pharm.D graduates, hospital pharmacists, and pharmacy practitioners collaborate to enhance patient care and medication safety. With global trends, career insights, and practical comparisons, the book guides students and professionals in choosing the right direction. Whether you’re preparing for a career decision or redefining your professional identity, this book offers clarity, context, and confidence. Connect with the author, Ragupathy Renganathan, on LinkedIn: 👉 linkedin.com/in/ragupathy-renganathan-389b2529b ASIN : B0FTX5S4JX Publisher : Independently published Publication date : October 4, 2025 Language : English Print length : 104 pages ISBN-13 : 979-8268391985 Item Weight : 11.4 ounces Dimensions : 8.49 x 0.43 x 11.24 inches Best Sellers Rank: #9,648,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #265 in Clinical Pharmacology #3,688 in Pharmacies #35,605 in Basic Medical Sciences
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing and meeting a lot of amazing health experts over the years. Not a single one has ever said that sleep isn’t important. Something as simple (and common) as night lights though are enough to sabotage sleep.
I noticed a big difference once I overhauled my sleep environment and I’ve heard from plenty of readers who say the same. Sleeping in a cool, completely dark space is so important for healthy sleep. It means better sleep quality and more energy from some simple changes (like turning off the ever present night light).
Here’s why:
What’s the Problem With Night Lights?
Light exposure during the night is linked with an increased risk of depression, higher breast cancer risk, brain fog, and unbalanced hormones. As PhD Joyce Walseben explains, light inhibits the secretion of melatonin. And even if we do fall asleep, our brain can still detect the light through our eyelids, making it confused.
A cool, dark nighttime environment is vital for hormone health, yet we often put lights in kids’ rooms. Only within the last 100 years has this even been possible. Before that, there was a natural cycle of light and darkness. While people might have had candles or lamps after dark, there wouldn’t have been lights on all night.
More and more research is emerging that shows a link between nighttime light exposure and health problems. A CDC report and a recent meta-analysis showed a surprising link between lack of sleep and increased cancer risk.
The CDC found that profoundly blind women had less than half the breast cancer risk of women with normal vision. Profoundly blind men had less than half the risk of other cancers as normally sighted men. Even more interesting, those who were legally blind but could still see light didn’t have a reduced cancer risk.
Shift workers (those who work after dark) who are exposed to artificial blue light through the night are more likely to develop cancer. Research shows shift work raises the risk of death from all causes, likely due to circadian disruption and abnormal light exposures.
Night Light Free Zone Importance For Kids
Nighttime light exposure can decrease sleep quality, but it can also shorten the duration of sleep, leading to further problems. A 2024 study in Biomedicines reports that children who get quality sleep are less likely to struggle with obesity. They also point to healthy sleep as having a positive impact on the epigenetics that affect the genes linked with obesity.
Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates. It may also alter hormone levels that affect appetite.
Moreover, Dr. Zee, the director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital reports:
“Perhaps even more important than sleep duration is the effect of day to day variability of sleep wake timing on weight regulation.”
Why Sleep is So Critical For Kids
Sleep is important for everyone, but especially children. This is when our brains clean up from the stress of the day, organize information, and the body goes into recovery mode.
Children who don’t get enough sleep or have disrupted sleep may experience the following:
Allergies and immune system problems
Anxiety and depression
Obesity, diabetes, and future high blood pressure
Poor academic performance and trouble concentrating
Learning and memory problems
ADHD like symptoms
Mood swings and irritability
More stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat
Daytime sleepiness (which leads to many of the above issues)
Blue light from screens and most night lights is especially harmful at night since they signal to the brain it’s daytime. It’s equally important to get morning sunlight to set the circadian rhythms for the day. This further sets the stage for healthy sleep.
Practical Changes For Better Sleep
For years I’ve made getting out into the morning sunshine a daily habit and many of my kids have followed suit. I also model a positive nighttime routine for them and made practical changes in our home lighting. Not only do we use amber lights in the evening, but I also use red light in certain areas (like bathrooms) if needed at night.
Switching to complete darkness as an adult is a relatively easy process. It isn’t so easy for children, especially those who are afraid of the dark or are used to nightlights.
With all the research showing the importance of nighttime darkness, I felt strongly that this was something I wanted my kids to do. It took a little time to get all of the kids used to sleeping in darkness, but they finally did.
Step by Step How to Ditch the Nightlights (Mostly)
My kids’ rooms look a little different now that I have several teens (and one grown and out of the house!). The older kids have a similar setup to my bedroom. When the kids were little, here’s how I helped them transition into a healthy sleep environment for better sleep.
Used blackout shades to cover artificial light from street lights and to help with heating and cooling costs.
Used sound machines to help them stay asleep. The “rain” sound was a favorite. We now have air filters in the bedrooms that have ambient white noise.
My kids have lamps with these amber light bulbs in their bedrooms to use while winding down in the evening. Once it’s bedtime though, these go off. We’ve also used these Himalayan salt lamps that have a red tone in the hallway and bathrooms. This way their rooms are dark, but they can see to go to the bathroom if needed, without blue light disruption.
The same place where I get my amber and red light bulbs from also has red light night lights. These are also a good option for hallways and bathrooms, but I’d avoid putting them in a kid’s room at night.
Helpful Tips For Better Sleep
Years ago when I helped my kids set their rooms up like this, I did a bedtime routine with them to help them transition. First, I turned on the sound machine and read to them with the light on. Then, I turned off the light but left the door open with the salt lamp in the hallway. From here, I slowly worked up to putting them to sleep with the door closed and complete darkness.
Here are some more helpful tips to help kids avoid blue light and get better sleep:
Put screens away after dark. A DIY charging drawer to store devices has been helpful!
A cup of chamomile tea with a little raw honey and butter blended in is a restful way to wind down. The healthy fats support hormones and the chamomile soothes and calms.
Use magnesium lotion on feet and legs before bed. Magnesium promotes sleep and helps with so many other things.
Switching to organic mattresses also made a big difference, especially for my son with allergies. Along with diet changes, this was one way I helped him reverse his allergies. The light made a bigger difference, so I wouldn’t put new mattresses as the highest priority.
Let Them Be A Part of the Process
I’ve found that my kids often make healthy choices when given the information to help them do so. I talked to my older kids about the reasons why nightlights weren’t good for them. This lets them be involved in the decision making process to get rid of the night lights.
I’m continually surprised by how smart and curious kids innately are and the decisions they can come up with when given the chance. Just one of the reasons behind my unconventional parenting style!
Final Thoughts on Night Lights
Sleep is so important for everyone, but especially growing children. Making the transition to a night light free room can be challenging, but very doable with the right approach.
Have a chat with your kids about why you want to make changes, and make the process fun. Calming bedtime rituals like a cup of herbal tea and a bedtime story go a long way in helping kids ditch the night light in their rooms.
Do your kids have night lights? Ever thought about removing them? Share below!
Basil and mint are staples of the summer herb garden, but if you want to add an exciting seasoning to your meals, shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) deserves a spot in your garden.
This flavorful annual produces frilly leaves in shades of green, purple, or red that can be harvested to make knockout culinary creations or refreshing herbal teas.
This plant is easy to grow from seed, but hard to find at local nurseries, and you’ll probably never see fresh shiso herb at your local farmer’s market.
So, if you’re ready for a taste adventure, it makes good sense to grow your own!
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Also known as perilla and beefsteak plant, you might mistake shiso for a basil variety if you see it growing in someone else’s garden.
It produces upright, bushy growth with oval, serrated leaves, and sends up slender spikes of small flowers above the foliage as the season progresses.
If you’ve always wanted to grow a patch of your own perilla, in this article, we’ll cover every step of growing this delicious herb.
Here’s an overview of what’s ahead:
Shiso’s tasty leaves have multiple culinary uses, making the plant a welcome member of the herb garden or part of your edible landscaping.
The seed pods and flowers can also be used in cooking.
Shiso, also known as perilla.
The flavor, which is featured in the cuisines of many Asian countries, is difficult to pin down – some say it is like a mix of basil and mint with citrusy notes.
Others recall notes of cinnamon, clove, or cumin. Once you’ve tasted it, perilla will take a unique place in your mind even if you can’t quite describe its taste.
This member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, has a branching growth habit and square stems like its relatives, spearmint and peppermint.
And the tiny, lipped flowers bear a resemblance to those of stinging nettle.
Don’t mistake it for coleus (Coleus spp.) though, another mint-family relative that is not considered edible.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Beefsteak plant, perilla, shiso
Plant type: Herbaceous annual or perennial
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 10-11 (perennial)
Native to: Asia
Bloom time / season: Summer
Exposure: Full sun, part shade
Soil type: Organically rich, well-draining
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5, slightly acidic
Time to maturity: 60-90 days
Mature size: 36 inches tall by 18 inches wide
Best uses:Herb garden
Taxonomy
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus:Perilla
Species:Frutescens
Variety:Crispa
P. frutescens is native to a wide swath of subtropical Asia, ranging from India to Japan and southeast Russia. However, you shouldn’t eat the wild type, as parts of the plant can be toxic.
The edible cultigen P. frutescens var crispa is grown in most regions as an annual, but can be treated as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11.
The plants grow up to 36 inches tall with a spread of up to 18 inches.
In some states in the US, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, perilla is considered an invasive species, so be careful to avoid breaching any local laws when growing this herb.
If you live in a region where it naturalizes easily, consider removing the flower spikes before they go to seed.
Propagation
Shiso is easy to propagate from seeds or by taking stem cuttings. Alternatively you can purchase nursery starts – if you can find them! – for transplant into the garden.
From Seed
You can sow directly outdoors after your last spring frost, or start seeds indoors four to six weeks earlier for a head start.
Soak the seeds overnight before sowing, and press them only lightly into the surface of the soil as they need light to germinate.
To direct sow:
Prepare a planting area about 18 inches wide by removing weeds or other vegetation, mixing in a handful or two of compost, and moistening the soil.
Press a group of three seeds into the surface of the soil, patting lightly to ensure good contact.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Expect the seeds to germinate within three weeks. When the seedlings are two to three inches tall, thin so just one seedling remains.
To start indoors:
Fill a seed or cell tray with moist seed-starting mix and sow three seeds per cell, pressing them gently onto the surface.
Cover with a humidity dome and place on a heat mat set to 70°F.
Remove the dome after germination. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
When seedlings reach two to three inches tall, thin to one per cell.
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, and nighttime temperatures are reliably above 45°F.
From Cuttings
Like other members of the mint family, perilla roots easily from cuttings, a useful option if you have access to mature plants.
Choose a healthy stem that isn’t flowering and use a sterilized pair of garden snips to harvest a five-inch cutting, making your cut just below a pair of leaves.
Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, and poke it into a two- or three-inch nursery pot filled with moist potting soil.
Cover the nursery pot with a transparent bag and place it in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Expect the cutting to root within three to four weeks. Once it has rooted, you can gradually transition the shiso plant into direct sunlight.
Transplanting
To transplant seedlings started indoors or nursery starts, make sure you harden off the plants before setting them outside.
If you prefer to grow in a pot, be sure to choose one that has drainage holes.
Prepare your planting area by amending the soil with compost.
Use a hori hori knife to make a hole the same depth as the nursery pot and twice as wide.
Remove the perilla from the pot and gently loosen the root ball.
Set the root ball into the hole and fill around it with soil, taking care not to cover the stems.
Water well immediately after planting and continue to water daily for the next few days to help the plant settle in.
How to Grow
You can grow shiso alongside lots of other garden herbs such as basil or mint, as well as many of your favorite garden vegetables since they share similar growing requirements.
Shiso is a tender herb that doesn’t hold up to freezing temperatures so be sure to plant out after all risk of frost has passed.
Light
This tasty herb needs direct sun to produce healthy, vibrant leaves for harvesting.
While full sun is best, you can also cultivate perilla in part shade, but it needs a minimum of two hours of direct sun per day.
Soil
Perilla is unfussy about soil as long as it drains well.
It grows in average to organically-rich conditions, tolerates sandy soils, and prefers a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Water
Once established, shiso is considered drought-tolerant, but young transplants need even moisture.
It’s adaptable to both moist and dry conditions.
Fertilizing
There’s no need to fertilize your patch of perilla. Mixing compost into the soil prior to planting should be all the feeding it needs for the season.
Where to Buy
There are several different varieties of perilla to choose from, based on your color and flavor preferences.
Bi-Color Beefsteak
Bi-color shiso is a gorgeous variety with leaves that are green on the tops and purple on the undersides.
This type has a complex flavor profile with a depth that hints at licorice. This variety reaches maturity within 90 days.
To prevent moisture loss and protect the soil from erosion, spread a one-inch layer of mulch around the plant.
If perilla becomes leggy, you can prune it back to encourage bushier growth.
Pinch out flower spikes before they set seed to encourage continued leaf production and to prevent self-seeding, especially in regions where perilla tends to naturalize.
Pests and Disease
Shiso tends to be a carefree member of the garden and is not prone to pest problems, an attribute which contributes to its tendency to become invasive.
You can also add it to a list of deer and rabbit resistant plants to grow in your garden.
Pests
Occasionally gardeners report aphid infestations on their shiso plants, while others notice their perilla patch remains free of these sap-sucking insects while nearby plants are affected.
If you do notice aphids, you may be able to solve the problem by blasting them off with a jet of water from your garden hose.
Just one blast may not do the job, so repeat daily for a week or so until the bugs are gone.
There are a couple of diseases you’ll want to be aware of when growing this herb, since prevention is key.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that can pop up in the edible garden, including on perilla.
It shows up as dark brown or black lesions with a halo of yellow surrounding them.
Since it is impossible to control this disease once it has taken hold, prevention is your best defense.
Avoid overly damp conditions which can allow fungal pathogens to proliferate, and allow plenty of air flow by spacing plants generously.
Damping Off
Damping off is a risk when starting seeds in conditions that are too moist, causing seedlings to wither and collapse shortly after germination with no chance of recovery.
Once the shiso is established, you can start to harvest the leaves. Just keep in mind to cut back no more than one-third of the plant in one go to keep it thriving.
You might want to pluck off a single leaf before mealtime or if you need more shiso for your recipe, you can use a pair of snips to cut back a branch where it meets the main stem.
Since these leaves don’t stay fresh long after you pick them, harvest them as needed in small quantities.
The traditional method of preserving shiso leaves is to pickle them in a solution of vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Pickled shiso leaves.
Clean perilla leaves are submerged in this solution and refrigerated for around 24 hours. The pickled leaves can then be used as a condiment.
Cooking Ideas
Shiso features prominently in the cuisines of China, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, and these traditions offer plenty of inspiration for putting it to use in the kitchen.
Fresh perilla leaves can be mixed into salads or used to flavor soups and stir fries. You can also mince the leaves and serve them as a garnish for noodle dishes.
Soba noodles with chopped shiso leaves and eggplant.
In Japanese cuisine, shiso is served with sushi and fried as tempura.
However, you don’t have to stick to Asian-inspired dishes. You might also try surprising your dinner guests by using it in place of basil on a pizza.
Another way some gardeners like to use this garden herb is to turn it into a refreshing lemonade.
Grow Beefsteak Plant to Spice Up Your Meals
This herb may inspire you to create new combinations in your kitchen, and it will be so easy to experiment with when you have a homegrown perilla patch in your garden.
Just remember to plant shiso in full sun with well-draining soil, and you’ll be on your way to a successful harvest.
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