Variety field guide
What to expect from Murasakino
Murasakino is an annual shiso selection grown for culinary leaves, flowers, or seed and succession planting.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
The aromatic Japanese herb of color and complexity. ‘Murasakino’ shiso produces broad, crinkled leaves of deep burgundy-purple with a vivid sheen and a fragrance unlike any other-an intriguing blend of basil, mint, cinnamon, and clove. The flavor is bold yet balanced, adding depth to pickles, sushi, salads, and teas. Thrives in full sun and warm weather, growing equally well in garden beds or containers.
About Murasakino
Murasakino is an annual selection of shiso, with an upright/erect habit and an expected height or spread of 25–30 in. It is best suited to culinary leaves, flowers, or seed and succession planting. Notable traits include purple coloring; harvest leaves young or allow selected plants to mature seed according to use; aromatic flavor characteristic of the named herb.
The value of Murasakino is in the combination of its named traits, upright/erect growth, and fit for culinary leaves, flowers, or seed and succession planting.
History and provenance
This herb has been selected in regional foodways for aroma, acidity, sweetness, color, or leaf use. Cultural context is retained where it is well established, but a commercial name alone does not prove a breeder, community, or accession history for the packet now being sold. Origins and Etymology Murasakino Shiso, the vivid red-leafed counterpart to Green Shiso, descends from ancient East Asian Perilla species cultivated for over two millennia. Indigenous to regions of modern-day China and the Korean Peninsula, it spread early to Japan, where it became a cornerstone of both agrarian and culinary life. The name Murasakino (紫の) translates as “of purple hue,” referring to its striking crimson foliage, long valued for both aesthetic and practical purposes. The Latin crispa describes its ruffled, textured leaves-features that made it distinct among the Perilla lineage. Cultural Significance and Lore In Japanese culture, Red Shiso carries deep seasonal symbolism. It embodies the essence of summer preservation and transformation-its leaves are used to color umeboshi (pickled plums) and beni shoga (red ginger), lending both flavor and the characteristic rose-red tint that defines traditional Japanese condiments. A traditional variety long cherished in Japanese cuisine, ‘Murasakino’ brings beauty, aroma, and refinement to every garden-a herb of both flavor and artistry.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. crispa (Thunb.) H.Deane |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity | 70-79 Days |
| Germination | 7-14 Days at 55–70 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/4 in |
| Plant height / spread | 25–30 in |
| Growth habit | Upright/Erect |
| Spacing | 8 in between plants; 18 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Murasakino from seed
Sow 1/4 in deep and keep the seed zone evenly moist. Expect emergence in 7-14 Days when the seed-zone temperature is near 55–70 °F. Germination preparation: Use a fine, evenly moist seed-starting mix or prepared seedbed. Light requirement: Cover evenly to 1/4 in. Soaking: None required. Stratification: None required. Scarification: None required.
Planting and care
Plant during spring and provide full sun. Space plants 8 in apart with 18 in between rows. Use loamy with a pH near 6.0–6.5, and follow a moderate watering plan. Support requirement: No-Support. Frost response: Semi-Hardy. Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding
Harvest and use
Approximately 70-79 Days, from direct sowing to the primary leaf, flower, or seed harvest stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. Harvest: Harvest leaves young or allow selected plants to mature seed according to use. Uses: Culinary leaves, flowers, or seed and succession planting. Flavor: aromatic flavor characteristic of the named herb. Seed saving: Open-pollinated herb or leafy crop. Best uses include culinary leaves, flowers, or seed and succession planting. Flavor and eating quality: aromatic flavor characteristic of the named herb.
Saving seed
Select several healthy, true-to-type Murasakino plants that match the expected upright/erect habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Open-pollinated herb or leafy crop. Compatible plants of the same species may cross to varying degrees through insects or wind. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Allow selected plants to pass the eating stage and reach full botanical seed maturity. Harvest only when seed heads, pods, or fruits have matured enough for sound seed development. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
Common problems
Common concerns: Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, slugs, damping-off, root rot, and leaf diseases under humid crowded conditions. Management: Provide airflow, drainage, moderate fertility, careful watering, and clean harvest practices. Contain spreading mints where needed. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Murasakino
When is Murasakino ready? Use 70-79 Days. Approximately 70-79 Days, from direct sowing to the primary leaf, flower, or seed harvest stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date.
How long does germination take? Expect 7-14 Days at about 55–70 °F. Cooler, hotter, crusted, saturated, or dry seedbeds can slow emergence.
How large does it grow? Expect about 25–30 in with an upright/erect habit. Space plants 8 in apart and rows 18 in apart. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container? Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding Use a container with drainage and enough volume to maintain the listed spacing and steady moisture.
Can I save seed? Open-pollinated herb or leafy crop. Keep compatible varieties isolated and allow selected plants to reach full seed maturity.
