Overwintering guide
How to overwinter green shiso
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills green shiso in winter
Cutting green shiso hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More green shiso care
- Overwintering shiso (perilla) — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering green shiso — our other guide for the same plant
- Full green shiso care guide
- Green Shiso temperature range
- How often to water green shiso
- How to prune green shiso
- Common green shiso problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering green shiso — FAQ
Does green shiso need to come indoors for winter?
Green Shiso is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2 — winter lows around -46°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Green Shiso is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move green shiso for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water green shiso in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills green shiso over winter?
Cutting green shiso hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.