Pest identification
What's eating my green shiso?
Flea beetles
Signs: Many tiny round holes peppered across leaves, especially on seedlings and young plants; severe infestations can defoliate transplants.
Control: Cover seedlings with fine insect mesh immediately after planting; apply kaolin clay dust; use sticky yellow traps at ground level.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small insects on shoot tips; leaves curl inward; honeydew residue and associated sooty mould on upper leaf surfaces.
Control: Knock off with a strong water spray; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract hoverflies by allowing nearby herbs to flower.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes chewed in large leaves, especially overnight or after rain; silvery slime trails on the soil surface and foliage.
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets around the base; go out at night to hand-collect; copper barriers or crushed eggshell mulch help deter them.
Keep green shiso pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats shiso (perilla) — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats green shiso — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common green shiso problems & fixes
- Green Shiso watering schedule
- Green Shiso light requirements
- Full green shiso care guide
Green Shiso pests — FAQ
What is eating my green shiso?
Green Shiso (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) is largely pest-resistant due to its strong aromatic compounds, but aphids and thrips will attack it. In the garden, caterpillars and slugs can damage large leaves significantly. Flea beetles punch small holes in seedling leaves. Deer and rabbits generally avoid it; the scent is a natural repellent.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on green shiso?
Many tiny round holes peppered across leaves, especially on seedlings and young plants; severe infestations can defoliate transplants. Cover seedlings with fine insect mesh immediately after planting; apply kaolin clay dust; use sticky yellow traps at ground level.
How do I get rid of aphids on green shiso?
Clusters of small insects on shoot tips; leaves curl inward; honeydew residue and associated sooty mould on upper leaf surfaces. Knock off with a strong water spray; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract hoverflies by allowing nearby herbs to flower.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on green shiso?
Ragged holes chewed in large leaves, especially overnight or after rain; silvery slime trails on the soil surface and foliage. Ferric phosphate pellets around the base; go out at night to hand-collect; copper barriers or crushed eggshell mulch help deter them.