Pest identification
What's eating my shiso (perilla)?
Flea beetles
Signs: Numerous small round shot-holes across leaves; seedlings can be severely set back; adults jump when disturbed.
Control: Cover plants with fine insect mesh netting; apply diatomaceous earth around the base. Kaolin clay or spinosad sprays work for heavier infestations.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on shoot tips and undersides of young leaves; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mould.
Control: Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
Caterpillars (armyworms / cabbage loopers)
Signs: Large ragged holes in mature leaves or whole leaves stripped from plants overnight.
Control: Hand-pick at dusk; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) targeting young larvae. Check undersides for egg masses.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings and young plants shredded or severed at soil level; slime trails visible in the morning.
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets around plants; hand-remove at night; copper barriers around pots or raised beds.
Keep shiso (perilla) pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Shiso (Perilla) pests — FAQ
What is eating my shiso (perilla)?
Shiso (Perilla) is an aromatic annual herb with moderate pest pressure. Aphids and flea beetles are the most common attackers. Caterpillars (particularly Spodoptera and Pieris species) eat large holes in leaves outdoors. Slugs damage seedlings. Its essential oils deter some generalist pests, but aphids and flea beetles are not deterred.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on shiso (perilla)?
Numerous small round shot-holes across leaves; seedlings can be severely set back; adults jump when disturbed. Cover plants with fine insect mesh netting; apply diatomaceous earth around the base. Kaolin clay or spinosad sprays work for heavier infestations.
How do I get rid of aphids on shiso (perilla)?
Colonies on shoot tips and undersides of young leaves; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mould. Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
How do I get rid of caterpillars (armyworms / cabbage loopers) on shiso (perilla)?
Large ragged holes in mature leaves or whole leaves stripped from plants overnight. Hand-pick at dusk; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) targeting young larvae. Check undersides for egg masses.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on shiso (perilla)?
Seedlings and young plants shredded or severed at soil level; slime trails visible in the morning. Use iron phosphate pellets around plants; hand-remove at night; copper barriers around pots or raised beds.