Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Perilla
Perilla is an annual aromatic crop grown for seed oil, edible leaves and essential oil. Cultivated perilla should be distinguished from escaped or weedy populations.
Perilla frutescens · Annual oilseed and aromatic crop
Profile
- Crop guidance
- Annual mint-family crop.
- Crop guidance
- Seed oil used for food and industrial purposes.
- Crop guidance
- Leaves used as potherb; foliage can be distilled for essential oil.
- Crop guidance
- Drought class not documented.
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- Keep seedbed moist until emergence; maintain moisture during active growth in drained soil.
- Salinity tolerance
- Not documented.
- Drought tolerance
- Not documented.
Illustrative monitoring-depth band
3–8 in
Editorial placement example, not a validated optimum or total rooting depth. Confirm the site's root distribution and soil horizons; multiple depths may be needed.
No crop-specific irrigation threshold is given in cited sources.
Problems to watch
- Perilla mint in pasture can pose livestock respiratory toxicity risk.
Stress signs
- Leaves used as potherb; foliage can be distilled for essential oil.
Where you'll find it
- seed oil
- culinary leaves
- essential oil
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All Science profilesPublished botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.