Ask the Plant Doctor! How to grow healthy perilla plants in Malaysia

It’s easy enough to grow perilla leaves in our Malaysian weather. Photo: 123rf.com

Perilla is easy to cultivate successfully in the warm, humid climate of Malaysia. This versatile plant prefers full sun to partial shade and warm temperatures for its successful growth.

Well-drained organically rich soils provide ideal growth conditions. Seeds can be directly sown into the ground 1cm deep and 30cm apart, keeping the soil consistently moist until germination. The seeds will take one to three weeks to germinate. Do not cover the seeds too heavily as they require light exposure to sprout.