Skip to content
🌿 Herb medium

Growing Perilla in Austin

🇺🇸 Zone 7 Planting Guide · Humid subtropical climate

USDA Zone 7 280 frost-free days 50-70 days to harvest

Quick Answer: Growing Perilla in Austin

Yes, you can grow Perilla in Austin, US! Plant during Feb, Mar, Apr, May for best results. Austin is in USDA Zone 7 with a Humid subtropical climate, offering 280 frost-free days per year. The difficulty level is medium, and Perilla takes 50-70 days to harvest. Perilla needs full sun to partial shade and regular watering.

Climate Match Analysis

Moderate Match Austin + Perilla

Austin's climate requires careful timing. Winter lows (3°C) drop below Perilla's minimum (5°C), so avoid cold months. Summer highs (36°C) exceed Perilla's maximum (35°C), so plant early or provide shade. Follow the recommended planting months for success.

Perilla tolerates 5°C to 35°C
Optimal: 18°C - 28°C
Austin range 3°C to 36°C

Austin Climate Data

USDA Zone
7
Frost-Free
280days
Winter Low
3°C
Summer High
36°C
Rainfall
870mm/yr
Climate
Cfa
Humid subtropical

Perilla Planting Calendar for Austin

Green months show the best time to plant Perilla in Austin

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant Perilla Not recommended

Perilla Growing Requirements

☀️

Sunlight

Full Sun to Partial Shade

2-4 hours direct sunlight

💧

Water

Regular

Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches/week

📅

Days to Harvest

50-70

From planting to first harvest

📊

Difficulty

medium

Some experience helpful

💡 Growing Tips for Perilla

Self-seeds readily. Essential in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Wait until soil warms to at least 18°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Frost tolerance: Perilla is NOT frost tolerant — wait until after the last frost in Austin.

How to Grow Perilla in Austin

Austin, US is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 with a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). With winter lows of 3°C and summer highs of 36°C, the growing season spans approximately 280 frost-free days. Perilla grows well with some gardening knowledge in this climate.

Perilla thrives in temperatures between 18°C and 28°C, requiring full sun to partial shade and regular watering. In Austin, the best months to plant Perilla are February, March, April, May. Perilla is not frost tolerant, so it's important to wait until after the last spring frost before transplanting outdoors. Expect to harvest in approximately 50-70 days after planting.

With 870mm of annual rainfall, Austin provides moderate natural moisture. You'll likely need to supplement with regular watering, especially during the growing season.

Other Plants That Grow in Austin

More plants you can grow alongside Perilla in Austin

Keep Exploring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow perilla in Austin?

Yes! Perilla can be successfully grown in Austin, US. Austin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 with a Humid subtropical climate. The difficulty level for growing Perilla here is rated "medium". The best months to plant are February, March, April, May.

When should I plant perilla in Austin?

In Austin, the recommended planting months for Perilla are February, March, April, May. Austin has 280 frost-free days per year, with winter lows of 3°C and summer highs of 36°C. Since Perilla is not frost tolerant, make sure to plant after the last frost date.

How long does perilla take to grow in Austin?

Perilla typically takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest. In Austin's Humid subtropical climate with 280 frost-free days, you have plenty of time to grow Perilla to maturity. Self-seeds readily. Essential in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Wait until soil warms to at least 18°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Can I grow perilla indoors in Austin?

Perilla can potentially be grown indoors in Austin with proper conditions. It requires full sun to partial shade (2-4 hours of indirect light). Indoor growing extends your season beyond the Feb, Mar, Apr, May outdoor planting window. Use containers with good drainage and regular watering.

What month do I plant perilla in Austin?

Plant Perilla in Austin during February, March, April, May. These are the optimal months based on Austin's USDA Zone 7 climate, 280 frost-free days, and temperature range of 3°C to 36°C.

Is perilla hard to grow in Austin?

Perilla is rated "medium" to grow in Austin. Some gardening experience is helpful. Pay attention to watering schedules and planting timing. The climate match for Perilla in Austin is Moderate.

What grows well with perilla in Austin?

In Austin, you can grow many companion plants alongside Perilla. Good options from the same planting window include Tomato, Basil, Lettuce, Carrot and 2 more. These plants share similar planting months and thrive in Austin's Zone 7 climate.

Does perilla need full sun in Austin?

Perilla requires full sun to partial shade. Perilla tolerates lower light. In Austin, a spot with filtered or indirect light for 2-4 hours works well.

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

See an error? Report it