How to intercrop perilla
How to intercrop perilla
Perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) is an annual aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family widely cultivated in India, Vietnam, Korea, China and Japan.
Both the leaves of this plant and its seeds are used to obtain medicinal products, while in the food sector it is added to foods as a flavouring. Perilla seed oil finds industrial applications in the production of paints, dyes and inks.
Perilla is a plant that benefits considerably from intercropping and which, in turn, brings many benefits to the plants with which it is intercropped.
There are many plants that can be associated with perilla, among these we report: basil and other aromatic plants, borage, chamomile, cabbage, cucumber, onion, bean, broad bean, fennel, sunflower, lettuce, aubergine, mint, nasturtium, okra, potato , pepper, tomato, leek, stevia, marigold, pumpkin and courgette.
Perilla is, therefore, a versatile plant that can be associated with various other plants in a garden or vegetable patch.
In detail, the functions that are carried out in associations with various plants are different. Among these we highlight some in particular:
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum): Perilla can help improve the microclimate around tomatoes, keeping the soil moist and reducing weed growth.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil and perilla can be grown together because they both have similar needs for sun and humidity. Additionally, basil may help repel some parasites.
Peppers (Capsicum annuum): Perilla can provide good support to the microclimate of peppers, similar to tomatoes, improving soil quality and water retention.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena): Eggplants also benefit from the proximity of perilla for similar reasons to tomatoes and peppers.
Cabbages (Brassica oleracea): plants of the Brassicaceae family, such as cabbages, can benefit from intercropping with perilla thanks to its repellent properties for some harmful insects.
Herbs: In addition to basil, other herbs such as parsley (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha) and dill (Anethum graveolens) can be good companions for perilla. These herbs can contribute to a healthy, diverse environment in the garden.
Flowering Plants: Some flowers, such as marigolds (Tagetee) and nasturtiums (Tropaeolum), can be planted near perilla to attract beneficial insects and repel harmful pests.
Companioning with these plants can help improve the overall health of the garden and increase crop productivity. However, you must always make sure to also consider the specific needs of each plant, such as soil type, irrigation and sun exposure, to obtain the best results.