Toothache Plant (Spilanthes Oleracea)
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$1.75
$1.00 - $5.60
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Toothache plant is a lesser known flowering annual native to the tropics. Known technically as either Spilanthes oleracea or Acmella oleracea, its whimsical common name is garnered from the antiseptic properties. Toothache plant is a member of the Asteraceae family, which includes asters, daisies and cornflowers, but with a truly unique flower and memorable numbing effect when ingested.
Scientific Name: Spilanthes Oleracea
Also Known As: Eyeball plant, Peek-a-boo plant, Para Cress, Szechuan Buttons, and Electric Daisies.
Grown as: Annual: 3-8
Perennial: 9-11
Maturity (Blooms): Mid Summer-Early Fall
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Prefers moist, but well-drained soils.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: No. Resistant to disease, insects and even our rabbit friends.
Containers: Yes. Toothache plant can be grown in containers with good drainage. Choose a pot that's about 12" across.
Height: 18-24”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: On soil surface.
USDA Zone: 3-11
Produces: reddish-green foliage and tight, compact little pompom yellow flowers that have no a red center and no petals.
Also Known As: Eyeball plant, Peek-a-boo plant, Para Cress, Szechuan Buttons, and Electric Daisies.
Grown as: Annual: 3-8
Perennial: 9-11
Maturity (Blooms): Mid Summer-Early Fall
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Prefers moist, but well-drained soils.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: No. Resistant to disease, insects and even our rabbit friends.
Containers: Yes. Toothache plant can be grown in containers with good drainage. Choose a pot that's about 12" across.
Height: 18-24”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: On soil surface.
USDA Zone: 3-11
Produces: reddish-green foliage and tight, compact little pompom yellow flowers that have no a red center and no petals.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date. A heat mat helps as the seeds prefer it to be at least 70° to germinate. Toothache plant seeds need sunlight to germinate so do not cover with soil until after they sprout.
Transplant outside in prepared soil that is rich in compost in a well drained area when all danger of frost has passed. Keep the soil moderately moist as the plant dislikes saturated or boggy ground and stem rot or general poor growth is likely. Toothache plant likes grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Plants can sprawl out up to 2 feet, so space 12-15" apart. Once the young plants have several sets of mature leaves, pinch back the stems to encourage a more bushy and compact growth.
Toothache plant leaves can be picked at any time but always best when fresh when the leaves are flavorful. Wait until after it has reached 6-7 in height before harvesting. Continue to pick the leaves during and after blooming.
Allow seed heads to dry on the plants. Remove and collect the seed, which then can be cleaned and stored until planting time.
Attractive annual ground-cover that's edible. The young leaves have a slight peppery taste when added to salads.
Spilanthes is an herb used in folk medicine throughout India. Of primary medicinal use are the roots and flowers of toothache plant. Chewing on the blooms of the toothache plant causes a local anesthetic effect and has been used to temporarily ease the pain of, yes, you guessed it — toothaches.
Spilanthes flowers have also been utilized as a urinary antiseptic and even as a treatment for malaria by the indigenous people of the tropics. The active ingredient in Spilanthes is called Spilanthol. Spilanthol is an antiseptic alkaloid found throughout the entire plant but with the greatest amounts located in the flowers.
Spilanthes flowers have also been utilized as a urinary antiseptic and even as a treatment for malaria by the indigenous people of the tropics. The active ingredient in Spilanthes is called Spilanthol. Spilanthol is an antiseptic alkaloid found throughout the entire plant but with the greatest amounts located in the flowers.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Spilanthes plantings complement other plants with yellow and red blooms or even foliage such as coleus varietals.
Suggested Varieties
Coleus: Rainbow Mix (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
$1.00 - $5.60
A tropical native, this plant is especially well known on the islands of Indonesia and in Sri Lanka. Renowned Dutch botanist Karl Ludwig Blume is considered the first to describe this plant, which he discovered while exploring Indonesia. Upon its introduction to Europe, it became wildly popular in Victorian gardens. One especially fashionable technique called “carpet gardening,” creating a colorful design meant to be seen from above, created a perfect setting for the coleus plant.