(Acmella Oleracea 'Toothache')
Toothache Plant is a tender perennial herb that is native to south America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features erect stems, 1-3” oval-shaped, reddish-green foliage, and tight, compact little pompom yellow flowers that have a red center and no petals. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and fireflies, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Culinary
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Medicinal
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Companion Planting
Genus: Acmella
Species: oleracea
Variety: Toothache Plant
Also Known As: Eyeball plant, Peek-a-boo plant, Para Cress, Szechuan Buttons, and Electric Daisies.
Native to: Brazil Southeast.
Introduced into: Assam, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Central African Repu, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Jawa, Leeward Is., Mali, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Réunion, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Windward Is., Zaïre.
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.
Produces: erect stems, 1-3” oval-shaped, reddish-green foliage, and tight, compact little pompom yellow flowers that have a red center and no petals.
USDA Zone: 3-11
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.
Suggested Varieties
(Coleus scutellarioides ‘Rainbow Mix’)
Rainbow Coleus Mix is a shade-loving, tender, warm-weathered perennial flower native to southeast Asia but grows in many homes and gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 12” and features a range of dazzling white, cream, pink, red, yellow, green, and purple-colored leaves! This plant can be grown in containers, has attractive foliage that is a great addition to cut flowers, attracts bees and hummingbirds, and can be grown in a container!