(Acmella Oleracea 'Toothache')

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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
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
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Family: Asteraceae

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
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.
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 scutellarioides ‘Rainbow Mix’)

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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! 
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