Toothache Plant Lemon Drop – 50 Seeds

Spilanthes oleracea Lemon Drop, is a flowering herb in the plant family Asteraceae, also known as toothache plant. It is a tropical perennial that grows as an annual in South Africa.  Warm regions allow the Plant to grow as a perennial. More temperate and cooler climates will mean raising the plant as an annual.

Blooms all summer and in South Africa it blooms well into winter. Bright, solid-yellow flower heads the shape of gum drops. Likes damp soil and a great plant for container growing. Grows 5 to 9 inches tall and loves sunshine. The leaves and flowers can be chewed to have a mildly anesthetizing effect, but with a citrus flavor.

Common Names: Eyeball plant, jambu, toothache plant, paracress, Sichuan buttons, buzz buttons, tingflowers and electric daisy.

Medicinal Benefits and other Benefits

• It is commonly used to treat toothaches along with other mouth, throat, and gum conditions.
• This medicinal herb also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it enhances the immune system.
• The leaves are often eaten raw and taste good in salads.
• Extracts from the Toothache Plant have proven effective against mosquitoes. Planting on borders for flying pest control has been a traditional use of the flower.

Growing Spilanthes oleracea Lemon Drop

Indoor Sowing: Late Winter and Early Spring.
Direct Sowing: Spring and Summer.

• You can direct sow the seeds in Spring and Summer by scattering the seeds on top of moist soil and very gently press the seeds into the surface of the soil with your fingertips. Do not cover the seeds with soil, as the seeds need light to germinate.
• You can also start the seeds indoors 4 -6 weeks before your last Spring frost date.
• To sow indoors, fill a planting flat almost full with a sterile, low-fertility seed-starting, or germinating, mixture.
• Water or mist the medium in the container, thoroughly moistening it.
• Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface of the medium.
• Only add a very light dusting of growing medium or do not cover the seeds at all,  as they require light to germinate.
• Mist the seeds lightly after sowing them and as needed prior to germination so that the surface of the medium remains constantly slightly moist, but not wet.
• Cover the container with a plastic lid or bag to create a warm environment.
• Place the container with the medium and seeds in a warm place where it will receive bright, indirect light.
• container with a plastic or glass lid or enclose it in a plastic bag after planting seeds.
• Germination takes place in Summer.
• Once seedlings emerge, remove any lid or bag covering the seeds and decrease the frequency of misting so that the surface of the medium is allowed to dry out slightly between watering.
• Transplant the young seedlings into pots or outdoors once they have two pairs of true leaves.
• Use a high-quality potting soil or work an organic matter like well-rotted compost or aged manure into the ground prior to planting, as this herb prefers well-drained, rich soil.