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The Toothache Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you’re a fan of unique plants that not only look great but also have some practical uses, then you might want to consider growing the toothache plant. Also known as Spilanthes acmella, this plant is native to South America and has been widely used in traditional medicine for centuries. In recent years, it has gained popularity among gardeners for its striking appearance and potential health benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about growing and caring for the toothache plant.
What is a Toothache Plant?
The toothache plant is a small annual herb that grows up to 30 cm tall with yellow or gold flowers resembling tiny pom-poms. It’s called a toothache plant because when you chew on its flower buds or leaves, it produces an intense numbing sensation in your mouth similar to what happens when you apply local anesthesia at the dentist’s office.
This sensation comes from the compound spilanthol found in high concentrations in the flower buds of this herb. Aside from its medicinal use as an analgesic, studies have shown that spilanthol can also act as an anti-inflammatory agent and can help improve oral hygiene by reducing plaque formation.
How to Grow Toothache Plants?
- Sowing:The best time to sow seeds of Spilanthes acmella is during late spring or early summer after any danger of frost has passed.
- Sunlight:The toothache plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Soil:The soil should be well-draining with a pH range between 6-7.
- Watering:Toothache plants require regular watering, but be careful not to overwater as it can lead to root rot.
- Fertilizer:Feed the plant with a general-purpose fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season.
- Pruning:Deadheading spent blooms can help stimulate new growth and prolong flowering.
Tips for Caring for Toothache Plants?
- Harvesting:You can harvest toothache plant leaves and flower buds throughout the growing season. However, it’s best to wait until they have fully matured before picking them for medicinal use.
- Pests and Diseases:Toothache plants are relatively pest-free but susceptible to root rot if overwatered or grown in poorly drained soil. Leaf spot disease may occur in humid conditions, so ensure good air circulation around plants.
- Propagation:The toothache plant is an annual that self-seeds readily, so you may not need to propagate it every year manually. However, if you want more control over your crop or wish to start new ones from cuttings or seeds earlier in the season than Mother Nature allows, then propagating through division or stem cuttings is a viable option.
Conclusion: Why Grow Toothache Plants?
Growing toothache plants is an excellent way of adding some novelty and functional benefits into your garden while also enjoying its stunning beauty as an ornamental plant. It’s easy to cultivate and care for this herb that has been used traditionally by many different cultures worldwide for centuries due mainly due its perceived medicinal qualities such as pain relief properties among others like improving oral hygiene by reducing plaque formation
If you’re looking for a unique addition to your garden, you might want to consider growing the toothache plant. Its striking appearance and potential health benefits make it a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike.
