Jambu (toothache plant) Acmella oleracea
Jambu (toothache plant) (Acmella oleracea) is an annual herb in the Asteraceae family, native to Brazil (Amazon basin). It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Jambu (toothache plant) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Jambu (toothache plant) at a glance
| Type | Annual herb |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, flower heads |
| Native to | Brazil (Amazon basin) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Jambu (toothache plant) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: flower heads, leaves
Spilanthol causes numbing and salivation; leaves are eaten in small amounts in northern Brazil.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Jambu (toothache plant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Jambu (toothache plant)
- How far apart should I plant Jambu (toothache plant)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Jambu (toothache plant) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jambu (toothache plant) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Jambu (toothache plant)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Jambu (toothache plant) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Jambu (toothache plant) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Spilanthol causes numbing and salivation; leaves are eaten in small amounts in northern Brazil.
- What grows well with Jambu (toothache plant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jambu (toothache plant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Short-lived perennial in the tropics, grown as an annual elsewhere; needs constant moisture.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus