Acmella oleracea (Spilanthes): A Fun & Powerful Herb for Your Garden

Spilanthes is one of my favorite plants to grow in our gardens. It’s fun—its flavor is exciting, its bright button-like flowers add a unique charm, and its gracious sprawling habit makes it a stunning addition to borders. The deep green leaves and purple stems create a striking contrast, making it as beautiful in the garden as it is useful in the home and apothecary. Whether dried or included in fresh-cut flower arrangements, Spilanthes offers more than just aesthetic appeal—it’s also a powerhouse for immune support and culinary creativity.

I love plants that check all the boxes: beauty, flavor, and medicinal benefits—and Spilanthes delivers on all three.

Native to South America, Spilanthes has naturalized in Hawaii and thrives in warm, tropical environments. However, it can be grown as a tender annual across most of the United States. With recent milder winters here in Maine, we've even noticed our Spilanthes self-seeding, with small seedlings sprouting in the same spots as the previous year's plants.

Growing just 12 inches high, Spilanthes makes a great border plant and a fun conversation starter during garden tours. Want to surprise your guests? Invite them to taste a flower button—but have a glass of water ready!

The flower creates an electric, buzzing sensation in the mouth, followed by a numbing effect that can last 20-30 minutes. Historically, dentists used Spilanthes as a natural anesthetic before procedures.

Spilanthes can be used similarly to Sichuan pepper, adding a unique tingle to dishes. Try drying the flowers for future culinary experiments—you might be surprised at how they elevate your cooking!

At Meeting House Farm, we primarily grow Spilanthes for immune support. It’s a key ingredient in Infusion Herb Co's Acute Immune Support, which we originally crafted during the COVID years to support overall wellness.

Growing & Harvesting Tips

Spilanthes will flourish from seed or transplanted as a seedling. We recommend Strictly Medicinals as a trusted seed source. If you're local to Scarborough, Maine, you can reserve Spilanthes seedlings through our May plant sale.

• Sun & Water: Plant Spilanthes in full sun and keep the soil well-watered throughout the season—this plant loves heat!
• Harvesting: Cut the aerial parts multiple times during the growing season. Harvest the flowers once they form button-like heads, but before they are spent.
• Preservation: Dry the flowers and leaves or extract them into alcohol for long-term storage.

Spilanthes for Health & Wellness

• Immune System Support – Acts as an antiviral, antibacterial, and immune stimulant; great for acute illnesses.
• Dental Health – The extract can be used as a mouthwash to support healthy gums.

I typically use spilanthes in an alcohol based extract - made from fresh arial parts - button flowers and leaves -.  It can also be extracted into alcohol from dry plant material or made into an infusion with hot water for mouthwash or tisane.  If you are planning to drink it as a tisane consider blending with other herbs as the flavor can be strong.

Whether you're growing your own or incorporating it into your herbal apothecary, Spilanthes is a fun, medicinal, and culinary herb worth adding to your garden.

Would you like to try Spilanthes? Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever experienced its tingling sensation!