Spilanthes oleracea is a peppery herb that brings an electric, tingling sensation to the palate and grows into a compact 18-inch plant ready to harvest in just 90 days. This tender annual thrives in full sun and produces small yellow flowers that pack an intense, numbing heat reminiscent of the spice aisle, though the real power lies in the flower buds and leaves. Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, transplant after danger passes, and you'll have a conversation-starting addition to salads, cocktails, and culinary experiments by mid-summer.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-13
18in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The flowers turn brilliant yellow and deliver an intensely numbing, peppery bite that lingers on your tongue, making every bite a full sensory experience. This compact herb reaches just 18 inches tall, fitting easily into containers or tight garden spaces while producing harvestable flowers within 90 days. The tingling sensation comes from compounds that have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, giving this little plant far more cultural weight than its size suggests.
Spilanthes is primarily grown for its flowers and leaves, which are harvested fresh and used to add an unusual numbing, peppery heat to salads, salsas, and cocktails. The yellow flower buds deliver the most intense sensation and are sometimes used in preparations celebrated for their distinctive mouthfeel and tingling properties.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors approximately 6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Provide warm conditions and consistent moisture to encourage germination.
Harvest flowers once they turn yellow, which indicates peak flavor and the most intense peppery sensation. Pinch or cut flowers from the plant regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. Leaves can also be harvested fresh for use, though the flowers are the primary harvest target.
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