Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) in Zone 4a & 4b

Spilanthes oleracea

When to plant spilanthes (toothache plant) in zone 4b

Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) tolerates either.

Start indoorsApr 3–Apr 10
Direct sow / transplant outsideMay 22–May 29
Estimated bloomJul 26–Aug 2 (~65 days after planting)

Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.

Spilanthes (Toothache Plant)
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 us, cropped.

Spilanthes, commonly called the toothache plant, is grown as much as a novelty edible as an ornamental. Chewing a leaf or flower bud produces a genuine numbing, tingling sensation, traditionally used to ease tooth pain.

How spilanthes (toothache plant) fits zone 4's season

Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) needs about 65 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Spilanthes (Toothache Plant).

Where to buy spilanthes seeds

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing spilanthes (toothache plant)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

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Growing Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) in USDA zone 4b

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Growing Spilanthes (Toothache Plant) in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.

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