Paracress - Jambú [Acmella oleracea]

Paracress is an ancient perennial spice and medicinal plant that originates from Brazil and Peru. The versatile herb has numerous healing effects that include antibacterial, antiviral, immune-boosting, salivation-promoting and anesthetic effects, which is why it is used as a local anesthetic in dental treatments. It is used as a poultice for fungal infections and also to treat pain in rheumatism or gout. The plants grow in compact clumps and produce new flowers all year round if there is enough light. The leaves have a tingling effect and taste fresh with a mixture of sweet, sour and salt, making them ideal for salads. The dried leaves have a spicy and savory taste. It has been widely cultivated in South America since ancient times, in some regions of northern Brazil it is used as a spice, in the USA mainly as a salad and in India as a steamed vegetable. Flowers and leaves are edible, bee food plant.

General information
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium eater
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -4 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, loamy, sandy, humus

pH value: 5.5 to 7

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 8-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x40 cm

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to December.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June.

General
When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible paracress leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Paracress prefers a sunny location with a very permeable, nutrient-rich, humus-rich and sandy loam soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging and drying out.

Additional tips
Because paracress is only partially frost-hardy, a sheltered location with winter protection is recommended when kept outdoors in a temperate climate. When grown in pots, the plant is overwintered at temperatures between 5 and 15°C, ideally in a winter garden. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds or cuttings.

Plant care
Regular watering results in stable and faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Acmella oleracea, Spilanthes Acmella
English names: Toothache plant, Szechuan buttons, Paracress, Jambú, Buzz buttons, Tingflowers, Electric daisy, Spilanthes
German names: Parakresse, Jambú, Zahnwehpflanze, Prickelblume, Husarenköpfchen, Elektrisches Gänseblümchen 
Portuguese names: Jambu, Flor eléctrica
Spanish names: Flor eléctrica
French names: Brède mafane, Cresson de Parà