Paracress - Jambú [Acmella oleracea]

The perennial paracress is a versatile spice and medicinal plant with numerous healing properties. It has antibacterial, antiviral, immune-boosting, salivation-inducing and anesthetic effects. The leaves have a tingling effect and taste fresh, a mixture of sweet, sour and salty. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves and flowers.

 Description 
Paracress is an ancient perennial spice and medicinal plant with origins in Brazil and Peru. The versatile herb has numerous medicinal properties that are antibacterial, antiviral, immune-boosting, salivation-inducing and anesthetic, which is why it is used as a local anesthetic in dental treatments. It is used as a poultice for fungal infections and also for pain relief from rheumatism or gout. The plants grow in compact clumps and, if there is enough light, form new flowers all year round. The leaves have a tingling effect and taste fresh, a mixture of sweet, sour and salty, which makes them ideal for salads. The dried leaves have a spicy and piquant taste. It has been cultivated on a large scale 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. The flowers and leaves are edible and are a 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
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -4°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-28 °C
Germination time: 8-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Pre-cultivation from February to August is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to June is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Pre-cultivation is recommended. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small tray and allow the seedlings to grow until the first visible paracress leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired container. After transplanting, allow the seedlings to grow at moderate temperatures until they are ready to plant out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the garden bed when the second pair of leaves appears after the cotyledons. Paracress thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soils and prefers a warm and humid climate, as is often found in tropical regions. Excessive soil salinity can impair its growth.
Paracress - Jambú does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Seeds germinate best at temperatures around 27°C, while higher temperatures above 35°C can impair root growth and seedling vigor. Because paracress is only moderately frost-hardy, a sheltered location with winter protection is recommended for outdoor cultivation in temperate climates. When grown in pots, the plant should be overwintered at temperatures between 5 and 15°C, ideally in a conservatory. Excessive soil salinity can impair its growth. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or cuttings.

 Plant care 
Regular watering results in faster growth. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Acmella oleracea, Spilanthes acmella
English names: Toothache plant, Szechuan buttons, Paracress, Jambu, 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

 Origin 
Country: Portugal