Acmella oleracea, commonly known as the Buzz Button, Electric Daisy, or Paracress, is prized for its intense sensory effect. This sensation is caused by spilanthol, a naturally occurring alkylamide. When the flower heads or leaves are chewed, spilanthol activates receptors in the mouth, delivering a strong tingling, effervescent, and numbing feeling. Originating in the tropics of South America, this tender perennial is typically cultivated as a fast-growing annual. The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine as an analgesic, earning it the common name “Toothache Plant.”
Starting Buzz Buttons
The most reliable way to begin a Buzz Button plant is by starting seeds indoors, which compensates for the plant’s sensitivity to frost. Sow seeds six to eight weeks before the final expected frost date to give the seedlings a head start. The seeds are small and require light for successful germination, so they must be surface-sown rather than buried. Gently press the seeds onto the surface of a moist, sterile seed-starting mix.
Keep the seed trays warm, ideally between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging the soil. Germination usually occurs within one to two weeks if conditions are favorable. Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves and all danger of frost has passed, they are ready to be transplanted outside. This transition requires “hardening off,” where the young plants are gradually introduced to outdoor conditions over a week to prevent shock.
When transplanting into the garden, select a spot that provides ample space for the plants to grow into a bushy form. The seedlings should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for mature growth and good air circulation. Starting indoors ensures the plant has a full growing season to produce the maximum number of desired flower buds before the first fall frost arrives.
Essential Growing Requirements
Buzz Buttons thrive when given conditions that mimic their native tropical environment, favoring a bright, sunny location. Full sun exposure is preferred for the most abundant flowering. In excessively hot climates, however, the plant can benefit from afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorching. The plant requires a rich, well-draining soil composition to support its rapid growth, performing best in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Consistent soil moisture is a requirement for healthy growth, as the plant can quickly show signs of stress from drying out. While regular watering is needed, prevent the soil from becoming saturated, which can lead to root rot. Monitoring the top inch of soil for dryness offers a good indicator of when to water. Because of their fast growth, Buzz Buttons benefit from supplemental nutrition during the active growing season.
Applying a balanced liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks helps maintain the necessary nutrient supply. This regular feeding supports both vegetative growth and the development of numerous flower heads. To maximize the harvest, pinching back the young plants is a highly effective technique. Removing the growing tips encourages the plant to branch out, resulting in a bushier structure with a significantly higher yield of flower buds.
Harvesting and Storing
The primary goal of cultivation is to harvest the unique flower heads, which hold the highest concentration of spilanthol. These buds are ready for picking when they are fully formed, typically appearing as yellow, cone-shaped or spherical buttons. Waiting until the buds are mature ensures the maximum potency of the tingling and numbing sensation. The flower heads should be harvested by snipping the stem just below the bud with a clean pair of scissors or shears.
Harvesting continuously throughout the season signals the plant to produce even more flowers. This practice of “cut-and-come-again” harvesting extends the productive life of the plant significantly. While the leaves are also edible and contain a milder level of spilanthol, the flower buds are the most potent and desirable part. For immediate use, the fresh flowers can be added directly to cocktails or culinary dishes to impart their signature electrifying sensation.
To preserve the harvest for later use, the buds can be dried in a well-ventilated, shaded area to prevent the degradation of the active compounds. Alternatively, the fresh flowers can be infused into alcohol or oil to create a potent extract. This is a common way to capture the spilanthol for medicinal or mixology purposes. Proper storage in an airtight container away from light and heat helps maintain the flower’s potency over the long term.