Paracress Plant Care
Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K.Jansen
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acmella oleracea is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. Common names include toothache plant, Szechuan buttons, paracress, buzz buttons, tingflowers and electric daisy. Its native distribution is unclear, but it is likely derived from a Brazilian Acmella species. A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and bears gold and red inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Paracress?
Paracress grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Paracress?
Paracress (Acmella oleracea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Acmella genus. Paracress is also known as Toothache Plant, Buzz Button, Electric Daisy.
Paracress displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Paracress produces small yellow or red button-like flowers.
What Light Does the Paracress Need?
Paracress thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paracress?
Well-draining, sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Paracress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Paracress?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Paracress?
Paracress can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white acmella plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Paracress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Paracress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Paracress?
Paracress is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Paracress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Acmella genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Acmella species in the plant lookup.
Paracress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K.Jansen, family Asteraceae (first published in Syst. Bot. Monogr. 8: 65 (1985)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paracress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Paracress Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species