How to Grow Nicotiana Plants
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Tobacco
Members of the Nicotiana genus are normally grown as half hardy annuals in the garden.
They bloom in the summer with attractive trumpet shaped flowers. The flowers are usually of pink, but can also be of green, white, yellow or red.
These plants are often used for research into plant development by researchers.
Common names for Nicotiana include Tobacco and Flowering Tobacco.
Nicotiana sylvestris – Woodland Tobacco by Anniesannuals; creative commons.
Nicotiana glauca – Tree Tobacco by Giopuo; creative commons.
Nicotiana Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Tobacco: Flowering; Manyflower; Jasmine; Winged; Tree; Shrub; Indian.
Family: Solanaceae.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Half hardy perennial commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 40 to 80 inches (100 to 200 cm).
Native: Americas, Southern Africa, Australasia.
Growing Region: Zones 2 to 10. As a perennial in zones 8 to 10.
Flower Details: White, pink, red, yellow, green. Tinged. Tubular. Some species flower at night and/or are fragrant.
Foliage: Oblong-elliptic through oblong-lanceolate.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two weeks in the light. Temperature 75°F (24°C). Seven or eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
How to Grow Tobacco, and other Nicotiana Plants in your Garden
Tobacco is a very easy plant to grow and look after, the seeds should be sown on the soil surface following the last frost of spring.
They are able to grow in lightly shaded or partially shaded areas and grow in most soils. For best results grow tobacco in a slightly acidic soil.
Tobacco can be grown indoors first. The seeds germinate in the light at 20 to 25 degrees Centigrade (68 to 77°F). This should take about two weeks.
Allow the seedlings to grow for about five weeks. Then transplant the tobacco plants into the garden following the last frost. Space at about 45 cm (18 inches) apart.
Caring for Tobacco plants
Once growing, tobacco should be watered during prolonged dry periods. Removing their trumpet flowers before they start setting seed will encourage further flowers. It is best to grow Nicotiana species from seed if you require further plants.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Nicotiana plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Browallia, Aloe vera, and Chinese Lanterns plants.
If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF.
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