How to Grow Flowering Tobacco
Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata
flowerFlowering tobacco is an ornamental annual or tender perennial prized for its tubular, star-shaped flowers that release an intoxicating fragrance in the evening. The plant produces delicate blooms in shades of pink, red, white, purple, and bicolor combinations, growing on tall, leafy stems. It attracts hummingbirds and pollinators while adding vertical interest and evening perfume to garden beds and containers.
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Example Flowering Tobacco timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Flowering Tobacco
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Flowering Tobacco blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Performs best in zones 5-10; grown as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warm zones
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with first true leaves appearing within 10-14 days. Plants are delicate with narrow, elongated leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill. Maintain temperature around 70-75°F. Do not cover seeds; they need light to germinate.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop deeper green foliage and multiple stems. Height increases steadily, with larger, more robust leaves forming along the stems.
Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing. Transplant to larger containers or harden off for garden planting once 3-4 true leaves appear. Begin feeding with diluted balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Pinch off terminal buds to encourage bushier growth if desired.
Budding & Flowering
6-10 weeks (continuous with deadheading)Flower buds form at stem tips, then open into star-shaped tubular blooms. Flowers typically open in late afternoon and release strong fragrance overnight.
Switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer (5-10-10) to promote flowering. Continue consistent watering. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Stake taller varieties if needed. Enjoy evening fragrance.
Peak Bloom & Seed Set
8-12 weeksPlant is covered with blooms in succession. If flowers are not deadheaded, small green seed pods develop in place of spent flowers.
Continue deadheading for prolonged flowering. If allowing seed to set (for saving seeds), stop deadheading select stems. Allow seeds to mature and dry on the plant before collecting.
Senescence & Winter Dormancy
4-8 weeks (varies by zone)In cooler zones, plants decline with fall frost. In warm zones, perennial plants may slow growth during winter months before regenerating in spring.
In zones 3-9, allow first frost to kill plants, then remove and compost. In zones 10+, reduce watering and fertilizing; prune back by one-third in late winter to rejuvenate. Collect seed before the first hard freeze if desired.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Hand-pick large caterpillars from plants. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for organic control. Remove and destroy infested foliage.
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Increase humidity and water misting. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Prune heavily infested foliage.
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Use sticky traps to monitor and trap. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation.
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Remove by hand at dusk. Create barriers with copper tape or diatomaceous earth. Use slug traps or bait if needed.
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Improve air circulation and reduce leaf wetness. Spray with sulfur or fungicide at first sign. Remove heavily affected leaves.
Uses
Evening Garden Fragrance
CulinaryFlowering tobacco is prized for its intensely sweet, intoxicating fragrance released during evening hours, making it ideal for evening gardens and cutting for indoor bouquets. [source]
Hummingbird & Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeThe tubular flowers are perfectly designed to attract hummingbirds and hawk moths, while also drawing butterflies and bees to the garden. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftFlowering tobacco stems last 7-10 days in a vase and add height, texture, and evening fragrance to fresh flower arrangements and bouquets. [source]
Ornamental Garden Design
HouseholdTall varieties provide vertical interest and are used as backdrop plantings in borders, while dwarf varieties work well in containers and bedding displays. [source]
Traditional Uses
MedicinalHistorically, Nicotiana species were used in traditional medicine in various cultures; modern ornamental varieties are grown purely for aesthetic and fragrance purposes. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For cut flowers, harvest in the morning or evening when blooms are freshly opened and most fragrant. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle just below a node. Remove lower leaves that would sit below the waterline. For seed saving, allow flowers to fade and dry on the plant. Once seed pods turn brown and papery (late summer/fall), cut entire seed heads and dry indoors. Store seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 2-3 years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Flowering tobacco's evening fragrance is most intense during dusk and nighttime hours, with some varieties releasing virtually no scent during the day—this timing may have evolved to attract night-flying hawk moths as pollinators.
- 🌱 The plant is a relative of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) and contains similar alkaloids, but ornamental Nicotiana alata varieties have been bred for flowers rather than leaf production.
- 🌱 Seeds of flowering tobacco are incredibly tiny—over 10,000 seeds can weigh just one gram—making them challenging to handle but rewarding for seed savers to collect and propagate.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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