How to Grow Flowering Tobacco
iNaturalist
Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata
flowerNicotiana is a tender annual or short-lived perennial grown for its fragrant tubular flowers that open in the evening and bloom in shades of white, pink, red, purple, and green. The plant produces attractive rosettes of large, sticky foliage and can reach 1-6 feet tall depending on variety. Many heirloom varieties are highly scented, while modern ornamental types often prioritize flower color and form.
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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 →Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 10-11
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Seed to Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seeds germinate in 7-14 days under warm conditions (70-75°F). Seedlings develop first true leaves and remain small for 2-3 weeks.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright indirect light. Use bottom heat (heat mat) to encourage germination. Do not cover seeds heavily.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop sticky, slightly wrinkled foliage and a rosette form. Stem elongation begins as plants reach 4-8 inches tall.
Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Handle carefully as foliage is sticky and fragile.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at the stem tips in tight clusters. Plants continue to grow taller and develop more lateral branches.
Maintain consistent moisture and nutrients. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Remove any diseased or yellowing lower leaves. Begin pinching back very tall varieties to encourage bushiness.
Flowering
6-12+ weeksTubular flowers open progressively, often in waves. Many varieties are more fragrant in evening. Flowers last 4-6 weeks or longer.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Provide consistent water and fertilization (lower nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage). Monitor for pests and diseases in humid conditions.
Seed Production & End of Season
4-8 weeks (variable)If flowers are allowed to fade, they develop papery seed capsules containing thousands of tiny seeds. Plants typically decline in frost-prone zones after first frost.
Leave some flowers unpicked to collect seeds. Allow pods to dry on plant, then harvest before they split. In mild climates, cut back plants can regrow and re-flower.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation is severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe. More common in hot, dry conditions
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Handpick caterpillars if present. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for larger infestations
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and
Remove debris and mulch close to stems; use slug traps or barriers; hand-pick at night
Uses
Ornamental table arrangements
CulinaryNicotiana flowers, particularly fragrant evening-blooming varieties, are prized as decorative cut flowers that perfume rooms and bring natural beauty to floral arrangements and centerpieces. [source]
Evening garden fragrance
HouseholdMany Nicotiana varieties release their strongest scent in evening hours, making them ideal for garden areas near patios, windows, or seating areas where their sweet perfume can be appreciated after sunset. [source]
Seed saving and heirloom gardening
CraftNicotiana produces abundant seeds that are easy to collect and store, making it popular among heirloom seed savers and gardeners interested in preserving open-pollinated plant varieties. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeNicotiana flowers attract hummingbirds, moths, and other pollinators, particularly the night-blooming varieties that serve as a nectar source for evening-feeding insects. [source]
Alkaloid source
MedicinalNicotiana species contain nicotine alkaloids historically used in botanical pesticides and medicinal preparations, though modern ornamental varieties are grown purely for ornament. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Nicotiana is grown as an ornamental; cut flowers last 5-7 days in a vase when stems are cut early morning. To save seed, allow flowers to dry on plant until seed pods turn brown and papery (late summer to fall). Harvest entire seed pods and dry indoors; store seeds in cool, dry conditions for up to 3 years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nicotiana comes from the Americas and is a relative of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum); the genus is named after Jean Nicot, a French diplomat who helped introduce tobacco to France in the 1500s.
- 🌱 The fragrance of evening-blooming Nicotiana varieties intensifies as dusk approaches—this adaptation evolved to attract night-flying moths and other nocturnal pollinators.
- 🌱 A single mature Nicotiana plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds, with over 10,000 seeds fitting in a teaspoon, making it extremely prolific for seed savers.
Gardening Terms
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