Flowering tobacco

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; give it afternoon shade in hot climates.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water during dry spells, especially while plants establish and when grown in containers.

Soil

Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil; tolerates slightly acid to slightly alkaline conditions.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Flowers

Summer to autumn, until frost; the species has white, long-tubed flowers, most fragrant in the evening and at night.

Foliage

Broad, soft, sticky-hairy green leaves, largest near the base, with smaller leaves extending down the stems as narrow wings.

Growth

Fast; flowers in its first growing season from an early sowing.

Care needed

Medium

• Plant out after the last frost, once nights are reliably mild; space plants 12-24 in (30-60 cm) apart.
• Water at soil level when the surface begins to dry; do not let containers dry out completely.
• Work compost into the soil before planting; feed container plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser according to its label.
• Mulch after the soil warms, keeping mulch away from the stems.
• Stake tall plants early in exposed positions using slender supports.

Pruning. Remove faded flower clusters through summer to prolong flowering and limit self-seeding. Pull out plants after frost kills them; leave a few seedheads beforehand only if you want seedlings.

Early spring

Sow indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Press the tiny seeds onto moist seed compost without covering them; provide light and gentle warmth.

Mid-spring

Pot seedlings individually once large enough to handle, and keep them in bright light.

Late spring

Harden plants off gradually and plant outdoors after frost risk has passed.

Early summer

Add supports before tall stems lean, and mulch to conserve moisture.

Summer

Water during dry weather, feed containers, and remove faded flower clusters.

Autumn

Collect ripe seed if wanted, remove unwanted seedlings, and clear plants after a killing frost.

• Plant beside a patio or evening seating area where its scent can be enjoyed without brushing against the sticky foliage.
• Thread small groups through the middle or back of a cottage border for loose height above lower flowers.
• Combine with white cosmos and silver foliage in a moon garden, where pale flowers remain visible at dusk.
• Grow in a large, sheltered container with good drainage, allowing room for its broad basal leaves.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden, Sensory garden, White garden, Moon garden and Evening garden.

Plant it with: Cosmos, Verbena, Salvia, Japanese anemone, Lamb's ears and Sweet alyssum.

Wildlife: The fragrant, long-tubed flowers provide nectar for long-tongued moths, including hawkmoths. Avoid insecticides on open flowers.

• Aphids gather on soft growth: dislodge small colonies with water and encourage ladybirds; use insecticidal soap if necessary, following the label.
• Slugs and snails damage seedlings: check after dark, remove by hand, and use labelled iron-phosphate bait where needed.
• Powdery mildew can coat leaves in dry, crowded conditions: improve spacing, keep roots evenly moist, and remove badly affected foliage.
• Mosaic viruses cause mottled leaves and distorted growth: remove affected plants, clean tools, and wash hands after handling tobacco products.

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. All parts contain toxic alkaloids, including nicotine; ingestion can cause vomiting, weakness, abnormal heart rate, tremors and potentially fatal poisoning. Keep plants and seed away from children and animals, and seek urgent medical or veterinary advice after suspected ingestion.

• Woodland tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)

  Usually taller, with much larger leaves and dense terminal clusters of long, narrow, hanging white flowers.

• Langsdorff's tobacco (Nicotiana langsdorffii)

  Has small, hanging yellow-green bells with conspicuous bluish anthers, rather than broad, white star-shaped flower faces.

• Hybrid flowering tobacco (Nicotiana × sanderae)

  Common bedding forms are often compact, with pink, red or other coloured flowers that stay open by day and usually have little scent; labels and habit help distinguish them.

Nicotiana honours Jean Nicot, who helped introduce tobacco to France, and alata means 'winged', referring to the leaf tissue running down the stems.

Propagation. Grow from seed sown on the surface in bright light at about 65-75°F (18-24°C). It may self-seed where conditions suit; seedlings from hybrids or plants grown beside other flowering tobaccos may not resemble the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Nicotiana alata

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Argentina Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Measured

Average height 150 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.