How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Nicotiana

Nicotiana consists of a few species and many varieties of ornamental flowers. While they are related to tobacco plants, they are grown for their beautiful flowers.

The trumpet-shaped flowers grow in clusters on the plants. They come in various shades of red and pink, purple, and white. The flowers are fragrant, especially in the evenings. They are generally grown as annuals in gardens. In USDA zones 10-11, they are short-lived perennials.  

Nicotiana flower tobacco is a popular choice for gardeners because of its lovely flowers and fragrance. They make great bedding annuals as well as container plants. When grown in their ideal conditions, they are a fairly easy plant to maintain and grow.

Plant History

The Nicotiana genus was named after Jean Nicot, a French ambassador to Portugal who introduced tobacco to the French Court in the 16th century. 

Nicotiana flowering tobacco’s history goes back even further to its native region in South America. It was used traditionally for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.

Today, it is grown as an ornamental plant with gorgeous flowers and a lovely jasmine scent.

Cultivation

Flowering tobacco is part of the genus Nicotiana. Within that genus, there are a few different species that are known as flowering tobacco.  Nicotiana alata is probably the most well-known species. It features smaller plants covered in stalks of scented flowers.

Nicotiana sylvestris is another species of flowering tobacco. It is a large plant with clusters of long narrow trumpet-shaped flowers that droop downwards. There are other species of flowering tobacco, including sanderae, mutabilis, and langsdorfii, to name a few. There are also many varieties, hybrids, and cultivars within the different species.

Propagation

Nicotiana can be purchased as a plant or grown from seed. Let’s examine both of these options.

Purchase

Nicotiana plants can be found in your local garden centers and nurseries after the danger of frost has passed in your area and the bedding plants arrive.

Choose healthy-looking plants with healthy foliage. I always take a quick look underneath the pot to see if there is a mat of roots coming out the bottom. This means the plant is rootbound. While you do want your plants to have a strong, healthy root system, too many tightly wound roots mean the plants will struggle once they are planted.

Seed

Growing nicotiana from seed is fairly simple and will save you money. You can start them directly by sowing the seeds outside. Or, you can start them inside and then transplant them out into the garden.

Direct sow your seeds into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Sprinkle the speed onto evenly moist soil (to learn more about the soil type they prefer, read the how-to-grow section below). Lightly cover them by raking them gently with your hand. These seeds need at least 12 hours of light to germinate. Keep them evenly moist. Once they emerge as seedlings, you will probably need to thin them out. The seeds are so tiny you will inevitably plant too many. You will want to space them 12-18” apart.

You can opt to get a head start on your flowers by starting them indoors. This is a great idea for gardeners in lower zones who have fewer frost-free days. Start your seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. 

Start by sprinkling your seeds into seed trays that have evenly moist seed starting mix in them. Place a plastic lid or dome of some kind on them to help retain the moist environment. Then, place them somewhere that has bright but indirect sunlight.

Once the frost has passed, they will be ready to plant outside. Make sure to harden off your plants before transplanting them outside. This process will accustom your plants to the outdoors.

Planting 

Planting nicotiana is easy, and the process should be kept simple since you may be planting a lot of them in your garden. Take your garden trowel and dig a hole. Make sure the soil is moist. It makes it easier to dig and easier for the plant to establish.

Remove the nicotiana from its pot. If the roots are in the same shape as the pot, crack them. I just take my hands and split the roots apart. Plant your nicotiana to the crown of the plant (where the stem meets the roots). Once you are finished planting your nicotiana, water them all in. Do not fertilize at this time. They need a chance to establish before fertilizer is necessary.

Avoid planting them in straight rows. Even if you are planting them as a border. Staggering them a bit will make them look more natural and will give them more space to grow.

How to Grow

Nicotiana will provide tons of gorgeous scented flowers if they are grown in their ideal conditions. Let’s examine these.

Sunlight Requirements

Nicotiana performs best in full sun to partial shade. This depends on the species of nicotiana. Nicotiana alata performs best in full sun conditions. Whereas Nicotiana sylvestris prefers dappled shade. 

If you plant your nicotiana in too much shade, you will get fewer flowers. They will also appear leggy and will reach towards the sun. This leaves your plants weakened and more susceptible to pests and diseases.

If you live in an area where it gets very hot and the sun is strong, providing some afternoon shade will help keep your nicotiana from wilting. 

Soil Requirements

Plant your nicotiana in rich, well-drained soil. Test your soil quickly by picking some up and squeezing it. If it stays in a ball-like putty, it has a high clay content and is not well-draining. If it just runs through your fingers, it is sandy and will not hold on to moisture. You want your soil to slowly crumble in your hand. 

For too much clay, consider adding coconut coir or peat. Or, in the fall, you can even use fallen leaves. Dig this into the soil to help loosen it. I will also add organic matter at this time. 

For too sandy soil, add lots of organic matter. Compost, worm castings, sea soil, and aged manure all work great. I have even mixed in potting soil in a pinch.

Water Requirements

Nicotiana likes to be kept evenly and consistently moist. Do not let it dry out between watering. If you are growing it in a container, you may have to water it more often to keep it from drying out.

Climate and Temperature Requirements 

Nicotiana is a short-lived perennial in zones 6-11. This is highly dependent on the species in question. But it is mostly used as an annual. Plant your nicotiana plants after the danger of frost has passed in your area.

Fertilizer 

Fertilize established flowering tobacco with an all-purpose fertilizer (20-20-20). Or you can use one that is specifically formulated for blooms (15-30-15). 

Do not fertilize your plants while they are growing. It will produce fast, leggy growth, which isn’t what you want. Wait until they are established and start to flower, then begin your fertilizer regime. I usually fertilize every three to four weeks, or two to three weeks for containers. Never fertilize dry plants. Always water first, and then apply fertilizer.

Maintenance 

Nicotiana does require some maintenance to keep them looking great throughout the season. Deadheading flowers that have finished blooming will make them produce more flowers. There are newer varieties on the market that are self-cleaning. The ‘Domino’ series, for instance, is a hybrid variety that does not require deadheading.

The large species of flowering tobacco, like Nicotiana sylvestris, might need to be staked or caged to keep them upright. I recommend planting them in a protected location so they won’t be blown around by the wind.

Varieties 

Nicotiana sylvestris ‘Indian Peace Pipe’ 

Nicotiana sylvestris ‘Indian Peace Pipe’ is a tall variety growing up to six feet high. It features white flowers that are long and narrow and hang downwards. This plant is striking and looks almost alien. The flowers are out of this world!

Nicotiana alata ‘Lime Green’

Nicotiana alata ‘Lime Green’ is a modern variety that looks great in bouquets. It features bright chartreuse flowers on long stalks. Green flowers are rare and always draw attention. They make a great feature plant in containers. 

Nicotiana x alata ‘Saratoga Purple Bicolor’

Nicotiana x alata ‘Saratoga Purple Bicolor’ is a tropical-looking variety. It is a bright pink on the margins, and it fades to pale pink and then to white in the center. It looks great in containers or as a bright pop of color in garden beds.

Nicotiana x sanderae ‘Perfume Deep Purple’

Nicotiana x sanderae ‘Perfume Deep Purple’ has deep velvety purple flowers. They are highly scented making them a great choice for containers planted near walkways and seating areas.

Design

On to the fun part: design. I love designing with annuals, and nicotiana flowering tobacco is a great flower to add to your garden.

I like planting smaller nicotiana species, like Nicotiana alata, in masses. Planting one here and there does not add much impact. But planting a whole border of them is visually stunning. Plant a border of them around a patio or walkway because they smell amazing too. Grow your own from seed to cut down on the cost. You can also plant them in small groups of three, five, or seven to add little pockets of color throughout your beds. 

Larger species, like Nicotiana sylvestris, look great as anchor plants. These grow very tall and have alien-looking flowers. They can be used as a feature plant in your garden. Anywhere you want to draw attention, plant a Nicotiana sylvestris. Since they grow large you don’t need tons of them, just a few planted around the garden. I like them planted in and amongst delphinium. They can grow to the same height, but the flowers are very different. It’s a cool juxtaposition in the garden.

Flowering tobacco also looks great in containers. Use a large Nicotiana sylvestris as a ‘thriller’ or feature plant in the middle of a pot and plant other plants around it. You can use smaller Nicotiana alata as a ‘filler’ plant in a container. It will fill in the spaces with brightly colored and lovely scented flowers. 

Pests and Diseases

Nicotiana is fairly disease and pest-resistant when they are grown in their ideal conditions. They are toxic and, therefore, resistant to rabbits, deer, and other critters. But they can have some issues. Let’s examine some of the more common pests and diseases associated with nicotiana.

Powdery Mildew 

Powdery mildew can affect your nicotiana plants. It is a fungus that produces a powdery white film that can be wiped off. It will stunt your plants and can eventually kill them.

To avoid powdery mildew, it is important to grow your plants in full sun to partial sun in well-drained soil. Watering is another factor for powdery mildew.  You will want to avoid overhead watering as much as possible. I water my plants with a drip hose snaked through the garden. This avoids getting the foliage wet.

For container plants, I will water using a tray at the bottom that the soil will soak up. If that isn’t an option, remove the sunflower head from the watering can and try and aim your water into the soil as opposed to on the plant.  If you are using overhead watering methods, water in the morning. This way, the sun can dry the foliage of the plant. If you water at night, the plant will sit wet for hours which is a breeding ground for mildew.

Proper plant spacing is also important to avoid powdery mildew. You will need to leave 12-18” of space between your plants to allow for adequate airflow. 

If you do see powdery mildew in your plants, remove the most affected leaves and then spray the plants with a fungicide. If it has gotten really out of control, I will pull the plants and start again.

Root Rot

Root rot can happen to any plant in the garden. Signs include yellowing lower leaves, a rotting odor, and the plant itself rotting at the crown.

Unfortunately, if your plants have root rot, there is not much you can do but pull them and start again. Root rot is caused by a fungus or bacteria. So, the best way to deal with root rot is to prevent it. Fungus and bacteria love dark and moist environments. 

Make sure you have soil that can drain. Add peat or coconut coir to heavy clay soil to loosen it and allow it to drain. If it is in a container, ensure you have large enough holes in the bottom of the pot so water can drain out. Pebbles in the bottom of the container are not enough and can facilitate root rot.  

Make sure your plants are spaced out to allow for airflow between them. If they are too crowded, they are more prone to rot.

Aphids

Aphids are an annoying little pest that can affect any garden plant, nicotiana included. Aphids are tiny soft-bodied insects that suck the sap and life out of your plants. You can find them hiding along the stem and underside of nicotiana leaves.

Never underestimate the power of a good hard spray with the hose. If the infestation isn’t too bad, the water pressure might be enough to blast most of them off. If you are growing nicotiana as an annual, you can just reduce the numbers until you pull them at the end of the season. You don’t need to fully eradicate them.

Your first round of defense is a garden full of beneficial predators. Ladybugs, birds, lacewings, and others will perform the pest control for you if you have a diversity of plants to attract them.

As a last resort, you might have to spray your plants to control a big aphid infestation on your plants. Choose an insecticidal soap and spray as directed.

Tobacco Hornworm

Tobacco hornworm is a species of caterpillar that feasts on nicotiana foliage. These pudgy caterpillars are bright green with a single horn. It has diagonal white stripes along its body, which distinguishes it from the tomato hornworm, which has a chevron pattern. In its adult stage, it becomes a beautiful sphynx moth.

These caterpillars will chew the foliage of your flowering tobacco. Hand-pick any hornworms on your plants and move them somewhere else. Applying diatomaceous earth around the affected plants can prevent hornworms from getting onto the plants.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

If you see mottled light green and dark green markings on the leaves of your nicotiana, you could be dealing with tobacco mosaic virus. Other symptoms include ring spots, leaf distortion, and deformed growth or venation.

The best course of action is to prevent the disease by planting quality-controlled seed, and removing affected plants to avoid spread to others. This disease is communicable from beans, tomatoes, and peppers as well. Therefore, look out for symptoms on these plants if they’re near your flowering tobacco.

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