PlantFiles: Tree Tobacco
Nicotiana glauca

I have no problem with these getting out of control in the desert. I planted a few seeds three years ago and had one plant. None grew last year and this year three are growing nicely. The hummingbirds and Sphinx moths love them. Some of my gourd vines are climbing on the sturdy branches and it has saved me from having to provide additional support. It looks pretty cool with the yellow flowers and baby bottle neck gouds hanging from it. This plant needs water to survive, so it's great for the desert since it only seems to trive during the rainey season.

I have not grown this tree or shrub which is native to Bolivia and Argentina. Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) also is known by the common names mustard tree, wild tobacco, wildetabak, Mexican tobacco, tabaco Cimarron, taba, Don Juan and Brazilian tree tobacco. Tree tobacco has become naturalized in the southwestern United States, as well as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Hawaii where it is considered a common weed by some. Preferring moist, but well-drained soil, it can be found in gravelly/sandy washes and at river edges.

Tree tobacco is small, evergreen tree or shrub with a loose-branching habit. It grows between 6 and 25 feet tall; however, it is usually between 6 and 15 feet tall. The opposite, smooth, large lance-shaped leaves appear on short stalks and clasp the stems. The thickish, oblong, silvery blue-green, rubbery leaves are opposite each other low on the branches. Lacking stalks, the upper leaves lie in an upward angle against the branches. They become smaller as they near the end of the branches near the flowering portion. The bark has a waxy coating.

Tree tobacco usually blooms from mid-March through November; however, in warm climates it will bloom all year. The up to 2-inch (5 cm) long, tubular flowers are loosely clustered at the branch tips. The flowers attract hummingbirds and are pollinated by butterflies and moths.

Nicotiana glauca is propagated by cuttings or by seed. Seed should be surface-sown because they need light to germinate. They can be sown in the spring; however, for an earlier and, thus, longer bloom time, start the seeds about 8 to10 weeks before the usual last frost date.

Tree tobacco contains the toxic alkaloid anabasine and all parts of the evergreen plant are toxic year-round. In Texas, cattle and horses are most frequently poisoned. Tree tobacco has been publicized as a safe, hallucinogenic plant on some internet websites; however, smoking and/or ingesting the plant has lead to death. The use of Nicotiana glauca derivatives is being studied as a possible treatment for nicotine addiction because it does not contain nicotine.

Tree Tobacco Nicotiana glauca ia naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas.

I've seen this tree in my area, Riverside, CA. Some folks grow it simply because it'll grow just about anywhere. I've also seen it growing in vacant lots and undeveloped areas. We have a couple plants out behind our warehouse where I work. I've heard it being called "Indian Tobacco" ...refering to the Native Americans...but don't hold me to it.

There is a tree in my backyard, in Puerto Rico, I know is nicotiana, but the flowers are smaller, same shape, and white. Every bird, all kinds of insects, love this tree. Unfortunately, every seed that falls on pots, or ground becomes a seedling.

It could become a pest. However, that is a small price while watching all the life it feeds.

Considered to be a noxious weed in parts of the US.