Nicotiana Species, Woodland Tobacco, Flowering Tobacco, South American Tobacco

On May 25, 2018, nothingfails from YAMBOL UPPER THRACE,
Bulgaria (Zone 7b) wrote:

Very slow to get it going. Planted the seeds in June last year. Most did not come out. It had reached only about 20 cm (a span/ human hand) by the time forsts started. I took it inside for the winter when it froze (did not develope further) until Spring. I took it out recently but something started eating its leaves during the nights. Not sure what it is - snails or slugs, which is strange as some say it is poisionous. Grown in a pot it does not seem very drought tolerant, as the leaves droop quickly. In my conditions there was hardly any scent off the flowers.

On Mar 13, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

This easy annual self-sows reliably and not too aggressively here (Boston Z6a). It's also easy to pull out if it begins growing where it isn't wanted. It tolerates more shade than most annuals.

The large basal leaves give it a coarse texture that makes it stand out in the border. They're also a lighter, brighter green than most vegetation, but not chartreuse. The leaves and stems are hairy/sticky.

The white flowers seem to glow at twilight. They are only slightly fragrant during the day. They reserve their sweet, strong fragrance for the evening and night, as it was evolved to attract the night-flying moths that pollinate them.

I find that cutting off flower clusters before they go to seed encourages the plant to develop more flower clusters. St... read moreems often need staking to remain upright. Stems that flop tend to develop new clusters of flowers at every node.

This plant is toxic in all its parts, smoking it is very risky. Smoking tobacco is a different species, N. tabacum.

On Mar 22, 2014, JoySwede from Baudette, MN wrote:

I have been growing this plant from seed for over 13 years. I start it from seed every year and it does beautifully in my flowerbeds on the Minnesota/Canadian border. It loves heat, sun and fertility, and has grown to 6' tall in some locations, it will still take a little shade too though. I love it for it's white flowers that glow in the evening, with the darkening woods in the background. Our "hummingbird moths" love to sip from it as well in the evening. It has unusual large and bright green leaves that make it look tropical for Minnesota. Easy and has a strong scent.
I deadhead them to keep them attractive and the flowers keep coming until frost.

On Aug 21, 2012, canadiangreen from Lethbridge,
Canada wrote:

I successfully started this plant from seed, transplanting it to a large barrel where it is growing 5 ft with many blooms. I did not expect to be able to grow this well in Southern Alberta.

Does anyone know if I should dead head this plant when the blooms are finished? Thanks.

On Apr 2, 2012, sladeofsky from Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote:

I grew this tobacco last year. When cold weather hit, it formed a basal rosette that persited through the mild winter and is now growing. I haven't read anything about this plant being a perrennial but I am happy it survived.
UPDATE: Last winter was much colder than the one before. My Tobacco plant did not form a rosette as id did the year before and I assume it would not return. However, I left a bit of the stem to mark its location. Now thee shoots are emerging around the stem. Is this a perennial?

On Apr 12, 2009, gardenhippie from Stroudsburg, PA wrote:

I planted this large plant in a big pot on my almost full sun deck. I then slightly moved it to have a bit of dappled shade and it did well. At first I was unhappy as the flowers got covered with bugs all over but then something came and ate all the small bugs over night and left the flowers unharmed and the plant just got beautiful with big leaves and tall stalks of night time sweet smelling flowers, all visitors to my deck were taken back by this unusual plant to put into a pot, I loved it !!! I plant it every year now without fail and get requests from friends to come and see again and again. Easy to collect the seeds. I grow this from seed that I start inside around mid march.

On Nov 19, 2006, donaldcorken from South Strafford, VT wrote:

I can't say enough good things about this plant. One of those annuals that have the dramatic presence to hold their own in a mixed perennial border. Indispensable. Takes a while to get going when first planted, but then it takes off practically overnight. Requires plenty of moisture and good rich soil.

On Aug 9, 2006, ladygardener1 from Near Lake Erie, NW, PA (Zone 5a) wrote:

The first time I grew this plant from seed. I did not realize how big it would get. The leaves are 11 to 12 inches long, so don't plant anything small to close.
Even though it is an annual in my zone, I still get some plants growing in spring on the south side foundation of the house where it is protected in winter.

The flowers are very fragrant. Great for a Moon Garden.

On Sep 6, 2005, ineedacupoftea from Denver, CO wrote:

I wish to add some little bits about this nifty (and stinky-leafed) plant.

What I would call a "Winter Annual," that is, surviving zones 7 or 6 winters if it did not bloom the first season. I'm starting the seeds in situ in fall in warmer areas of my garden. (Heavy leaf mulch is always good.) They will return in spring to bloom early throughout the summer and even some after the first frost!

The leaves are sticky and often attract insects like fly paper, killing gnats by the hundred, someimtes coatin ghe leaves with dead insects until a rain. I do not know what kind of gnats (beneficial/pest) but it is quite pleasing to see!

Also extremely tolerant of full hot sun and dry air. -A good desert plant; many "full sun" things will fry at high ... read morealtitude.

I have read somewhere about smoking this species. I'm not personally interested in the practice, but:
Nicotiana tabacum is the traditional smokable species.
Not processing one's leaves properly can leave (Fatally?) high levels of toxins in the leaves. Studies show that (proper, informed) propagation of one's own tobacco is much healthier than commercial additive-ridden tobaccos. (and hyper-tax free) But it is still not exactly good for your health.

On Aug 30, 2005, maineroses from Milo, ME (Zone 4a) wrote:

grew great in Maine i want to see if it winters well

is this the smoking tobacco?does anyone know.....

On Aug 8, 2001, poppysue from Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) wrote:

An old fashioned favorite grown for its fragrance and unique panicles of drooping white flowers. Plants grow up to 6 feet tall and prefer full sun.