Flowering Tobacco

Nicotiana performs best in partial shade to full sun with rich, consistently moist soil amended with plenty of organic matter. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, pressing the tiny seeds onto the surface of moist seed-starting mix without covering them, as they require light for germination. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, spacing plants twelve to eighteen inches apart depending on variety.

Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Nicotiana is more tolerant of shade than most annuals and actually produces richer green foliage with better fragrance when given afternoon protection from intense sun. Apply a two-inch layer of organic mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool during hot weather.

Taller varieties such as Nicotiana sylvestris can reach four to five feet and benefit from staking in exposed locations. Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming, though many modern varieties are self-cleaning. Feed every three to four weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Nicotiana self-sows readily in mild climates, producing volunteer seedlings the following spring.

Nicotiana alata, commonly known as flowering tobacco or jasmine tobacco, is native to southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Paraguay, where it grows as a short-lived perennial in subtropical grasslands and forest margins. The species was first described scientifically in 1825 by the German botanist Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link and the Czech botanist Christoph Friedrich Otto, based on specimens cultivated in the Berlin Botanical Garden. The genus Nicotiana was named by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in honor of Jean Nicot de Villemain, the French ambassador to Portugal who introduced tobacco plants to the French court in the 1560s. While commercial tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was cultivated for its leaves, Nicotiana alata attracted attention purely for its ornamental qualities and remarkable evening fragrance. European plant collectors brought seeds back from South America during the 19th century, and by the 1880s flowering tobacco had become a popular bedding plant in Victorian gardens throughout Britain and continental Europe. Gardeners prized its tall, elegant flower stalks and the intoxicating jasmine-like scent that perfumed summer evenings. During the 20th century, plant breeders developed numerous cultivars with expanded color ranges including pink, rose, red, crimson, and lime green. However, many modern compact hybrids sacrificed fragrance for daytime flower opening and shorter stature. In recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in the original fragrant species and heirloom varieties among cottage gardeners and moon garden enthusiasts. Nicotiana alata has also attracted scientific interest for its role in pollination ecology, as its long tubular flowers and nocturnal fragrance make it a model species for studying plant-moth coevolution. Today, flowering tobacco is grown worldwide as an annual ornamental in temperate gardens and as a tender perennial in frost-free subtropical regions.

Nicotiana prefers rich, humusy soil with good moisture retention and a pH of 5.8 to 6.5. Amend planting areas with generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Feed every three to four weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Container plants benefit from a slow-release granular fertilizer mixed into the potting soil at planting time. Avoid letting soil dry out completely, as nicotiana wilts quickly when drought-stressed.

Cut nicotiana flowers for indoor arrangements when several blooms on the spike have opened. Harvest in the evening when fragrance is strongest, cutting stems at an angle and placing immediately in water. For seed collection, allow flower stalks to dry on the plant until seed capsules turn brown and begin to split, then shake seeds into a paper bag. Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage new bloom stalks throughout the growing season.

Fresh-cut nicotiana stems last five to seven days in a clean vase with floral preservative. Change water every other day and recut stems. The flowers are best enjoyed fresh, as they do not dry well. Seeds can be collected when pods turn brown, stored in labeled envelopes in a cool, dry place, and remain viable for two to three years. Press individual flowers between book pages for crafting if desired.