Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)

Flowering tobacco, also known as jasmine tobacco, sweet tobacco, or winged tobacco, is a captivating ornamental plant that has its roots in regions stretching from southern Brazil to northern Argentina, inclusive of Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia. A notable addition to gardens, it is revered for its ability to infuse vibrant hues and a delightful fragrance in its surroundings.

The plant stands out with its somewhat fuzzy and sticky leaves, which lay the foundation for stalks graced with clusters of vibrant blooms. These flowers make their grand entrance in the summer and linger until the early fall, showcasing a spectacular evening or nighttime bloom. The arrival of these blooms is accompanied by a rich, sweet scent that pervades the night air, becoming a beacon for nocturnal pollinators, such as moths, that play a crucial role in maintaining the garden ecosystem.

To witness this natural spectacle in your garden, plant flowering tobacco in the springtime, ensuring to choose a period after the last frost has graced your area. This timing will facilitate optimal growth and a healthy life cycle for the plant.

It’s essential to note that while this plant brings beauty and fragrance to gardens, it harbors a dark side. The plant holds a certain level of toxicity which is harmful to humans and pets alike. Consequently, it is prudent to ensure it is planted in areas where contact with vulnerable individuals or pets can be managed or avoided to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure.

Flowering Tobacco Care

Cultivating flowering tobacco successfully hinges on providing it with warm weather and adequately heated soil. To prevent the onset of root rot and potential diseases, avoid planting in cold, damp soil commonly found in early spring. Initiate your planting process about two weeks after the anticipated last frost date and opt for a sunny spot in your garden. Despite these initial requirements, you’ll find that flowering tobacco is a generally low-maintenance plant that flourishes well as an annual in containers too.

Light

To foster a healthy growth environment, position your flowering tobacco plants where they can bask in full sun to partial shade, receiving no less than six hours of sunlight on a majority of days. However, in areas with intense heat, shielding them from the scorching afternoon sun will prevent potential damage.

Soil

When it comes to soil preferences, flowering tobacco is quite accommodating, growing well in a variety of soil types and displaying tolerance for a broad pH spectrum, ranging from 6.1 to 7.8. Despite its adaptability, ensuring good drainage is pivotal. The plant thrives best in soil rich in organic components.

Water

Ensuring a consistent moisture level is beneficial for the flowering tobacco plant. Regular watering is essential, particularly when the top inch of soil seems dry. Nevertheless, once established, these plants can endure brief periods of drought with minimal distress.

Temperature and Humidity

Flowering tobacco is fairly resilient and adapts well to moderate temperature ranges. It doesn’t fuss much about humidity levels, but caution should be exercised to avoid extreme temperature conditions, as it doesn’t fare well in overly hot or freezing environments.

Fertilizer

For a spectacular bloom display, enrich the soil with a balanced organic fertilizer immediately post-planting. Maintaining a monthly fertilization schedule throughout its growing season, spanning from the onset of summer till the first fall frost, will encourage vibrant and healthy flowering.

Pruning

For those nurturing flowering tobacco plants, early attention can foster a fuller growth. Initially, pinching out the central stem in young plants will promote bushier development. As the season progresses, the main task will be deadheading to encourage further blooming. However, as the season winds down, reduce the deadheading if you aim to have the plant self-seed for the next growing period.

Propagating Flowering Tobacco

Propagating flowering tobacco is generally done through seed sowing. Attempting to propagate using other methods like stem cuttings or division is usually not successful.

Potting and Repotting Flowering Tobacco

Select compact flowering tobacco varieties are well-suited for container cultivation, allowing you to bask in their fragrant blossoms on patios or decks during the evening. Generally available in 1-quart pots, they can be shifted to 1-gallon containers for sufficient growth space throughout the season without the need for repotting later. Note, container plants will need frequent watering, sometimes daily during the heat of summer, to maintain soil moisture.

Overwintering

In cooler climates, flowering tobacco doesn’t fare well during winter, usually cultivated as an annual to be discarded as the season concludes, negating the need for overwintering considerations.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Watch out for flea beetles and tobacco hornworms, the primary pests threatening flowering tobacco plants. Flea beetle infestations are indicated by numerous small holes appearing on the leaves. Employ floating row covers to safeguard young plants, while established ones are less likely to suffer significant damage. Diatomaceous earth can serve as an organic solution against flea beetles.

Meanwhile, if you notice a drastic reduction in foliage, inspect for the tobacco hornworm, identifiable by their green bodies and tail barbs. These pests metamorphose into hummingbird moths, a desirable visitor to gardens. If the damage is unacceptable, consider manual removal or the application of Bacillus thuringiensis as a natural pest control option.

Be wary of tobacco mosaic virus, a disease causing stunted growth and leaf yellowing. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed to prevent virus spread.

How to Get Flowering Tobacco to Bloom

If flowering tobacco is failing to bloom, inadequate sunlight or water are the usual culprits. Adjusting the location for container-grown plants can rectify the issue, providing them with the essential sunlight for blooming.

How to Grow Flowering Tobacco from Seed

Seeds serve as the primary means to propagate flowering tobacco. You might opt to let it self-seed in your garden space. Given the minuscule size of the seeds, initiating growth in small pots or seed flats is advised. Follow these steps for successful propagation:

1. Initiate the seeding process 5-6 weeks before the expected last frost date. Lightly press the seeds into soil-filled pots, covering them with just a faint layer of soil since they necessitate light for germination.
2. Maintain a brightly lit setting for the pots with temperatures ranging between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure consistent soil moisture. Once seedlings sprout, which might take up to a fortnight, arrange for adequate sunlight, supplementing with growth lights if necessary.
3. Gradually acclimatize the young plants to outdoor conditions and transplant them post the final frost.

Types of Flowering Tobacco

Flowering tobacco plants showcase a diversity in their size, hues, and other characteristics. A few notable varieties include:

• ‘Lime Green’: Standing about 2 feet tall, it bears flowers of a distinctive lime green shade, which also exude a strong fragrance.
• ‘Nicki Red’: A slightly shorter variety, reaching heights of about 1.5 feet and boasting vibrant deep red blooms.
• ‘Perfume Deep Purple’: This variant stands tall at approximately 2 feet and is known for its rich, deep purple blossoms.