Flowers

How to Plant Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco): Timing, Spacing, Care & Bloom

Quick answer

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost (ISU/NDSU/WI). Transplant at last frost (WI). NDSU also lists transplant 2 weeks after Safety: contains nicotine; toxic if eaten.

Nicotiana at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Transplant: last frost
SunFull sun to light shade; moist well-drained soil.
SpacingSurface sow — light needed (WI/ISU).
Days to bloomBloom season July–Oct. (Purdue HO-80)
-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Safety: Flowering tobacco contains nicotine and is toxic if eaten (UF ornamental tobacco guidance). NC State rates related Nicotiana × sanderi poison severity High. Do not eat any part; keep away from pets and children who might chew foliage. Ornamental only.

Flowering tobacco
Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata). Photo: Swaminathan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized).

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

ISU: flowering tobacco (N. alata) — 8 weeks sowing to planting. (ISU germination table) NDSU H-1139: sow 6 weeks before last frost; transplant 2 weeks after. (NDSU H-1139) Wisconsin (N. sylvestris): sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last average frost; transplant after last spring frost. (Wisconsin flowering tobacco) Planner follows Start −8/−6 and Transplant 0 (WI after frost); NDSU’s +2 weeks is a footnote alternative for cooler soils.

Depth and spacing

Surface sow — light needed (WI/ISU). Harden carefully; frost tolerance after hardening is slight (Purdue).

Sun, soil and water

Full sun to light shade; moist well-drained soil. Evening fragrance is a main garden use.

Care and bloom

Deadhead for continued bloom. Tall types may need staking.

Pests and diseases

Same nightshade family pests as related ornamentals — cultural spacing; use products as labeled.

Related: ZIP planner · planting calendars

Frequently asked questions

When do I start seed?

6–8 weeks before last frost (ISU/NDSU/WI).

When transplant?

At/after last frost (WI). NDSU chart also lists 2 weeks after.

Is it edible?

No — contains nicotine; toxic if eaten.

Sources