Nicotiana

( nik - oh - shee - AY - nuh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Flowering Tobacco, this genus of perennials is often treated as a genus of annuals, and the plants need full sun to partial shade and regular water. The flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous if ingested, so take care when planting these in your yard. They are native to South America and will over-winter in mild-winter areas. Flowering Tobacco has an upright habit with sticky foliage and very fragrant (in some species) flowers which open at nighttime or on cloudy days. Some varieties, however, bloom during the day. Some varieties will also reseed easily.

Nicotiana Species and Varietals

The genus Nicotiana is in the plant family Solanaceae and includes 79 species. Nicotiana grows best in all zones, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Nicotiana acuminata (Manyflower Tobacco)
These plants are annuals that reach a bit over three feet tall and are native to Argentina and Chile. Leaves are green, and flowers are white or green-tinged.
Nicotiana alata (Nicotiana affinis) (Jasmine Tobacco, Sweet Tobacco, Winged Tobacco, Tanbaku, Persian Tobacco)
This is a wild species mainly grown as an ornamental plant that reaches 2-4 feet tall and a foot wide. These plants are cultivated in Iran for use as narghila tobacco. Flowers are large and white, and open in the evening, emitting a wonderful fragrance. Varieties are available that open both day and night in a range of colors, including white, pink, red and lime green. Choice selections are outlined below.
Perfume Series
Grows to 20 inches tall, and sold as Nicotiana x sanderae. Pleasantly fragrant.
'Avalon Pink'
Reaches 12 inches tall; a nice, compact selection with pink blooms.
Domino Series
12-15 inches tall with upward-facing flowers that can take some sun and heat.
Nicki Series
15-18 inches tall.
Sensation Strain
An older strain that reaches 4 feet tall; great for informal gardens.
'Grandiflora'
3 feet tall, with fantastic evening fragrance.

Nicotiana attenuata (Coyote Tobacco)
These plants are native to western North America, and grows in many different landscapes in its range. Flowers are pinkish to greenish white and tubular. This type of tobacco was cultivated by the Zuni, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, and Paiute. 

Nicotiana glauca (Tree Tobacco)
These plants typically reach over 6 feet tall (at the most 23 feet tall) and are native to South America, but are widespread in the southwestern United States and are considered invasive in California. Flowers are tubular and yellow

Nicotiana langsdorffii (Langsdorff's Tobacco)
This species reaches 5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, with bright yellow-green flowers that hang in drooping sprays. The flowers are not noticeably fragrant. Leaves are large and sticky. These plants are commonly grown as garden ornamentals.

Nicotiana quadrivalvis (Colombian Tobacco, Sacred Tobacco)
This species is native to the western United States, and was traditionally cultivated by the indigenous people living in southern Oregon and northern California. Flowers are purple- or green-tinged white, and foliage is green.

Nicotiana rustica (Aztec Tobacco, Strong Tobacco, Hopi Tobacco, Makhorka, Mapacho)
This species is native to South America, and is a very potent variety of tobacco (containing up to 9 times the amount of nicotine than Nicotiana tabacum). 

Nicotiana sylvestris (Woodland Tobacco, Flowering Tobacco, South American Tobacco)
This plant reaches 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide and has an intense fragrance. Flowers are white, long and tubular, and bloom in tiers at the top of the plant. Great for night gardens. Foliage is somewhat sticky. These plants are typically cultivated as ornamental plants, but are toxic and should not be consumed.

Nicotiana tabacum (Cultivated Tobacco)
These annual plants reach between 3 and 10 feet tall at maturity, and have sticky foliage. Flowers are scented, and bloom in inflorescences of a few blooms. Flowers can be pink, white, or red. This is a very commonly cultivated species of tobacco.

Caring for Nicotiana

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Nicotiana
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 456, Nicotiana
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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