Nicotiana Species, Flowering Tobacco, Jasmine Tobacco, Ornamental Tobacco

Nicotianaalata

Family
Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Nicotiana (nih-ko-she-AH-na)
Species
alata (a-LAY-tuh)
Synonym
Nicotiana affinis
Nicotiana affinis var. grandiflora
Nicotiana alata var. grandiflora
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Dutton, Alabama

Anderson, California

Calistoga, California

Citrus Heights, California

Clayton, California

Elk Grove, California

Eureka, California(2 reports)

Fair Oaks, California

Fairfield, California

Lake Nacimiento, California

Livermore, California

Napa, California

PASO ROBLES, California

Richmond, California

San Diego, California

Santa Clara, California

Stockton, California

Westbrook, Connecticut

Indialantic, Florida

Sorrento, Florida

Decatur, Georgia

Newnan, Georgia

Valdosta, Georgia

Chicago, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Evanston, Illinois

Itasca, Illinois

Demotte, Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

Flora, Indiana

Clearwater, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Cumberland, Maryland

Ijamsville, Maryland

Amesbury, Massachusetts

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Mathiston, Mississippi

Saint Joseph, Missouri

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Greenville, North Carolina

Bucyrus, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Felicity, Ohio

Newark, Ohio

Cave Junction, Oregon

Champion, Pennsylvania

Kintnersville, Pennsylvania

Chepachet, Rhode Island

Lexington, South Carolina

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Broaddus, Texas

Crockett, Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

Logan, Utah

Ogden, Utah

Charlottesville, Virginia

Church Road, Virginia

Clinton, Washington

Green Acres, Washington

Greenacres, Washington

North Sultan, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Sultan, Washington

Yakima, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

13
positives
6
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
M
Clearwater, KS (Zone 6b) | November 2021 | positive

Zone 6b, south central Kansas

Purchased a packet of the species seed from Select-Seeds and scattered it in a prepared bed...Read More

G
Lexington, KY | July 2019 | neutral

Does anyone know if this seed can be scattered with other wildflower seeds in the fall? I have read it self seeds and that would lead me ...Read More

J
J
Bay Shore, NY (Zone 7a) | July 2012 | positive

I love this plant! Here (7b) it self sows freely and each spring I'm amazed at how many "babies" I have, ALL over my gardens. As others ...Read More

E
Calgary , AB (Zone 3a) | September 2011 | positive

Need warm evenings to germinate. I started the seeds outdoors after last frost (early June). They grew a bit slowly at first, but once th...Read More

C
Provo, UT | August 2010 | positive

Absolutely one of my favorite plants. The fragrance is stunning, and the flowers (like others have said) simply glow at night. And how ma...Read More

M
Sorrento, FL | March 2010 | positive

Last year this plant grew extremely well here in Sorrento, FL. The night blooms attracted spinx moths which attracted Screech Owls who fe...Read More

N
N
Chepachet, RI (Zone 5b) | May 2009 | positive

I absolutely adore this plant/ I grew it for the first time last year and simply fell in love with it. It's fragrance in the evening is...Read More

V
Eureka, CA | July 2008 | positive

I can just see the eyes "pop" when I say this... I have found that my Nicotiana's are performing much better on the North side of our res...Read More

A
Dutton, AL (Zone 7a) | November 2005 | neutral

I like flowering tobacco, planted them along the front border of the garden this year because I wanted something different than the same ...Read More

D
Brandon, MB (Zone 2b) | September 2005 | positive

This is definitely one of the most fragrant flowers I have ever grown! It usually does not smell during the day, but at night, you can st...Read More

C
Crossville, TN (Zone 7a) | July 2004 | positive

Beautiful scent at night- Blooms look great during the day here (it gets really hot and they are in full sun).
Scent not noted du...Read More

D
Columbus, OH | July 2004 | positive

Nicotiana came back from root stock in my Columbus Ohio garden 2 years ago. I saw it sprouting from a root section as I was turning the ...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | January 2003 | positive

Take root cuttings for propagation. Grandiflora has bigger, deeper-throated flowers than the type. Night scented.

B
San Francisco, CA | November 2002 | neutral

This plant got very over grown, and had the tendency to go more into production of the huge leaves and not the flowers. It needs much mor...Read More

F
F
Brighton, MA | September 2002 | neutral

Yes, it is toxic! It is a tobacco plant.

P
P
Salem, OR (Zone 8a) | September 2002 | positive

I grew this variety several years ago, and loved it, but had a difficult time finding it again until this year. Many stores/nurseries hav...Read More

W
Seward, AK (Zone 3b) | August 2002 | positive

This is the first season I have grown Nicotiana alata. I bought the seed because the blooms are fragrant. Underestimating the stature of ...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

All species of this genus are thought to contain narcotic poisons. This great bedding plant will grow fantastically in places with hot, h...Read More

P
Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) | August 2001 | neutral

The unimproved white variety of Nicotiana alata is the most fragrant of all. Flowers droop in the heat of the day but at dusk they revive...Read More

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