This annual becomes fragrant at night, making it perfect for moon gardens.
Flowering tobacco plants have long been prized in cottage and moon gardens for their intensely scented flowers.
Bloom shapes can vary quite a bit.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Many white varieties are fragrant at night, emitting a sweet smell similar to jasmine.
In addition, their usually hairy leaves can be sticky to the touch, much like petunia plants.
Flowering tobacco is toxic to humans and pets.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Where to Plant Flowering Tobacco
Flowering tobacco should be planted where it will get plenty of sunshine.
Taller varieties are much more likely to require staking in more shade.
Light
Flowering tobacco plantsdo best in full sun, and some varieties can perform in part sun.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Soil and Water
Flowering tobacco plants are extremely easy to grow in well-drained, moist soils.
Give them rich soil, and they’ll happily load up on blooms that last until frost.
Once these plants are established, they can handle some drought but prefer reasonablyconsistent moisture.
Credit: Bob Lenz
Temperature and Humidity
Temperatures on the moderate side are best for flowering tobacco.
It won’t survive high heat andextremely coldweather.
Fertilizer
These plants are very heavy feeders, so aslow-release fertilizeris always beneficial.
Credit: David Speer
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
For bushier plants, pinch out the center stem of the plant.
Plant 1 quart plants in 1 gallon containers to eliminate the need for repotting after they’ve grown.
Potted flowering tobacco will need daily watering during the hottest days of summer.
Pests and Problems
Because of the toxicity of these plants, they’re generally pest free.
A few pests, however, have managed to deal with these toxins.
Credit: Bryan E. McCay
These big bugs can quickly defoliate plants almost overnight.
Manual removal is the easiest course of action against them.
You may also encounterproblems with aphidsand whiteflies, but these are usually uncommon in outdoor configs.
Credit: Matthew Benson
Place pots in a warm spot (a warming mat works well) under bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil well-moistened; watering in a tray underneath the seed pots is ideal.
Seedlings will emerge after a couple of weeks.
Credit: Tom McWilliam
Jasmine Tobacco
Nicotiana alatabears clusters of fragrant greenish-yellow flowers on 5-foot-tall stems.
Cut it for vases, but be aware that the flowers shatter easily after a few days.
Because it develops large thorns, keeping spider flower away from walkways is best.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Be careful about fertilizing, or you’ll have extremely tall, floppy plants.
Group in clusters of 6 or more for best effect.
Zones 3-11
Dusty Miller
Dusty miller is a favorite becauseit looks good with everything.
Zones 7-10
French Marigolds
Frenchmarigolds are the fancy ones.
They tend to be frilly, and some boast a distinctive “crested eye.”
They grow roughly 8-12 inches high with a chic, neat growth habit and dark green foliage.
They do best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and will flower all summer long.
They may reseed, coming back year after year in spots where they’re happy.
Don’t forget a garden seat to relax and take it all in!
All of them are toxic.
Flowering tobacco is native to Southern Brazil and Northeastern Argentina.
Nicotiana x sanderi.North Carolina State University Extension.
