Cultivated Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum
An annual or perennial herb characterized by very large, oval or lance-shaped green leaves that are sticky to the touch and a thick, hairy central stem.
- Light
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day.
- Water
- Moderate; keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Drought can lead to stunted growth and bitter leaves.
- Growth
- Upright herbaceous annual/perennial; typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Care instructions
Requires full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Provide consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer during early growth and phosphorus-rich fertilizer as bloom approaches.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day.
Watering
Moderate; keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Drought can lead to stunted growth and bitter leaves.
Soil
Deep, fertile, well-drained loamy or sandy soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.2.
Hardiness zone
8-11 (often grown as an annual in cooler climates).
Growth habit
Upright herbaceous annual/perennial; typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Bloom season
Mid-summer to early autumn; produces trumpet-shaped flowers that range from white to pink or red.
Propagation
Propagated by seed sown on the surface of the soil in early spring; requires light to germinate.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to tobacco hornworms, aphids, and flea beetles, as well as diseases like tobacco mosaic virus and black shank.
Similar species
Nicotiana rustica (Wild Tobacco), which is smaller and more potent; also resembles Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana) in the vegetative stage, but Pokeberry has smooth stems and purple berries.