Tobacco plant (Nicotiana sylvestris)
Fragrant Nicotiana sylvestris offers showy white flowers from June to frost. This low-maintenance Tobacco plant thrives in Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Nicotiana sylvestris, widely recognized as the Tobacco plant, is a highly valued ornamental for its intense late-season fragrance and striking visual impact. This vigorous, rosette-forming species shoots upward to produce pendant clusters of long, trumpet-shaped white flowers that genuinely resemble shooting stars. It transforms summer gardens, providing reliable color and evocative scent until the first hard frost.
As a tender perennial hardy only in USDA Zones 10-11, the Tobacco plant is most often appreciated as a dramatic, fast-growing annual in cooler regions. Its large, coarse basal leaves provide excellent texture, complementing the height achieved by the flower stalks, which typically reach three to five feet tall.
Gardeners flock to Nicotiana sylvestris not just for its beauty, but for its function: the strongly fragrant blossoms are magnets for evening pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Proper siting ensures that these qualities—height, texture, and powerful scent—are maximized in the landscape design.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Solanaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Argentina
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Starting Nicotiana sylvestris requires planning, especially if you are growing it as an annual outside of Zones 10-11. Seed is often best sown indoors around 6 to 8 weeks before your area’s average last frost date. Alternatively, you can sow seeds directly outside after all danger of frost has passed. Set out seedlings or purchased plants into the garden when the weather has reliably warmed.
This plant thrives in consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soils. While it tolerates full sun, gardeners in very hot climates often find that Nicotiana sylvestris appreciates some afternoon shade to prevent wilting or fading during peak summer heat. Watering should remain regular to maintain that medium moisture level; never allow the soil to dry out completely.
In cooler summer regions, the plant often blooms beautifully from early summer straight through to frost. In hot summers, blooming might slow down during the hottest weeks but should resume as temperatures moderate. Deadheading spent flower clusters helps encourage continuous new bloom production. As a necessary precaution, avoid planting this species near vegetable crops in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes or peppers, due to potential virus transmission risks.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic height and fragrant, showy flowers make Nicotiana sylvestris an indispensable element in certain garden designs. It excels when used en masse in borders or as a vertical accent within relaxed cottage gardens, instantly adding a lush, tropical feel. Consider planting the Tobacco plant near patios, decks, or walkways where its evening fragrance can be easily enjoyed during outdoor activities.
When planning companion plantings, pair it with lower-growing annuals or perennials that offer contrasting foliage texture or bloom color. Its towering presence works well behind medium-height material that can soften the base foliage. Because it grows rapidly and offers such substantial visual impact, it fits perfectly into revitalization plans for summer beds that have begun to look sparse by mid-season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nicotiana sylvestris, commonly called flowering tobacco or white shooting stars, is a vigorous, rosette-forming plant that typically grows 3-5’ tall and features pendant clusters of long-tubed, trumpet-shaped, white flowers that purportedly resemble shooting stars. The flowers are strongly fragrant, blooming from summer to fall, providing excellent color and scent for late summer borders. The genus name honors Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco to France, while the specific epithet signifies its preference for woodland settings.
Tolerances
No specific tolerances were listed for this variety beyond its hardiness zone rating.
Potential Problems
Generally, the Tobacco plant exhibits no serious insect or disease problems under ideal conditions. However, be vigilant for common pests like aphids and beetles, which can sometimes appear. The most significant disease concern is the tobacco mosaic virus; prevent introduction by carefully avoiding contact with infected host plants, especially other members of the Solanaceae family grown nearby. Due to its impressive height and somewhat coarse structure, staking is often a necessary cultural requirement to keep flower stalks upright during wind or heavy rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Nicotiana sylvestris suitable for?
The Tobacco plant is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it functions as a perennial. In all cooler zones, it should be planted as an annual.
When does Tobacco plant bloom?
This species reliably blooms from June right through until the first frost, providing consistent white, fragrant flowers throughout the late summer and fall.
How large does Nicotiana sylvestris grow?
Mature Nicotiana sylvestris typically achieves a height between 3 and 5 feet, with a relatively narrow spread of 1 to 2 feet.
What sun exposure does Nicotiana sylvestris need?
This plant performs best when positioned in full sun to light part shade. Providing some afternoon shade is beneficial in extremely hot summer locations.
Conclusion
The enduring fragrance and architectural height make Nicotiana sylvestris an outstanding choice for adding drama to summer and fall gardens. Whether used for its showy, strongly fragrant white flowers or its coarse, handsome foliage, this Tobacco plant offers significant aesthetic returns for low maintenance effort. Ensure you check your local hardiness zone compatibility before planning your planting schedule this spring.
Wildlife Benefits
The structure of the flowers on Nicotiana sylvestris is perfectly adapted to attract specific wildlife visitors. The long, tubular shape of the white blossoms is particularly favored by hummingbirds attempting to reach the nectar deep within the flower base. Furthermore, the strong fragrance not only delights human noses but also acts as a potent lure for various nocturnal and diurnal moths and butterflies looking actively for late-season nectar sources.
Planting groups of these fragrant beauties near outdoor seating areas ensures you utilize their strongest asset while maximizing your chances of enjoying close-up views of these visiting pollinators throughout the growing season.
Companion Planting
When integrating this tall specimen into your landscape, consider companions that complement its texture and height requirements without competing for light or deep moisture. Low-growing annuals that prefer similar sun and soil conditions work well at the base. Good partners include creeping zinnias (Zinnia angustifolia) or sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) kept pruned so they do not overwhelm the Tobacco plant’s significant basal foliage.
Avoid planting Nicotiana sylvestris immediately adjacent to annual herbs or vegetables from the nightshade family. This cultural recommendation minimizes the risk of viral cross-contamination, ensuring the health of both your ornamental Nicotiana and your edible crops.
