Also known as Flowering Tobacco · 13 gardener saves
Nicotiana: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Nicotiana, the genus most gardeners know as flowering tobacco. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Nicotiana varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCrimson Bedder Tobacco
Nicotiana alata x sanderae 'Crimson Bedder'
#2 most savedTree Tobacco
Nicotiana glauca 'Salta Blues'
#3 most savedFlowering Tobacco
Nicotiana mutabilis
Tree Tobacco
Nicotiana glauca
Only the Lonely Tobacco
Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely'
Deep Purple Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata 'Deep Purple'
Lime Green Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green'
Langsdorf's Tobacco
Nicotiana langsdorfii
How to grow Nicotiana
What the Nicotiana varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Nicotiana year
- DeadheadJune–September75% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to keep plant tidy and maximize bloom.
- FertilizeMay–August50% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during peak bloom.
- Check for PestsJune and July50% of varieties
Watch for large green caterpillars (tobacco hornworms) and handpick.
Do
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season
- Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist 💧
- Prune dead or damaged stems to encourage healthy growth ✂️
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not forget to deadhead spent flowers for continuous bloom
- Don't plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soil
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season to avoid legginess
What goes wrong with Nicotiana
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap organic spray |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Spray with strong water jet or apply miticide |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap or miticide |
| Whiteflies | White flying insects and yellowing leaves | Use insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting despite moist soil | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Nicotiana
cuttings
- Select healthy stems and cut 4–6 inches lengths.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Plant cuttings in potting mix, keep humid, and wait 4–6 weeks for roots.
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity for 4 weeks.
Nicotiana questions
How many types of Nicotiana are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Nicotiana varieties. The most popular — ranked by 13 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Nicotiana grow in?
Across its varieties, Nicotiana covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Nicotiana bloom?
Most Nicotiana varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer to fall, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Nicotiana should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Nicotiana shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Nicotiana in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
