1 named cultivar

‘Only the Lonely’Only the Lonely Tobacco

annual

Woodland Tobacco

The Story

Plant Bio

Nicotiana sylvestris, woodland tobacco, is an erect annual from Argentina, three to five feet high and about eighteen inches across. Coarse spatulate leaves up to fifteen inches long form a bold basal rosette, and clusters of long white tubular flowers hang like shooting stars from June until the first frost.

The scent arrives at dusk and carries a long way, which is why NCSU lists it for a nighttime garden alongside the moths that pollinate it. The flowers hang rather than face outward, so the plant reads as a fountain of white in low light. It self-sows freely once established, returning year after year without being replanted.

Uses & Benefits:

Hanging white tubular flowers above bold coarse foliage, from midsummer to frost.

Self-sows reliably, so one planting usually keeps itself going without replanting.

Hummingbirds, butterflies and night-flying moths all work the flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Annual

Height

60 inches

Width

19 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

Argentina

Toxicity

All parts toxic if eaten

Planting

How to Grow

Sow in warmth in early spring; the seed needs light.
Plant out after frost in full sun or partial shade.
Give it drained soil and shelter from wind.
Water in dry spells; the big leaves wilt fast.
Site it where evening scent will carry.
Let some seed drop for next year's plants.

Pro Tip

Leave the last flower spikes to seed — it self-sows reliably, and volunteers flower earlier than anything you sow yourself.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Sow onto the surface; seed needs light 🌱
Site it where evening scent carries 👃
Water in dry spells 💧
Let some seed drop 🌾

Don't

Bury the seed ❌
Plant it in a windy spot ❌
Let anyone eat any part of it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Sow

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evening and nighttime scented gardenBack of a cottage borderBold container and patio planting

Companion Plants

Cosmos Cleome Verbena Bonariensis Dahlia Salvia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Woodland Tobacco questions

What zones can Woodland Tobacco grow in?

Woodland Tobacco is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Woodland Tobacco deer resistant?

Yes — Woodland Tobacco is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Woodland Tobacco bloom?

Woodland Tobacco typically blooms in summer to frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Woodland Tobacco need full sun?

Woodland Tobacco does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Woodland Tobacco drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Woodland Tobacco handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.