Nicotiana alata. This flowering tobacco stands regally in the garden at 1-1.5m (3-5') tall, with a cascading head of pure white, tubular flowers that attract moths and hummingbirds. It looks splendid among other tall flowering plants such as Agastache and foxgloves. Grow Jasmine Tobacco Nicotiana seeds in a warm spot in your garden, in full sun. Pollinated by moths, this Nicotiana's flowers become particularly fragrant after dusk, so plant some near a window and let the scent waft in during summer.

Annual

Exposure Full-sun to partial sun - prefers a warm spot

Difficulty Easy

Timing

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors any time after the risk of frost has passed. Transplant after last frost.

Starting

Sprinkle seeds on the surface of the soil, and keep moist until germination in 10-20 days.

Growing

Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead regularly to maintain a neat appearance and encourage further blooming. Stake in windy, exposed gardens. Remove any growth that comes under attack by aphids, or dislodge them with a blast from the hose.

Avoid handling tomato or pepper plants after handling Nicotiana, as it can harbour tobacco mosaic virus. Do not share gardening tools between these plants either.

How to Grow Nicotiana

Step 1

Timing

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors any time after the risk of frost has passed. Transplant after last frost.

Step 2

Starting

Sprinkle seeds on the surface of the soil, and keep moist until germination in 10-20 days.

Step 3

Growing

Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead regularly to maintain a neat appearance and encourage further blooming. Stake in windy, exposed gardens. Remove any growth that comes under attack by aphids, or dislodge them with a blast from the hose.