Family: Solanaceae

Named for Jean Nicot, a French consul in Portugal, who introduced the tobacco plant to Portugal and France in the 16th century, this genus consists of around 70 species of annuals and perennials, native to tropical and North America and Australia. The genus includes both commercial tobacco species, as well as a number of tall-growing ornamentals. Many of the species produce sprays of long-tubed flowers which open only at night to emit their fragrance, while the newer strains offer flowers which remain open but have little perfume. The summer flowers may be white, pink, crimson, wine or scarlet.

Species

N. alata (Synonym: N. affinis) is a perennial, often grown as an annual. The cream flowers are fragrant at night. This species grows to about 1.5 m (5 ft).

N. langsdorffii is a popular, annual species. It is a strong grower to 1.5 m (5 ft) and is sticky, with a branching habit of growth. In summer, it bears clusters of pendulous, tubular, pale green flowers. Also with green flowers, yellow-green this time, is the popular annual,

N. 'Lime Green', which is much used for summer bedding. The most popular nicotianas for summer bedding are cultivars of the annual N. x sanderae. These come in many colours and attain 30-45 cm (12-18 in) in height. Among the best known are the Domino Series and the Nicki Series.

N. suaveolens grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with white flowers, purplish green on the outside.

N. sylvestris grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with fragrant, white flowers.

N. tabacum is the most commonly cultivated commercial tobacco plant. It grows to 2 m (6 ft) high, with very large, hairy leaves and inconspicuous, pink flowers.

Cultivation

These plants will grow in any average garden soil but prefer full sunlight. They are frost sensitive. Propagate from seed sown in spring in seed boxes. When transplanting, allow around 15 cm (6 in) between seedlings.

Climate

Zone 9 or 10, but grown as summer annuals in all climatic zones.