How to Plant Flowering Nicotiana

Nicotiana, also called a flowering tobacco plant, has highly fragrant pink, rose, white and red flowers. These star-like 2-inch blooms have five large petals. The plants grow to a height of 24 inches, making them ideal for mass plantings to for vivid color. The intense fragrance attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Once established, nicotiana blooms profusely all summer and often self-seeds and produces new plants in the spring.

Things You'll Need

• Garden tools
• Compost/well-rotted manure
• High phosphorus fertilizer
• All-purpose fertilizer

Instructions

1. Plant nicotiana in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Select an area in full sun or partial shade. These hardy plants prefer the sun, but will thrive in areas that are shaded part of the day as long as they receive three or more hours of direct sunlight.

2. Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Remove any rocks or debris. Add generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and to add nutrients to the soil. Work the organic matter in well with the existing soil.

3. Create a hole twice as wide as the nicotiana root ball. Place the seedling in the hole and firm the soil around the base of the plant with your hands. Water thoroughly and watch closely for any signs of wilting in the first few days. Keep soil moist.

4. Water regularly once seedlings are established to keep the soil evenly moist. Although allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering is fine, nicotiana thrives in rich, moist soil.

5. Apply fertilizer high in phosphorus prior to the first blooming to encourage large brightly colored blooms. Fertilize with all-purpose fertilizer once a month until frost.

6. Deadhead spent blooms on a regular basis to encourage blooming. Pinch or trim back nicotiana plants once the first flush of blooms has ceased or slowed. If trimmed after blooming, nicotiana will bloom repeatedly until frost.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant in masses to create a dramatic display of color in flowerbeds. Plant beneath open windows or in window boxes. The fragrance will waft into the home through the open window.

• Nicotiana leaves are rough and sticky. Use care when trimming or mowing near nicotiana, as it can be difficult to remove debris from its leaves.

Resources

• Gorwth and Care Nicotiana