Nicotiana sylvestris
Garden Plant Information

Nicotiana sylvestris

 

Name

Nicotiana sylvestris (also called tobacco plant)

Genus  

Nicotiana

Species

sylvestris

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual, grown for white flowers which are scented at night. Attractive to night insects such as moths.

Season of interest

Flowers from July to September.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit – upright, sometimes slightly leaning.

  2. Stems – round, slightly hairy and sticky.

  3. Leaves – large, oval, mid-green, slightly sticky.

  4. Flowers – flared trumpet-shaped white flowers hang in clusters from the top of the stem. Sweetly scented at night.

Cultural details

Aspect

Sun to shade, prefers dappled shade.

Soil

Fertile, moist, well-drained.

Hardiness

Half hardy.

Maintenance

Keep soil moist and feed every two weeks in growing season. Has a tendency to droop in midday heat if planted in full sun. May survive very mild winters.

 

Popular with slugs and snails.

Propagation

Sow seed in March-April at around 18°C and plant out when frosts are over. May self-seed in mild years.