Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Nicotiana tabacum or Tobacco plant

The genus Nicotiana, family Solanaceae, made up of about 60 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs native to America, Australia and Africa. Some species are: Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana glauca, Nicotiana alata, Nicotiana suaveolens, Nicotiana longiflora, Nicotiana tomentosa, Nicotiana noctiflora.

Common name: Tobacco plant, Cultivated tobacco. This species is native to the Caribbean.

They are annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous plants that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The large leaves are ovate or lanceolate and pale green. The tubular flowers are yellowish-green or pink. They bloom in early summer. The fruits are ovoid capsules.

Tobacco plant is used for the production of tobacco but in gardens they can be used in small groups, next to walls and as isolated specimens. All its parts are toxic by ingestion.

Nicotiana tabacum needs full sun or semi-shade exposures. It resists frost down to -5 ºC (23 ºF).

The soil can be normal, well-drained garden soil that contains plenty of organic matter; Cultivated tobacco also grows in clay soils.

Water regularly so that the substrate never dries out completely; Nicotiana tabacum does not resist drought or flooding.

Fertilize in early spring with compost or manure and mineral fertilizer every 30 days in spring and summer.

Tobacco plant does not need pruning.

Nicotiana tabacum is a quite resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to intense cold.

Cultivated tobacco is propagated from seeds sown in early spring.

Images of the plant Nicotiana tabacum or Tobacco plant