About
A tender annual or short-lived perennial, to around 60cm high, with an upright habit, a woody base and slightly sticky stems. Basal leaves are spoon-shaped, often with wavy edges, and stem leaves are lance-shaped. Open clusters of perfumed, salverform flowers, with long tubes and flaring petals to 5cm across, are produced in summer and sometimes into autumn, in shades of red, pink, purple or white. These hybrids often open their flowers in full sun as well as in the evenings.
About the genus
Nicotiana can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves and tubular or salver-shaped, often fragrant flowers borne in racemes or panicles in summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, avoid skin contact. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, avoid skin contact. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun or part shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, surface sown at 18°C in mid spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse leafhopper
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and to virus diseases