Seeds · No. 03
Nicotiana
Nicotiana langsdorffii
Saved on Itty Island · Fall 2026 · West 24th St & 10th Ave ·
A flowering tobacco from Brazil. Tall, airy stems hang with hundreds of small, nodding lime-green bells tipped in blue pollen. It floats above the bed from midsummer to frost, and hummingbirds find it.
- Type
- Annual, self-sows
- Height
- 3–5 ft
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Blooms
- June to frost
- Flowers
- Lime-green bells
- Feeds
- Hummingbirds
- Good for
- Tree pits, containers, fill-in for gaps
When to sow nicotiana in NYC Start it early, indoors.
Timed for New York City. No chilling needed; it just wants warmth and light, and a head start before the weather turns warm.
Sow outdoors: May
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Start indoors: late February to March
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How to grow nicotiana from seed Five steps from dust to flowers.
Start early, indoors
Six to eight weeks before the last frost: late February through March in New York.
Don't cover it
The seed is dust-fine and needs light. Mix it with a pinch of sand, scatter over moist mix, and press in gently.
Warm, bright, bottom-watered
70–75°F. Water from below or mist so the seed doesn't wash away. Sprouts in 10 to 20 days.
Plant out when nights are warm
Harden seedlings off for a week, then plant out in early May. Or direct-sow on the soil surface in May.
Let a few go to seed
Leave some pods on in fall and it will often come back on its own next year.
Nicotiana is a tobacco relative, and every part of the plant is toxic if eaten. Keep seeds and plants away from kids and pets, and wash your hands after handling.
Please note
Questions Questions about growing nicotiana.
Is Nicotiana langsdorffii an annual or a perennial?
It's a tender perennial from South America, grown as an annual in New York. It often self-sows if you leave some pods.
Is Nicotiana langsdorffii fragrant?
Not much. Unlike some flowering tobaccos, it's grown for its lime-green bells, not scent.
Why didn't my nicotiana seeds sprout?
Usually because they were covered. The seed is dust-fine and needs light, so press it onto the surface and bottom-water.
Can nicotiana grow in a tree pit or container?
Yes. It's shallow-rooted and airy, so it fills gaps without crowding the tree. In a pot, use at least a 12-inch container and keep it watered.
Is nicotiana safe around pets?
No. Every part of the plant is toxic if eaten. Keep seeds and plants away from kids and pets.
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