Tobacco, Jasmine tobacco, Nicotiana, Jasmine Tobacco, Ornamental Tobacco, Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Nicotiana alata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Not known
S. America - S. Brazil to N. Argentina. Locally naturalized in C. Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
All parts of the plant contain nicotine, this has been extracted and used as an insecticide. Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Specimen. Dynamic accumulator.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Prefers a well-drained deep rich moist soil in a sunny position. Hardy to about -5°c, this plant is usually grown as an annual in Britain, flowering well in its first year, but it does survive mild winters outdoors. A very ornamental plant, it has sweetly scented flowers that release most of their scent in the evening and attract moths. Plant requires more than 14 hours daylight per day to induce flowering. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a warm greenhouse about 10 weeks before the last expected spring frosts. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 20 days at 20°c. Keep the soil moist and pot up as soon as the plants are big enough to handle, planting them out after the last expected frosts.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant are poisonous.