flowering tobacco

Nicotiana alata

AnnualSolanaceae

RHS Plants for Pollinators

flowering tobacco
Drought tolerantFragrant
USDA zones10 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size3 to 5 feet tall12 to 24 inches wide
Bloom season
Summer, autumn
Bloom color
Yellow-green to white, pink and red
Foliage color
Green

Garden uses

BorderContainerLow maintenancePollinator gardenRock garden

Attracts

ButterfliesBeesBirds

Notes

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) is an annual for borders, pollinator gardens, and containers. Frost will kill it, so set it out only after the last frost in spring. This plant likes full or part sun and average to moist soil. It grows 36 to 60 inches tall and its fragrant blooms open in yellow-green, white, pink, and red. Butterflies, bees, and birds visit the flowers.

Pairs well with Blood flower, Sweet potato vine, and Sedge.

Native range

South America.