Nicotiana sylvestris

Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana sylvestris
Type: Tender Perennials (usually grown as annuals)
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

Although a perennial, this one’s only winter hardy to [USDA] zone 10-11. Around here (zone 8) it’s grown as an annual.

Oblong, coarse-looking leaves that can get as large as 15in (38cm) long, form rosettes of foliage that can grow to 2ft (60cm) wide and 5ft (1.5m) tall. These leaves, as well as the stems, tend to be slightly sticky. Loose panicles of long (3in, 7.5cm or more), nodding, narrow white trumpets top the plant in summer through fall. These trumpets flare at the ends to form a five-pointed star, and are deliciously fragrant. They will sometimes close in full sun.

This is not the plant cultivated for tobacco; that one’s called Nicotiana tabacum. All parts of this one are toxic. Please don’t eat your Flowering Tobacco. Just sniff it.

Cheers,

John