How far apart should I plant Nicotiana?

Plant Nicotiana 30cm apart with nullcm between rows.

When does Nicotiana flower?

Nicotiana typically flowers approximately 45 days after transplanting.

Is Nicotiana frost hardy?

Nicotiana is classified as Half Hardy.

How to Grow Nicotiana

Nicotiana alata

Half Hardy Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Sow indoors 6 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 10°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds

Germination ~14d

Flowering ~84d

Sow seeds

Germination ~14d

Flowering ~84d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks from planting out. They are hungry plants and respond well to regular feeding.
Nicotianas are grown for their evening fragrance — the tubular flowers release an intoxicating scent at dusk that attracts moths. The species N. alata and N. sylvestris are the most fragrant; modern compact bedding types have often lost their scent. N. sylvestris is a magnificent architectural plant reaching 1.5m with drooping white trumpets. The sticky, hairy leaves are a distinctive feature. They tolerate partial shade and are excellent for filling gaps in borders.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing	30 cm
Row spacing	null cm
Mature height	90 cm
Mature spread	30 cm

Space 25-40 cm apart depending on variety. Taller types like N. sylvestris need 40 cm; compact bedding types 25 cm.

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Care Guide

Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks from planting out. They are hungry plants and respond well to regular feeding.
Watch for: Aphids on shoot tips and flower buds
Slugs on young plants
Tobacco mosaic virus (rare in ornamental types)

Pests & Diseases

Pest Aphids

Identification: Clusters of small green insects on growing tips and flower buds, causing distorted growth

Organic treatment:

Blast off with a strong jet of water
Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide

Chemical treatment:

Spray with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin

Pest Slugs and Snails

Identification: Irregular holes in leaves and stems; slime trails around plants

Organic treatment:

Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around transplants
Use copper tape around containers

Chemical treatment:

Ferric phosphate-based pellets

Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea

Symptoms: Fuzzy grey mould on flowers and leaves, especially in cool, damp conditions

Treatment: Remove affected parts promptly. Improve air circulation.

Prevention: Space plants well. Avoid overhead watering. Remove dead flowers regularly.

Disease Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves late in the season

Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves. Rarely worth treating as it appears late.

Prevention: Space plants well for good airflow. Avoid drought stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Nicotiana?: Plant Nicotiana 30cm apart with nullcm between rows.
When does Nicotiana flower?: Nicotiana typically flowers approximately 45 days after transplanting.
Is Nicotiana frost hardy?: Nicotiana is classified as Half Hardy.

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