Description
Nicotiana glauca | Tree Tobacco
There are over 65 species of Tobacco that hail from Australia, North America, and tropical South America. They are attractive plants with beautiful flowers and appealing foliage. All of them have tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers that come in nearly every color and most often open during the evening and and nighttime hours, sometimes releasing a pleasant fragrance. They can be used as specimen or bedding plants, in borders, woodland gardens, in containers, or for planting in masses or even as a focal point.
Tree tobacco, also known as blue-green tobacco, is an annual in colder zones, but is a perennial shrub or small tree that can grow up to 25 ft tall in southern zones! In a container or in cooler zones it will reach 6-8 ft tall. Originally from Argentina and Bolivia, it is now found in the southern coastal states of AL, CA, FL, GA, TX and inland states in AZ, MD, OH and in HI. It is also native throughout all of Baja California and Mexico. Preferred habitat is along streams, ditches, washes, open disturbed flats, and slopes. Is often used for adding height, texture, and foliage color to a border or a large container.
Nicotiana glauca has smooth, blue-green foliage and clusters of tubular, yellow blooms from midsummer to frost.
Grows best in average, well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Best to start seeds indoors then transplant outside.
Attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Deer resistant.
Type: Annual or perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 6-25 ft
Mature width: 3-8 ft
Hardiness zones: 9-12
Please note: All tobaccos should be considered poisonous to consume (smoking brings its own risks); some are extremely poisonous and have caused fatalities. Poisoning through intentional or accidental misuse of nicotine and products containing it is a relatively common occurrence. Related species may contain other toxic alkaloids, chemically similar to nicotine, so it is for this reason we suggest that you enjoy Nicotiana glauca and other ornamental species of tobacco for their flowers only. Do NOT smoke these leaves.