flowering tobacco

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) should be watered whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Water thoroughly during hot, dry weather and reduce the frequency when the weather is cooler or wetter. Pay attention to the condition of the leaves and water when the top leaves start to look wilted or yellow. Make sure not to saturate the soil, as too much water can cause root rot. Generally, you can water your plant about twice per week, though this may need to be adjusted depending on the weather in your area.

Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) needs full sun for optimum growth and flowering. Ideal conditions include 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day and temperatures between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, in warm climates, partial shade during the hottest part of the day is necessary to help protect the plant from excessive heat. Too much or too little sun can cause the leaves to yellow and cause the flowers to become less vibrant or not bloom at all.

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) should be pruned to encourage continued flowering and to maintain a compact overall shape and size. Pruning should be done just after the plant has finished flowering in late summer, around August or September. This should be a light pruning - remove dead flower heads and spent stalks and thin out any overcrowded areas. Pruning too deeply or late in autumn can encourage leggy growth as the plant attempts to grow new leaves in the spring. It is best to never remove more than 1 third of the growth of the plant at any given time.