Crop Rotation Group
Solanaceae (Potato and tomato family)
|
|
Soil
Average garden soil with excellent drainage.
|
Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
|
Frost tolerant
None. Nicotiana is a warm-natured flower.
|
Feeding
Fast growth is encouraged by mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertiliser to stimulate late-season blooming.
|
Companions
Upright nicotiana combines well with mound-forming flowers like portulaca or lobelia. Many varieties are fragrant.
|
Spacing
Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)
|
Sow and Plant
Set out stocky seedlings from spring to early summer, after the soil has warmed. When starting the tiny seeds indoors, barely cover them with moist seed-starting mix.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
|
Notes
Very tall varieties benefit from staking. Nicotiana colours include white, pink, red, purple, lime green and yellow.
|
Harvesting
As flowers fade, snip them off the flowering spikes with scissors to keep the plants looking neat.
|
Troubleshooting
Aphids and slugs can require management. Some people are sensitive to nicotiana leaf sap and should dress defensively when working around the plants.
|