How to grow nicotiana from seed
Learn how to grow fragrant nicotiana from seed, in our step-by-step guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Its Best | yes | yes | yes | |||||||||
| To Do | yes | yes |
For the price of a few packets of seed, half-hardy annuals, such as tobacco plant (Nicotiana), can be sown in March ready to flower in summer. Start your half-hardy annuals in the greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill, then acclimatise them to life outdoors before planting out in their final position.
You Will Need
- Seed tray or small pots
- Seed compost
- Vermiculite or fine grit
- A propagator or plastic bag
- 7cm pots
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Cold frame
Step 1
Fill a tray with seed compost, then sow a tiny pinch of seeds in each cell. Cover with a vermiculite, water and place the tray in a propagator in a warm spot such as a windowsill.
Step 2
Once seeds have germinated, wait until two pairs of leaves form. Then, holding each seedling by its leaves and not its stem, transplant each one individually into a 7cm pot filled with sieved multipurpose compost.
Step 3
Water seedlings well after transplanting and keep the pots in a warm, bright place. Avoid exposure to bright sunlight, which can scorch the young leaves.
Step 4
When all risk of frost has passed, move the plants to a cold frame or patio, bringing them in at night. After a week you can plant them outside.