Tobacco in Zone 11a & 11b
Nicotiana tabacum
Yes, tobacco grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Nov 6–Nov 13 and plant out Jan 15–Jan 22.
When to plant tobacco in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Nov 6–Nov 13 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated harvest | May 15–May 22 (~120 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-10 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of tobacco in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilJan 15–Jan 22
- RosemaryJan 15–Jan 22
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Jan 8–Jan 15
- CuminJan 22–Jan 29
- LemongrassJan 8–Jan 15
- Mexican Mint MarigoldJan 8–Jan 15
Nicotiana tabacum is the commercial tobacco species, and growing it at home raises three separate issues worth knowing.
How tobacco fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Tobacco planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Oct 11–Oct 18 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 26–Oct 3 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | Sep 6–Sep 13 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 22–Aug 29 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Aug 6–Aug 13 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 5–Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Nov 6–Nov 13 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | May 15–May 22 |
Harvest dates are about 120 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for tobacco.
Where to buy tobacco seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's tobacco seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tobacco" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Tobacco in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest