Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in Zone 4a & 4b
Nicotiana alata
Yes, nicotiana (flowering tobacco) grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 10 and plant out May 22–May 29.
When to plant nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b 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 | Apr 3–Apr 10 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 22–May 29 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 5–Aug 12 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 22–May 29
- MarigoldMay 22–May 29
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 22–May 29
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 22–May 29
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 22–May 29
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 22–May 29
Nicotiana is an ornamental relative of cultivated tobacco, grown for trumpet-shaped flowers with a fragrance that gets noticeably stronger in the evening, making it a good choice near a porch or patio where people sit after dark.
How nicotiana (flowering tobacco) fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) needs about 75 days from transplant to first bloom.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 27–Jun 3 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Aug 20–Aug 27 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 1–Jul 8 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 8–May 15 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 22–Apr 29 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Mar 24–Mar 31 |
Bloom dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for nicotiana (flowering tobacco).
Where to buy nicotiana seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's nicotiana seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Bronze Queen' nicotiana (best for unusual color): Johnny's Selected Seeds lists this as a unique chocolate-colored selection, a distinct option from the typical white or pink nicotiana shades. Buy: Botanical Interests Full notes
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 nicotiana (flowering tobacco)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%204b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest