Tobacco in Zone 4a & 4b
Nicotiana tabacum
Yes, tobacco grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Mar 27 and plant out May 29–Jun 5.
When to plant 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 | Mar 20–Mar 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 29–Jun 5 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 26–Oct 3 (~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 4b
These go outside within two weeks of tobacco in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 29–Jun 5
- RosemaryMay 29–Jun 5
- BorageMay 15–May 22
- SageMay 29–Jun 5
- Za'atar OreganoMay 29–Jun 5
- CatmintMay 22–May 29
Nicotiana tabacum is the commercial tobacco species, and growing it at home raises three separate issues worth knowing.
How tobacco fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Tobacco needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
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 | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Oct 11–Oct 18 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | 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 | 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 →
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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)
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Growing Tobacco in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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