Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in Zone 5a & 5b
Nicotiana alata
Yes, nicotiana (flowering tobacco) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 29–Apr 5 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 29–Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 31–Aug 7 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 17–May 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 17–May 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 17–May 24
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) needs about 75 days from transplant to first bloom.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | 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 →
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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 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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