Tobacco in Zone 5a & 5b
Nicotiana tabacum
Yes, tobacco grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 15–Mar 22 and plant out May 24–May 31.
When to plant 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 15–Mar 22 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 24–May 31 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 21–Sep 28 (~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 5b
These go outside within two weeks of tobacco in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- BorageMay 10–May 17
- SageMay 24–May 31
- Za'atar OreganoMay 24–May 31
- CatmintMay 17–May 24
Nicotiana tabacum is the commercial tobacco species, and growing it at home raises three separate issues worth knowing.
How tobacco fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Tobacco needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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