Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in Zone 8a & 8b
Nicotiana alata
When to plant nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 11–Feb 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 15–Jun 22 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-3 ft.

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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) needs about 75 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco).
Where to buy nicotiana seeds
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 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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