How to grow Nicotiana (Lime Green)

Nicotiana alata

🌸 Flower 🌱 Grown each year

Starry, lime-green tobacco flowers from July to the frosts, with a gentle evening scent. Looks great with every colour.

At a glance: Sow early February to early March.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early February – early March · 10 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in trays or modules of seed compost on a warm windowsill or in a propagator. Surface-sow the dust-fine seed and keep at 20°C.
10–21 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid February – late February
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 10–21 days. Keep the soil moist. If sown outdoors, thin them to 30 cm apart once they have two true leaves.
14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late February – early March
Pot On Seedlings
When seedlings have two true leaves, move each into its own small pot or module, holding them by a leaf, not the stem.
Late April · 11 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day and bring them in at night for 7–10 days so they get used to outdoor conditions.
Early May – early June · 3 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 30 cm apart once frosts are over. Water in well.
79–109 days after “Check Germination” · Early May – early June
First Flowers — Deadhead Regularly
Snip off faded flowers every few days to keep new ones coming for months. Take a photo for your journal!
Mid October – early November · around the first autumn frost
Clear or Collect Seed
When frost blackens the plants, pull them up for the compost heap. Leave a few seedheads first if you want to save seed.