Jasmine tobacco

Jasmine tobacco: how do you recognise it?

Habit

A rosette of large leaves with loose, branching flower stems up to 80 cm above it; about 30 cm wide.

Leaves

Large, oval to spoon-shaped, up to 25 cm at the base and smaller higher up; softly hairy and sticky.

Flower

A long, narrow tube of 5–10 cm opening into a flat, five-lobed star, from June to October.

Scent

Sweet and jasmine-like, mainly in the evening and at night. In bright sun the flowers of the species half close during the day.

Fruit

A small capsule full of dust-fine seed.

Flowering: June–October · Sowing: March–April · Plants: May–June

Why grow it?

• One of the best scented plants for summer evenings on the terrace.
• Flowers from June to October, even in partial shade.
• Night-flying moths such as hawk-moths visit the long tubular flowers in the evening.
• Adds height and airiness among lower summer flowers.
• White and green flowers glow at dusk: lovely in a white garden or evening garden.

Jasmine tobacco: where does it grow best?

• Sun or partial shade; in partial shade the flowers stay open longer during the day.
• Rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil: sand, loam or clay, acid to neutral.
• Evenly moist; in dry weather the leaves droop.
• Sheltered from strong wind, as the tall stems snap easily.
• Plant 30 cm apart, preferably close to a seating area so you can enjoy the scent.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Frost tender: plant out after the last frost (mid-May)

Goes well with

• Purpletop vervain: Airy purple flowers at the same height, also a magnet for butterflies.
• Spider flower: Tall, spidery pink and white flowers for a summery border.
• Cosmos: A light, airy annual that flowers just as long.
• Hosta: Large leaves at the base in a partly shaded spot.

Jasmine tobacco: when and how to plant it?

Plant in May–June.

1. Sow indoors in March–April at 18–21 °C. Scatter the dust-fine seed on moist compost and do not cover it: it needs light to germinate.
2. Prick out the seedlings into small pots once they have two true leaves.
3. Harden the plants off outdoors for a week in May and plant out after mid-May, when the nights are mild.
4. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, 30 cm apart, and firm well.
5. Water in well and spread a layer of compost around the plants.

Care

Water

Water in dry spells, especially in pots. It tolerates neither drying out nor waterlogging.

Feeding

Compost at planting. In pots, give liquid feed every two weeks.

Support

In a windy spot, put a cane or a few twigs beside the tallest stems.

Deadheading

Cut faded flower stems back to a side shoot: new buds will follow.

Gloves

Wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands afterwards: the leaves are sticky and poisonous.

Tip: Put jasmine tobacco where you sit in the evening, by the terrace or under an open window: you smell little during the day, but after sunset the scent is strong.

Jasmine tobacco: when to prune it?

When: This annual needs no pruning. Do remove faded flower stems from July to October.

How:

• Cut off faded flowers or whole spent stems just above a side shoot or leaf.
• In September, let a few flowers set seed if you want it to self-sow.
• Wear gloves: the sap and sticky hairs are poisonous.

Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed

Indoors in March–April at 18–21 °C, seed uncovered. It germinates in 1–3 weeks.

Self-sowing

After a warm summer it sometimes self-sows. In May, leave the seedlings where they are or move them carefully.

Jasmine tobacco: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to 0 °C: protect in harsh winters.

• Not hardy in Belgian gardens: it is grown as an annual.
• After the first night frost the plants die; clear them away wearing gloves.
• After a mild winter in a sheltered spot the rootstock sometimes sprouts again, but do not count on it.

Diseases and pests

• Aphids: On young shoots and under the leaves. Spray off with water; natural predators usually deal with them.
• Slugs: They eat young plants. Only plant out sturdy plants and collect slugs in the evening.
• Closed flowers: Normal for the species: the flowers half close in bright sun and open in the evening. For flowers that stay open by day, choose partial shade.
• Grey mould: Grey fluff on leaves and flowers in wet weather. Space the plants and cut off affected parts.

Through the year

• March: Sow indoors, seed uncovered.
• April: Sow more. Prick out seedlings.
• May: Harden off. Plant out after mid-May.
• June: First flowers. Water in dry spells.
• July: Remove faded flower stems. Support plants in windy spots.
• August: In full flower. Enjoy the evening scent.
• September: In flower. Let some seed ripen if you wish.
• October: Last flowers until the first frost.
• November: Clear away dead plants, wearing gloves.

Edible and useful

Not edible. All parts of flowering tobacco are poisonous: they contain nicotine and related alkaloids, like real tobacco. Swallowing any causes nausea, vomiting, drooling and dizziness, and in larger amounts a fast heartbeat, trembling and breathing problems; young children and dogs are the most sensitive. Do not smoke or dry the leaves, and do not make tea or a homemade insecticide from them: nicotine also passes through the skin, and such preparations are not allowed in the vegetable garden. Keep children and pets away from the plant, wear gloves when working with it and wash your hands afterwards. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Good for wildlife

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• The long flower tube is adapted to moths such as hawk-moths: only a long tongue can reach the nectar deep inside.
• Jasmine tobacco belongs to the nightshade family, like tomato, potato and petunia.
• The seed is so fine that a single gram contains thousands of seeds.