African Tobacco Plant Care

African Tobacco (Nicotiana africana) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Nicotiana genus. African Tobacco is native to Namibia.

African Tobacco displays an upright, branching growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. African Tobacco produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Tobacco every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

African Tobacco thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Nicotiana africana tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. African Tobacco prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for African Tobacco to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Tobacco every 3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Tobacco is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

African Tobacco can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune African Tobacco while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

African Tobacco is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

African Tobacco can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nicotiana acaulis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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African Tobacco is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, tobacco hornworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

African Tobacco grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. African Tobacco is native to Namibia. In cooler regions, grow African Tobacco as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.