Saratoga Lime, Nicotiana Seed

Saratoga Lime Flowering Tobacco Seed

Lime-green bells add electric color to garden palettes
Fresh green foliage supports elegant cutting stems
Cutting back regularly encourages continuous fragrant blooms
A distinctive filler for casual homegrown bouquets

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Nicotiana × alata

Days to maturity

70 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

50 Seeds

About Saratoga Lime, Flowering Tobacco Seed, Flowering Tobacco Seed

Beautiful lime bell-shaped blossoms on bright green foliage. 12-18" stems add movement and interest to arrangements. If cut back regularly these flowers will bloom continuously. A 5-7 day vase life once cut so these do best in casual bouquets or home cutting gardens. Also a favorite for hummingbirds in pollinator gardens. Also known as flowering tobacco.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

200,000

Color

Green

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Flowering tobacco favors a warm site with sun to light shade, fertile soil, steady moisture, and good airflow. Clear weeds and mix finished compost into the bed. Prepare a fine surface for the tiny, light-responsive seed, which should not be buried deeply.

Planting

Start flowering tobacco indoors 4–10 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow after frost where the season is long. Keep the medium warm and evenly moist until emergence, then provide strong light and airflow. Harden seedlings gradually before transplanting into warm soil. Space flowering tobacco 12–18 inches apart.

Watering

Water flowering tobacco deeply whenever rainfall is insufficient, maintaining steady moisture through flowering. Ensure drainage is free and direct irrigation toward the soil rather than the leaves.

Fertilizer

Feed flowering tobacco lightly after establishment with a balanced fertilizer. Repeat only if flowering or growth weakens; rich nitrogen feeding causes soft stems and delayed blooms.

Harvesting

Flowering Tobacco flowers are ready when stems are firm and blooms show mature color without fading. Cut during cool, dry conditions; for seed, leave selected heads until brown and dry.

Tips

Deadhead flowering tobacco for continued bloom, or leave selected capsules when saving seed. The plant contains nicotine-related compounds and is toxic if ingested, so keep it away from children and pets.

Pests & Diseases

Tobacco mosaic virus, blue mold, damping-off, and root rots affect flowering tobacco. Mosaic, puckering, or distorted growth cannot be cured. Remove affected plants, wash hands after handling tobacco products, disinfect tools, and control weeds and thrips that maintain viruses. Keep seedling trays clean and well drained.

Flowering Tobacco can attract aphids, thrips, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and slugs. Scout flowers and new growth regularly, handpick when practical, and protect beneficial insects with targeted controls.