How to Grow Nicotiana Alata or Lime Green

Nicotiana alata “Lime Green” is an annual cultivar of tobacco that produces lime green flowers and mixes well with other bedding annuals. The tubular flowers that emerge in June through October attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds and yield a pleasant fragrance in the afternoon and evening. The plants are open and airy, with large, sticky leaves similar to those of commercial tobacco. Lime Green, however, is an ornamental form of tobacco only. A hardy cultivar, it demands little effort from the grower, thriving in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 11.

Sand
Potting soil
Pots
Neem or horticultural oil

Instructions

- 1
  Mix seeds with sand and scatter the blend in rich, well-drained soil in a garden bed. Seeds need sunlight in order to germinate and should be planted after threat of frost is past. Keep soil evenly moist as seeds germinate. To start indoors, press seeds gently into the surface of potting soil in small pots four to eight weeks before the average last frost date. Keep soil evenly moist in a location with light, such as near a window. Germination results are best at a temperature range of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
  Plant seedlings directly in garden beds or in pots, in a location with full sun or filtered shade. Soil should be moist but well-draining. Place plants 12 to 14 inches apart and allow sufficient spacing for the upright plant to grow 2 to 3 feet tall.
- 3
  Provide moderate water to keep soil moist, but do not over-water as this species can suffer under overly wet conditions and may develop gray mold
- 4
  Protect the plant from gray mold, aphids and spider mites. Spray with a neem oil solution or horticultural oil to kill the pests. If mold has developed, allow soil to dry and make sure it is draining efficiently.

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