Tobacco is primarily used today for the production of cigarettes, cigars, and snus. However, this plant also has many other beneficial properties, such as wound healing. Are you thinking of growing it? Planting and caring for tobacco is not too difficult. You just need to follow a few basic rules. 

What is Tobacco?

Tobacco refers to several plants from the genus Nicotiana, which belong to the Solanaceae family, known as the nightshade family. These plants are characterized by the presence of alkaloids, and nearly all of them are poisonous. 

It is important to highlight the word “nearly” because some Solanaceae plants are crucial to the food industry, such as tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and Nicotiana tabacum.

Plants in the nightshade family, which are not poisonous, contain alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine, or hyoscyamine, which are essential for the pharmaceutical industry

Most plants from the Solanaceae family, including tobacco, have simple leaves and either solitary or five-petaled flowers, or you may notice them in clusters. 

Currently, more than 70 species of tobacco are known. The most common commercial crop used for making smoking and smokeless products like cigarettes, vape, or snus is Nicotiana tabacum, and in some countries, Nicotiana rustica.

How to Grow Tobacco? It All Starts with Proper Seed Storage

If you are wondering how to grow tobacco, the key is quality seeds that, with proper planting and care, will develop into plants.

If you don’t plan to plant the seeds immediately after purchasing, store them in a cool, dry, and dark place. They can last for several years there. Experts agree that properly stored seeds can be used even after five years, though their quality may decrease, and some may not sprout.  

Generally, it is best to use the seeds immediately or soon after buying them. Avoid waiting too long and only buy as many seeds as you plan to plant.  

Growing in Seedlings

Growing tobacco starts by planting the seeds in smaller containers or seedlings, from which the plants are later transferred outdoors. This step is crucial, as the seeds are very small and sensitive to low temperatures.  

Tobacco seeds should be sown on the surface of the soil, as they need light. You can gently press the seeds down but avoid traditional watering. Instead, mist the soil with a spray bottle.  

Growing in seedling usually takes 50 to 60 days. This period may be longer if the outdoor temperature doesn’t reach the required minimum of 18 °C. At the same time, there should be no risk of unexpected frost.

Transplant tobacco in the evening when the sunlight is not too strong, to avoid burning the leaves or causing the plant shock. After transplating, water the plants regularly, ideally every day.

The Right Environment

While tobacco seeds need a cool and dark environment, the plant itself loves sunny and warm locations. When choosing a spot in the garden, make sure it is exposed to sunlight all day and that there is no shade.  

In addition to sunlight, the soil itself is also crucial. It must be well-drained to prevent water from staying too long. Otherwise, the plant growth can be inhibited, or the plant can even die. 

Spacing Tobacco Plants

To ensure successful growth, maintain proper spacing between the plants and rows:  

  • Row spacing – 90 to 120cm.
  • Spacing between plants – 60 to 70cm.

Watering, Soil, and Fertilizer

The soil for mature tobacco plants must be well-drained and rich in phosphorus, with a pH between 5.8 and 6.2. If the soil seems lacking in nutrients, add compost, which you can easily make at home. 

There is no need for excessive watering of the mature plants. Tobacco plants need deep watering only once a week. Drip irrigation is ideal, as it delivers water directly to the roots. If you water traditionally with a hose or watering can), make sure not to wet the leaves, as they may rot.  

During summer, it is best to water tobacco in the late evening, as the water will evaporate less quickly and penetrate deeper into the soil.  

Pests and Diseases

Tobacco can suffer from several diseases that can infect it regardless your effort to avoid them. The most common problems are blue mold, root rot, and leaf spots. Aphids and other small insects that feed on the plant’s sap may also appear, leading to deformed leaves, yellowing, and weakened growth.  

The most effective way to combat pests and diseases is through chemical sprays. You can find them in gardening stores. Always read the instructions carefully before using them to avoid causing more harm than good.   

Harvesting Tobacco

You will know it’s time to harvest tobacco based on a few details, mainly the colour. Mature tobacco leaves change from dark green to light green and yellowish, signalling that they are ripe.

Additionally, check the texture of the leaves. When ripe, they become firmer, thicker, and more elastic. They also tend to be greasy or sticky due to a higher resin content.  

Harvesting itself is simple. Either cut the entire plant with a knife or gradually pick off the leaves. Be careful, as tobacco matures gradually – some leaves may be ready for harvest, while others need several more days or weeks.  

Drying Tobacco

How you dry the tobacco leaves is up to you. There are four methods:

  • Air drying – the simplest and most traditional method, but it is also the longest, usually taking several weeks. Hang the leaves in a well-ventilated room, ideally on a table covered in paper. Eventually, you can hang them on a string or rope.
  • Smoke drying – laves are dried near an open fire that constantly burns and creates a lot of smoke, giving the tobacco an intense flavour. This process takes several days to weeks, and it is characterized by giving more intense flavour to tobacco. 
  • Fire drying – similar to smoke drying, but the leaves are exposed to higher heat without as much smoke. 
  • Sun drying – leaves are dried in a place with a lot of sunlight. A process of drying can take several weeks depending on the intensity of the sunlight and air humidity. 

Benefits of Tobacco

Dried tobacco leaves are commonly used to make cigarettes, snus, and other tobacco products. However, the plant has numerous other benefits. Tobacco can absorb moisture from wounds, stop bleeding, and soothe insect bites (such as from bees or mosquitoes). In the past, tea made from its leaves was used to treat headaches or dizziness.