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Nicotiana glauca

tree tobacco

Solanaceae Southern South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Nicotiana glauca is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree in the nightshade family, reaching 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) tall on slender, sparsely branched stems. Unlike most tobaccos it is hairless, with smooth, rubbery blue-green leaves 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) long carried on long stalks, giving the plant a waxy, gray-green look. From late spring into fall it produces drooping clusters of tubular yellow flowers about 1.2-1.8 inches (3-4.5 cm) long, each a narrow trumpet with a small five-lobed mouth. The flowers are pollinated mainly by hummingbirds and long-tongued insects drawn to the nectar. Small capsules follow, splitting to release large numbers of tiny seeds. Nicotiana glauca grows quickly on disturbed, dry ground and colonizes roadsides, washes, vacant lots, and stream banks. All parts contain the alkaloid anabasine and are highly poisonous to people and livestock if eaten. Native to South America, it is naturalized as an invasive weed across the warmer parts of North America, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Australia.

Native Range

Nicotiana glauca is native to southern South America, mainly Argentina and Bolivia. It has naturalized as an invasive weed in warm regions worldwide, including the southwestern United States, the Mediterranean, and Australia.

Suggested Uses

Sometimes grown in dry and desert gardens for its long bloom and hummingbird flowers, though its weediness and toxicity limit wider use. In its naturalized range it is more often managed as an invasive plant than cultivated. Where grown, it is set in open, sunny ground away from livestock and play areas and kept clear of natural washes where it can escape.

How to Identify

Recognized by its tall, open form, hairless blue-green leaves on long stalks, and drooping clusters of narrow tubular yellow flowers 1.2-1.8 inches (3-4.5 cm) long. The smooth, waxy, gray-green foliage separates it from the hairy, white- or pink-flowered tobaccos. Stems are soft and break easily.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 20'

Width/Spread5' - 10'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

blue green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~28 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering runs over a long season, from spring into late fall and nearly year-round in frost-free areas. The yellow tubular flowers open in hanging clusters at the branch tips. Hummingbirds visit them steadily through the warm months.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun on dry, well-drained soil, where this drought-tolerant species grows fast with no special care. It tolerates poor, sandy, and rocky ground and needs little or no water once established. Excess water and rich soil push soft, weak growth. The plant self-seeds heavily and can spread aggressively, so seedlings are pulled where it is not wanted. It is killed back by hard frost but resprouts from the base in zone 8 and warmer. All parts are highly poisonous to people and livestock if eaten.

Pruning

The soft, brittle stems can be cut back hard to control height and bring on bushier growth. Spent flower clusters and developing seed pods are removed to limit prolific self-seeding. Frost-killed top growth is cut to the base in spring, where the roots survive.