NICOTIANA CLEVELANDII SEEDS

Nicotiana clevelandii

This pretty little annual tobacco is native to the dry southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Closely related to N. quadrivalis and used similarly, this species is a smoking tobacco with lightly fragrant tubular white flowers. Also used medicinally by the Chumash and other California tribes, most often as a poultice to clean and treat wounds.

These compact plants are incredibly tolerant of heat and drought and are obviously adapted to seasonally arid climates. Though not so floriferous as N. alata, the plants do have sufficient charm to warrant growing among other short-statured herbs in a hot sunny bed. Too much moisture will cause the stems to flop and lay prostrate. Water sparingly once established.

Start these seeds indoors around 4-6 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Press the tiny seeds into moist soil, mist carefully, and cover with plastic. Kept warm and moist in bright light seeds will begin to germinate in a week or two. Uncover promptly once germination begins. Prick out seedlings to grow on in individual 2" cells or 3" pots in bright light at warm room temperature. Harden off before transplanting into warm sunny soil after all danger of frost has passed.

Contains nicotine, but much less than N. tabacum, and far less than N. rustica.

Grown by Farmacie Isolde.

Packet contains at least 100 seeds.