Langsdorff's Tobacco is a striking heirloom flower that brings delicate charm and botanical intrigue to summer and fall gardens. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall with slender stems, it produces elegant tubular flowers that bloom from June through November in warm climates (zones 10-11). This frost-tender annual moves from seed to bloom in just 70 to 84 days, rewarding patient gardeners with flowers that attract pollinators while remaining resistant to deer browsing. Unlike heavy-feeding tobacco relatives, Langsdorff's Tobacco asks for moderate water and full sun, making it surprisingly easy to grow once you understand its light-dependent germination.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
36in H x 18in W
—
High
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The flowers of Langsdorff's Tobacco are a conversation piece, offering a sophisticated presence that most annual flowers cannot match. Blooming prolifically over five months in warm zones, it thrives on minimal fussing once established, requiring only moderate water and no special fertilization beyond basic compost incorporation. The combination of its extended bloom window, pollinator-attracting flowers, and deer-resistant foliage creates a plant that earns its space in both cutting gardens and ornamental beds without demanding constant attention.
Langsdorff's Tobacco is grown as a flowering ornamental, valued for its delicate blooms rather than any commercial or culinary purpose. The flowers are excellent for cutting and extend vase life with regular water changes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, keeping the germination medium at 60 to 75°F. Since Langsdorff's Tobacco requires light to germinate, surface sow without burying the seed; instead, sprinkle vermiculite lightly over the top or cover with a humidity dome to maintain moisture. Seeds typically sprout in 10 to 21 days with consistent warmth and humidity.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date once they have developed true leaves and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Space plants 1 inch apart in their final location. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date, pressing them gently into the soil surface without covering them, as they require light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs in 10 to 21 days.
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