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American 572 Tobacco is a tall, heritage open-pollinated variety that grows 36 to 60 inches high and matures in 70 to 80 days from transplant. This handsome cultivar produces broad, fragrant leaves renowned for drying and blending, carrying the reliable performance of a classic American-style tobacco that heirloom gardeners have valued for generations. Hardy in zones 10 through 11, it thrives in full sun and rewards patient growers with leaves perfect for personal use or creative projects.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
60in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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American 572 delivers the broad, fragrant leaves that serious tobacco growers seek, with a heritage pedigree and the proven reliability that comes from generations of open-pollinated seed saving. The tall, upright growth habit creates a striking silhouette in the garden, and its deer resistance means you won't lose your crop to browse. Maturity in 70 to 80 days is fast enough to fit most growing seasons, and the leaves dry beautifully for blending and storage.
American 572 is grown primarily for leaf production, with the broad leaves dried and prepared for blending, rolling, or other personal tobacco preparation methods. The fragrant character of the dried leaves makes this variety attractive to those interested in tobacco cultivation as a historical or artisanal practice.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds on the soil surface or barely press them into seed-starting mix, as tobacco seeds need light to germinate. Keep soil warm, around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain even moisture. Seedlings will emerge in 7 to 10 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.
Harvest leaves when they reach full size and develop a slightly waxy or bluish cast, typically 70 to 80 days after transplant. Pick individual leaves from the bottom of the plant upward as they mature, or harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base. Leaves intended for drying should be picked in the morning after dew dries but before the full heat of the day. Tie harvested leaves loosely in bundles and hang in a warm, dry location with good air circulation for curing.
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“American 572 represents the backbone of American tobacco cultivation, a heritage variety preserved through open-pollinated seed saving across generations of growers. As a non-GMO heirloom, it carries the genetic memory of farmers who selected and saved seeds from the best plants year after year, keeping this cultivar alive without commercial breeding programs or genetic modification. This variety embodies the tradition of American agricultural heritage, passed hand to hand through seed saving networks and heirloom gardening communities.”