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Catterton Tobacco is a classic Maryland-type heirloom that brings reliable harvests and striking appearance to any garden. This open-pollinated Nicotiana tabacum grows 36 to 60 inches tall and reaches maturity in just 60 to 69 days from transplant, making it efficient for both field and container cultivation. The plant produces large, smooth foliage with sharply pointed leaves that air-cure to a rich, reddish-brown, and it thrives in zones 10 and 11 where full sun exposure and warm conditions let it flourish. Deer steer clear of it naturally, and it resists Mosaic Virus, two advantages that make it a solid choice for gardeners seeking a dependable crop.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
60in H x ?in W
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High
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Catterton stands out for its compact efficiency and handsome leaf structure. The sharply pointed foliage is both visually distinctive and functionally superior, producing large, smooth leaves that cure beautifully to a deep reddish-brown. As an open-pollinated heirloom, it lets you save seed year after year, anchoring your garden in agricultural tradition while delivering consistent, quality yields in just two months from transplant.
Catterton Tobacco is grown for its dried leaf, which air-cures to a rich reddish-brown color suitable for traditional tobacco preparation and use. Gardeners cultivate it as both a functional crop and a living connection to American agricultural heritage, particularly those interested in heirloom seed saving and the skills of traditional leaf curing.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds on the soil surface or just barely press them into moist seed-starting mix, as they require light to germinate. Maintain temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and provide consistent moisture until seedlings emerge, typically within 7 to 10 days. Once true leaves develop, thin seedlings to ensure adequate spacing and air circulation.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed 4 to 6 true leaves and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally after your region's last frost date. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Handle seedlings carefully to avoid damaging the fragile stems. Water gently after transplanting and keep soil consistently moist for the first week as plants establish.
Harvest leaves individually as they mature, typically 60 to 69 days after transplanting. Pick leaves when they show a slight yellowing at the base and feel slightly papery to the touch, a sign that they are ready for curing. Harvest from the bottom of the plant upward, removing mature leaves every few days as they reach the proper stage. Once harvested, hang leaves in a warm, well-ventilated space to air-cure, allowing them to develop their characteristic reddish-brown color over several weeks.
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“Catterton Tobacco carries the lineage of Maryland-type tobaccos, a heritage strain with deep roots in American agricultural tradition. Developed and refined over generations by growers who understood the specific climate and soil demands of tobacco cultivation, this heirloom represents the kind of crop that shaped regional farming practices. Its persistence as an open-pollinated variety means it has been preserved and replanted by seed-saving gardeners and heritage crop enthusiasts who value its reliability and the independence that comes with growing something you can save, replant, and share.”