Corojo 99 Tobacco is a hardy, open-pollinated strain descended from the legendary Cuban El Corojo of the 1930s, refined for modern gardens while retaining its prized wrapper-leaf qualities. This upright plant reaches 36 to 60 inches tall and produces silky, dark brown leaves with a distinctive spicy cedar aroma that makes it one of the few wrapper varieties worth growing outside commercial cultivation. Hardy in zones 8 through 11, it matures in 70 to 79 days from transplant and resists deer browsing, thriving equally well in fields, containers, raised beds, or greenhouses. Its larger, more disease-resistant structure than its Cuban ancestor makes it accessible to home gardeners seeking an authentic, historically rooted tobacco experience.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-11
60in H x ?in W
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Low
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The leaves themselves tell the story: deep brown, silky-textured wrappers with a spicy cedar character that harkens back to pre-1930s Cuban tobacco. Corojo 99 was specifically developed to improve upon the original El Corojo strain, delivering greater disease resistance and more vigorous growth while preserving that rare aromatic profile. For gardeners drawn to heirloom varieties with genuine historical pedigree and proven cultivation in home gardens, this is a variety that demands attention.
Corojo 99 is grown primarily for its wrapper leaves, the outermost layer of tobacco used in premium cigar production. The silky, dark brown leaves are valued for both their visual appeal and their spicy cedar aroma, making them sought after by tobacco enthusiasts and small-scale cultivators who appreciate authentic, historically rooted tobacco varieties.
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Start seeds indoors in a warm environment, then transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Corojo 99 reaches transplant-ready size in approximately 75 to 80 days from sowing.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed true leaves and soil temperatures consistently remain warm. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation and room for the plant to reach its full 36 to 60 inch height.
Harvest leaves when they reach their characteristic dark brown color and silky texture, typically 70 to 79 days after transplanting. Pick individual leaves from the bottom of the plant upward as they mature, or harvest the entire plant at once when most leaves have achieved the desired color. Leaves are ready when they feel pliable and have lost any greenish tones.
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“Corojo 99 traces its lineage directly to the El Corojo tobacco of 1930s Cuba, a legendary wrapper variety prized across the Caribbean and beyond for its distinctive silky leaf and spicy cedar aromatics. Rather than simply preserving the original strain, Corojo 99 represents a deliberate improvement: breeders enhanced disease resistance and plant vigor while maintaining the essential character that made El Corojo famous. This cultivar embodies the philosophy of thoughtful plant development, honoring heritage while solving real growing challenges that prevented home gardeners from successfully cultivating such historically significant varieties.”