Planting

• Start nicotiana from seeds indoors or directly in your garden. Plant seeds in a seedling flat with individual cells or small pots indoors a month or two before the last spring frost. Do not cover the seeds with soil, as they need light to germinate and sprout. Keep your seeds in a warm location between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week or two until the seeds begin to sprout. After sprouting, move the seedlings to a sunny window or under plant lights. Pinch off all but the strongest seedling in each pot and harden your plants off by placing them outside for gradually increasing amounts of time. Transplant the seedlings into your garden after the last frost.
  
  If you wish to sow your nicotiana seeds directly in your garden, wait until there is no danger of frost. Mix some compost into the soil to promote fertility and drainage. Space your nicotiana plants about 12 inches apart to prevent overcrowding. Avoid making your nicotiana bed near trees and shrubs that provide too much shade or rob the soil of nutrients. Add a well-balanced fertilizer when you plant and use a fertilizer with a high phosphorus count before the first blooming period in early summer.
  
  

Growing and Maintenance

• Keep your nicotiana plants moist, but not soggy. Water them regularly with warm water to keep the soil damp if you do not receive adequate rainfall. Choose a location that gets full to partial sun for more vibrant and healthy blooms. Prune your nicotiana plants after each bloom to keep them tidy and healthy. Remove any dead or yellowing stems or blooms to improve the plant's appearance and encourage reblooming. Cover your nicotiana plants with a plastic sheet if frost is expected. Use insecticide and fungicide to protect against aphids, gnats and disease.