Shag India Seeds

Shag India is a variety of Nicotiana rustica, a species that is a different plant from the common cultivated tobacco Nicotiana tabacum. The listing describes a medium-sized plant that grows up to 1.5 m (about 5 ft) tall, with thick stems and broad, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are thick and bright green. This page is for the seed of the plant, sold for sowing and growing in the garden.

Also known as: Aztec tobacco, mapacho, wild tobacco (names of the species Nicotiana rustica)

Plant at a glance

• Species: Nicotiana rustica
• Variety: Shag India
• Height: up to 1.5 m (about 5 ft)
• Stems: thick
• Leaves: broad, lance-shaped, thick and bright green
• Light: full sun
• Soil: well-drained and fertile, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)

Sowing Shag India

Start the seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Press the seed lightly onto the surface of the soil and do not cover it, because it needs light to germinate. Nicotiana seed is very fine, so a gentle press is enough to bring it into contact with the soil without burying it.

• Sowing time: indoors, 6-8 weeks before the last frost
• Depth: on the surface, pressed in lightly and left uncovered
• Light: needed for germination, so leave the seed uncovered

Soil, sun and water

Shag India does best in fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Work in organic compost before planting to improve the soil. Give the plants full sun, which supports vigorous growth. Water steadily so that the soil stays moist, but avoid waterlogging, since soil that stays saturated is not suited to this plant.

Planning space for this variety

A plant that reaches 1.5 m with thick stems and broad leaves takes up real room. Choose a sunny spot in an open bed or a large container with good drainage, and keep taller plants like this one at the back of a bed or along a fence rather than in front of lower plants. Leave enough space between plants for the broad leaves to open and for air to move through the planting.

What the listing does not cover

The listing gives no germination percentage, seed count per gram or lot test date for this variety, and the seed specifications for it are still empty. Any figure of that kind is therefore left out here instead of being guessed. If you need a firm sowing temperature or timing for your own climate, treat the figures above as a starting point and adjust them to your conditions.

FAQ

What conditions does Shag India need to germinate?

Light and a moist soil surface. Press the seed onto the soil without covering it, because it needs light to germinate, and keep the soil moist while the seedlings establish.

When should I sow Shag India?

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area, placing the seed on the surface of the soil.

How tall does Shag India grow?

Up to 1.5 m (about 5 ft). It is a medium-sized plant with thick stems and broad, lance-shaped, bright green leaves, and it does best in full sun on well-drained, fertile soil.