Tobacco Black Indian Seeds

Black Indian is a Nicotiana tabacum variety sold here as seed for growing the plant. The product card describes a tall plant, 1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 feet), with broad, thick, dark green leaves that are slightly crinkled and resinous, and small pink flowers in late summer. It is a warm-season, sun-loving plant, and the notes below follow the variety description on the card.

Also known as: common tobacco, cultivated tobacco, tambaku (Hindi), tabaco (Spanish/Portuguese), tabac (French), Tabak (German), tütün (Turkish)

These are common names of the species Nicotiana tabacum. Black Indian is the name of this variety, and the store lists it as Tobacco Black Indian. The card describes it as a traditional variety from India.

Plant at a glance

• Species: Nicotiana tabacum
• Variety name: Black Indian
• Height: 1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 feet), according to the product card
• Leaves: broad, thick, dark green, slightly crinkled and resinous
• Flowers: small, pink, in late summer
• Site: full sun, well-drained fertile soil, and a hot, humid climate

Growing Black Indian from seed

Nicotiana seed is dust-fine and needs light to germinate, so it goes on the surface and is never buried. The figures below come from the variety description and are approximate guides, not results measured on a specific seed lot.

• Sowing: press the seeds lightly onto the surface of moist soil and leave them uncovered.
• Timing: start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.
• Temperature: the card suggests about 24 C (75 F), with the soil kept consistently moist.
• Germination: the card gives 7 to 14 days.
• Transplanting: move seedlings outdoors only after the last frost, spacing plants about 60 cm (2 feet) apart.
• Care: full sun, well-drained fertile soil, regular watering and occasional feeding.

Because the seed is so small, the surface layer can dry out quickly. Water gently with a fine mist or from below, so the seeds stay in place instead of washing together into clumps. Once the seedlings have their first true leaves, thinning them gives each plant room before it goes outdoors.

Space and site planning

A plant that reaches 1.2 to 1.5 m needs room around it. The card gives a spacing of about 60 cm and pairs full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. It also describes a hot, humid climate, so pick the sunniest bed you have and keep the soil evenly moist.

About the photos

The photos in the gallery are archive images of this listing. They have not all been reviewed against this variety, so this text makes no claims about what the plants in them look like beyond the card.

FAQ

How do I sow Black Indian seeds?

Press them lightly onto the surface of moist, well-drained soil and do not cover them. The seeds need light to germinate, so burying them works against the plant. The card suggests a temperature of about 24 C (75 F) and soil that stays consistently moist.

When should I sow Black Indian?

The variety description recommends sowing indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Seedlings move outdoors after the last frost has passed. The card gives 7 to 14 days for germination, so allow about two weeks before judging a tray.

How tall does Black Indian grow?

The product card gives a height of 1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 feet), with broad dark green leaves and small pink flowers in late summer. Treat these as approximate figures, since light, soil and spacing change the final size.