Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca): The Glaucous Tobacco Tree

Nicotiana glauca, known as Tree Tobacco, Mustard Tree, or Brazilian Tree Tobacco, is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with smooth, rubbery, blue-green (glaucous) leaves and tubular yellow flowers. It's a striking foliage plant but highly toxic.

Botanical Profile

Culture & Warning

Native to South America (Bolivia, Argentina), now naturalized worldwide in Mediterranean climates. It grows 10–20 feet tall with a single or few trunks. The leaves are large, ovate, intensely glaucous. Yellow-green, tubular flowers (1–2 inches) bloom in clusters year-round in warm climates. It thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant.

Hardy in zones 8–11. All parts contain nicotine and anabasine—highly toxic. Do not ingest. In some areas (California, Australia), it's invasive. Use with extreme caution; primarily a foliage accent for knowledgeable gardeners in frost-free zones.