Tags: Garden

Since the price of tobacco has gone through the roof here in the states I thought it would be of interest to post what I have learned about the process of growing your own tobacco at home. A chart shows the tobacco tax by state.

tobacco plant

Many homeowners wish to grow a few plants of tobacco in their yard or garden for ornamental purposes or for personal use. Tobacco plants are usually no more difficult to grow than many other garden plants, but it is difficult to cure, age, and process tobacco without specialized facilities. As a result of federal legislation in late 2005, restrictions of commercial tobacco production to quota holders are no longer in effect.

Tobacco is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family, which includes tomato, pepper, eggplant, Irish potato, and a number of other plants. Tobacco belongs to the genus Nicotiana, and almost all commercial tobacco is of the tabacum species. The Nicotiana rustica species was commonly used by American Indians and may still be used for ceremonial purposes in some areas. There may be small amounts of N. rustica planted commercially in Asia. A number of other species of Nicotiana serve as ornamental plants.