Aztec Tobacco Seeds

All our seeds are 100% Canadian Grown, Processed-by-Hand, Non-GMO, Certified Organic, and Open Pollinated. From our 10-acre Seed Farm in Metchosin, BC since 2004.

Quick Notes
• Extremely potent tobacco species with high nicotine content
• Grows quickly to 1m tall with bushy, compact form
• Excellent for making insecticide and pesticide
• Used traditionally in medicine, ceremony, and rituals
• Cold-hardy and suitable for short-season climates

About Aztec or Wild Tobacco
Also known as Nicotiana rustica, this powerful plant has been cultivated for centuries by Indigenous peoples across the Americas. Rich in cultural, spiritual, and medicinal value, Wild Tobacco produces short, bushy plants with sticky foliage and small yellow-green flowers. Its nicotine content is many times higher than that of commercial tobacco, making it unsuitable for casual smoking but highly prized in ceremonial use, especially in snuff, teas, and offerings. Easy to grow and fast to mature, it thrives in most Canadian growing zones, especially where summers are short or cool.

* Contains much higher levels of nicotine, often 6–9% (up to 20% in some cases).

Cultivated tobacco typically contains 1-3%

Where Can You Grow Aztec or Wild Tobacco?
This species is well-suited for Zones 3–9, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. It performs well in containers or open ground and is surprisingly resilient in northern or short-season climates.

History and Historical Uses
Wild Tobacco holds deep significance in many Indigenous cultures of Central and South America. Used in rituals, purification, and medicine, it was often burned as incense, brewed as tea, or taken as snuff to induce visions, treat illness, or communicate with spirits. Today, its traditional uses continue among herbalists and in spiritual practices around the world.

Canadian Zone Information
Zones 8-9: Direct sow after last frost or start indoors for earlier harvest.
Zones 5-7: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost and transplant after risk has passed.
Zones 3-4: Start indoors early and grow in pots or warm microclimates.

How to Grow and Harvest Aztec or Wild Tobacco
Planting: Start seeds indoors on the soil surface; do not cover, as light aids germination. Transplant seedlings after frost.
Watering: Keep consistently moist until established, then water moderately.
Harvesting: Pick mature leaves when sticky and full; dry thoroughly for use.
Maintenance: Pinch early flower buds to promote foliage production or leave them to encourage reseeding.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply
Let Flower: Allow plants to bloom and form seed pods.
Collect Seed: Once pods dry and brown, clip and open them to gather tiny seeds.
Dry and Store: Spread to fully dry, then store in a cool, dry, dark place. Seeds remain viable for up to 5 years.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)