- Yellow Twist Bud is a white stemmed heirloom Burley that grows 5 feet in height, produces few suckers, and has a pyramidal form with closely spaced leaves giving it good resistance to wind and inclement weather.

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Tobacco Seeds - Yellow Twist Bud

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Mountain Valley Seed Company
High-quality heirloom & open-pollinated seeds since 1974  
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~60-65 Days from transplant to maturity. Nicotiana tabacum. Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to deer. Yellow Twist Bud is a classic heirloom Burley tobacco known for its striking yellow‑maturing leaves and upright, sturdy structure. Originally grown in places like Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland before 1880, it remains a popular choice for growers seeking a versatile leaf that works in pipe blends, cigarettes, plug, or cigar filler. Extremely tiny seeds: ~ 500,000 seeds/oz.

SKU: 46273

How To Grow Tobacco from Seed

Growing Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Use a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix. Tobacco seeds are tiny—scatter them on the surface of moist starting mix and gently press them in without covering (they need light to germinate). Keep the soil warm (70–80 F) and moist. Seeds usually sprout in 7–14 days. Provide bright light or grow lights for 14–16 hours a day to keep seedlings healthy and prevent legginess.

When seedlings are 2–3 inches tall, thin them to provide each plant with sufficient room. Harden them off outdoors for a week before transplanting. Move seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, and the soil temperature is consistently warm. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in rows about 3 feet apart. Prefers fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Requires full sun (at least 6–8 hours of daily sunlight). Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid wetting the leaves, as this can encourage disease. Use a balanced fertilizer, but avoid high nitrogen, which can lead to excessive leafy growth and poor curing quality.

Maintenance: Remove suckers (side shoots) as plants grow to direct energy into the main leaves. Some growers also top (remove) the flower head when it appears, which improves leaf size and quality.

Harvesting Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco

Leaves are ready when they start to yellow slightly and feel sticky/resinous to the touch—usually 60-65 days after transplanting, depending on variety and conditions. Harvest from the bottom up. Lower leaves mature first, followed by the middle leaves, and then the upper leaves. You can pick individual leaves as they ripen (“priming”), or cut the whole stalk when most leaves are mature.

After harvest, the leaves must be cured to achieve proper color, flavor, and aroma. Methods include air-curing (hung in a well-ventilated, shaded space for 4–8 weeks) or flue-curing (controlled heat).

An in-depth review of the curing process is beyond the scope of this website. Additional information may be available from the USDA and the local Extension Program.

About Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco Garden Seeds

Yellow Twist Bud matures in about sixty to sixty‑five days and reaches heights of five to six feet, with flower heads sometimes over seven feet tall. The leaves are large and heavy—typically around twelve inches wide by twenty inches long, but occasionally as long as thirty inches—yellow when ripe and easy to air‑cure.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Because the seeds are so fine—like dust—it is better to sprinkle them on the surface of the starting mix, then just lightly press them into the medium."

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco Seeds Per Package:

  • 100 seed Packet
  • 1,500 seed - Bulk Seeds

Non-GMO Yellow Twist Bud Tobacco seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

Basic Info

Basic product information
PropertyDetails
Latin Name: Nicotiana tabacum
Tobacco Seeds Color: Green foliage with pink to white flowers
Tobacco Seeds Flavor: Not for culinary use; leaves are aromatic when cured.

Growing Info

Growing information
PropertyDetails
Hardiness Zone: Annual 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Days to Maturity: ~60-65 from transplant
Days to Germination: 7-21
Seeding Depth: surface sown
Plant Spacing: 18-24 inches
Row Spacing: 30-36 inches
Plant Height: 36-60 inches
Growth Habit: Upright
Soil Preference: Rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture; benefits from regular nitrogen fertility.
Temperature Preference: Warmer 60-85 F
Germination Temperature: 70-75 F
Light Preference: Full Sun

Other Info

Other product information
PropertyDetails
Direct Sow: Not recommended
Start Indoors: Yes, 6-8 weeks before transplanting.
Plant Width: 12-24 inches
Deer Resistant: Yes
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to tobacco hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, mosaic viruses, and blue mold; avoid frost.
Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container, Fields
Climate Tolerance: Heat and humidity tolerant; frost sensitive.

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