N. tabacum is the most commonly grown species in the genus Nicotiana, as the plant's leaves are commercially harvested to be processed into tobacco for human use.

[1] It is an annual plant that grows 1 to 3 metres (3 to 10 feet) high and is sticky haired on all parts.

The seeds are spherical or broadly elliptical and are up to 0.5 mm (1⁄64 in) long with a wavy networked surface.

Almost every part of the plant except the seed contains nicotine, but the concentration is related to different factors such as species, type of land, culture and weather conditions.

[4] Pyridyl functional groups present in minute amounts include anabasine, myosmine, cotinine and 2, 3′-bipyridyl.

[6] The tobacco plant readily absorbs heavy metals from the surrounding soil and accumulates them in its leaves.

[7] Tobacco also contains the following phytochemicals: glucosides (tabacinine, tabacine), 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-methylquinone, 2-Naphthylamine, propionic acid, anthalin, anethole, acrolein, cembrene, choline, nicotelline, nicotianine, and pyrene.

[11] Megastigmatrienone, a cyclohexenone,[12] and a carotenoid-derived aromatic compound, produces spice notes associated with wine.

[citation needed] N. tabacum is sensitive to temperature, air, ground humidity and the type of land.

Temperatures of 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) are best for adequate growth; an atmospheric humidity of 80 to 85% and soil without a high level of nitrogen are also optimal.

Female P. operculella use the leaves to lay their eggs and the hatched larvae will eat away at the mesophyll of the leaf.

In 1586 the botanist Jaques Dalechamps gave the plant the name of Herba nicotiana, which was also adopted by Linné.

In 1851, the Belgian chemist Jean Stas documented the use of tobacco extract as a murder poison.

The Belgian count Hippolyte Visart de Bocarmé had poisoned his brother-in-law with tobacco leaf extract in order to acquire some urgently needed money.

Air-cured tobacco is sheltered from wind and sun in a well-ventilated barn, where it air dries for six to eight weeks.

Fire curing takes three to ten weeks and produces a tobacco low in sugar and high in nicotine.