Nicotiana alata is a short-lived perennial species which is commonly grown as an annual. It forms a rosette of textured, wavy-margined spoon to oval-shaped leaves. The leaves grow to a length of approximately 25cm and this species produces pretty, tubular green-yellow to white flowers. These are highly scented, particularly at night. Flowers are produced on triangular raceme structures. This is a form of unbranched inflorescence where the oldest flowers are formed at the base and new blooms from the tip as the plant grows.