What plants contain nicotine?

Introduction

Nicotine is a nitrogen‑containing alkaloid best known for its role in tobacco products, yet it occurs naturally in several other plants. Scientists class nicotine as a plant defense molecule that deters insects and other herbivores. Most research and public discussion focus on tobacco because the crop contains substantial nicotine, but small amounts of this alkaloid are present in some vegetables and beverages people consume every day. Understanding which plants make nicotine and how concentrations compare to tobacco may help demystify claims about “nicotine‑free” products and highlight why nicotine pouches, vaping and snus remain unique in their nicotine delivery.

In the global nicotine market, demand for tobacco products, nicotine pouches and synthetic nicotine continues to climb. According to a Statista‑cited estimate reported by Tobacco Reporter, revenue in the U.S. nicotine market is projected to reach US$107.5 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.62 % through 2028. This economic backdrop underscores why producers and consumers are interested not only in tobacco but also in alternative plant sources and delivery formats for nicotine.

What Plants Contain Nicotine?

Nicotine biosynthesis has been conclusively demonstrated only in tobacco plants (genus Nicotiana), yet trace amounts of nicotine have been detected in other members of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family and even in tea. Researchers suggest these traces may result from either endogenous production or contamination from nicotine‑containing pesticides or soil. Below is an overview of plants that naturally contain nicotine.

Tobacco (Nicotiana species)

• Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica are the primary cultivated tobacco species. Scientific monographs describe the Nicotiana genus as one of the largest genera in the nightshade family, containing around 75 species. These plants are herbaceous annuals, biennials or short‑lived perennials, sometimes forming shrubs or small trees. Nicotine is synthesized in the roots and transported to the leaves, where concentrations range from 0.5 % to 3 % of dry weight, making tobacco the richest natural source.
• The cultivated species N. tabacum is grown worldwide and forms the basis of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and oral tobacco products. N. rustica, sometimes called Aztec tobacco, is still grown in parts of South America, Turkey and Russia and contains higher nicotine levels than N. tabacum.

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Edible Solanaceae: Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplants

• Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) – Analyses conducted for the European Union found only trace amounts of nicotine in potatoes, typically 2–7 µg/kg. Median nicotine concentrations reported in a dietary study of edible Solanaceae were 19.25 µg/kg in cooked potatoes. The nicotine resides mostly in the peel, so peeled potatoes contain even less.
• Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) – Tomatoes contain slightly higher nicotine levels than potatoes. The same study measured 43.8 µg/kg in ripe tomatoes and 29.7 µg/kg in tomato juice. A popular blog summarising research notes that an average tomato (about 100 g) delivers 337–2,012 nanograms of nicotine, meaning you would have to eat hundreds of tomatoes to consume the amount of nicotine in a single cigarette.
• Peppers (Capsicum species) – Peppers, including bell peppers and chili peppers, also fall within the Solanaceae. Median nicotine concentrations of 102.1 µg/kg have been reported for peppers. Nutritionally, this amount is negligible compared with tobacco products; the same blog estimated peppers contain 3,700–9,000 ng/kg.
• Eggplants (Solanum melongena) – Eggplants were once rumored to be a significant nicotine source. McGill University’s Office for Science and Society clarifies that the concentration is about 100 nanograms per gram (100 µg/kg). A single eggplant contains roughly 1 µg of nicotine, far less than the 2 mg of nicotine in a cigarette.

Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Tea plants are not part of the nightshade family, yet researchers have detected trace nicotine in tea leaves. A 2018 study using liquid chromatography confirmed nicotine in tea samples from six Asian countries at 0.011–0.694 µg/g dry weight and reported that nicotine levels remained stable during the processing of green, oolong and black teas. The study measured nicotine in various plant parts—leaves, stems, roots, flower buds and seeds—and found similar concentrations. Because nicotine has not been shown to be synthesized in plants other than tobacco, scientists suspect that contamination from soil or nicotine‑based pesticides may explain these traces. Regulatory agencies in Japan have set the maximum residue level for nicotine in tea at 0.01 mg/kg (10 µg/kg), and most teas fall below this threshold.

Other Plants and Fungi

The same tea study notes that researchers have detected nicotine in wild mushrooms and cauliflower. Levels are extremely low and may stem from contamination. Because research has not confirmed nicotine biosynthesis in these organisms, they are considered incidental carriers rather than true nicotine producers.

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Why Do These Plants Contain Nicotine?

Nicotine functions as an insecticide and defense compound for plants. It binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects, causing overstimulation and death. Tobacco plants produce large amounts of nicotine to deter herbivores; traces found in vegetables may represent remnants of the same defensive system or absorption from contaminated soil. Scientists emphasise that the amounts of nicotine found in vegetables and tea are negligible for human exposure—you would need to consume kilograms of vegetables or hundreds of cups of tea to ingest the nicotine contained in a single cigarette. Nonetheless, awareness of these small amounts helps dispel myths that non‑tobacco nicotine does not occur naturally.

What Are Normal Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are modern oral products that deliver nicotine without burning tobacco. Understanding how much nicotine occurs naturally in plants emphasises how concentrated nicotine is in pouches compared with foods.

Ingredients and Design

Nicotine pouches are smokeless, tobacco‑free sachets containing powdered nicotine, plant fibres (often cellulose), flavourings and pH buffers to enhance nicotine absorption. Users place the pouch between the gum and lip, allowing nicotine to diffuse through the oral mucosa. Because no combustion occurs, pouches avoid many toxicants associated with smoking. However, most pouches still use tobacco‑derived nicotine, and some now incorporate synthetic (“tobacco‑free”) nicotine.

Strengths and Nicotine Delivery

Manufacturers offer pouches in various strengths. Typical U.S. products range from 1.5 mg to 12 mg of nicotine per pouch; some international brands exceed 20 mg. A clinical study reported that a 6 mg nicotine pouch produced 17.5 ng/ml nicotine concentration in blood after 30 minutes—higher than the 11.4 ng/ml delivered by a cigarette. Consequently, pouches can deliver more nicotine than many chewable tobacco products. This high concentration contrasts sharply with the microgram amounts found in vegetables and tea.

Market Growth and Brands

The nicotine pouch market has grown rapidly. The U.S. market was valued at around US$3.95 billion in 2024, with forecasts suggesting it could reach US$49.54 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of ~32 %. Consumer demand stems from pouches being spitless, discreet and available in many flavours. Popular brands include ZYN, VELO and White Fox. ZYN and VELO dominate sales in many regions, while White Fox is known for stronger nicotine levels and mint flavours. These brands market a variety of flavours, such as ZYN Black Cherry a popular choice of the many ZYN Flavors . Some companies run loyalty programs like ZYN Rewards, where customers collect points from purchased cans and redeem them for products or gift cards.

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Health Considerations

Research into nicotine pouches is ongoing. Experts from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine note that pouches contain fewer carcinogens than smoked or chewed tobacco products, but their long‑term effects remain uncertain. Users may experience nausea, oral irritation and increased heart rate, and the high nicotine content carries a risk of dependence. Public‑health groups caution that marketing strategies have targeted youth, leading to rising use among teenagers. Despite regulatory scrutiny, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several pouch products for sale but not as cessation aids.

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What Is Snus?

Snus (pronounced “snoose”) is a traditional Swedish oral tobacco product. Understanding snus provides context for the emergence of nicotine pouches.

Read our full guide: What Is Snus?

Composition and Use

Snus consists of moist ground tobacco either in loose form or packaged in small teabag‑like sachets. Users place snus under the upper lip, where it releases nicotine. Because it is pasteurized rather than fermented, snus contains lower levels of certain nitrosamines compared with American chewing tobacco.

Legal Status and Popularity

The European Union banned the sale of snus outside Sweden in 1992, and the ban remains in effect in the UK. In Sweden, snus is culturally ingrained and widely used as an alternative to smoking. In the UK and U.S., however, nicotine pouches have largely replaced snus because they are tobacco‑free and legal. VELO, ZYN and Nordic Spirit are among the leading pouch brands.

Differences Between Snus and Nicotine Pouches

A key distinction is tobacco content: snus contains ground tobacco, whereas pouches are tobacco‑free. Snus typically delivers higher moisture and salt levels and has flavours reminiscent of tobacco and bergamot, while pouches offer a wide range of fruit, mint and confectionery flavours. Snus is banned in many countries, while pouches remain legal but regulated. In terms of nicotine, modern pouches can equal or exceed the amount delivered by snus due to high‑strength products.

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Conclusion

Nicotine is not exclusive to tobacco; it appears in tiny amounts in potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and even tea. These foods provide nanogram‑level exposures that are nutritionally insignificant, whereas tobacco plants—members of the Nicotiana genus—synthesize nicotine in percentages. The presence of nicotine in common foods does not endanger consumers; rather, it illustrates how plants use chemical defenses. Meanwhile, nicotine pouches and snus deliver concentrated nicotine doses for recreational or harm‑reduction purposes. When comparing plant sources to pouches, the difference in nicotine content spans orders of magnitude. As the nicotine market continues to expand, informed consumers should distinguish between the trace nicotine found in produce and the potent doses delivered by nicotine products like ZYN, VELO, White Fox and snus.