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• Part 1 of 2: Hang tobacco leaves to dry
• Part 2 of 2: Monitor the drying process until it is complete

There are many ways you can dry your own tobacco leaves, whether they are for smoking, ceremonial use, or as an insect repellant. Tobacco drying is a process that takes three to eight weeks to prepare the tobacco for use. This drying method produces tobacco leaves which, compared to other methods, are low in sugar, high in nicotine and have a sweet taste!

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Part 1 of 2: Hang tobacco leaves to dry

1. Dry tobacco in the fall for best results. The warm, dry days and cool, relatively humid nights of late summer and early fall provide the perfect conditions for tobacco leaf drying.
2. Choose leaves that are buff for drying. Tobacco leaves that are too green will also dry green and you want to avoid that. Usually the lower leaves of the plant turn yellow faster, so take them first.
3. Find a well-ventilated shelter for drying, usually a shed. The leaves must be protected from direct sunlight, rain and wind in order to dry them. A shed or garage works well for this. You can even dry the leaves in your house as long as you have the space for it - just make sure the air isn't too dry.
   • Find shelter where you have some control over the humidity by opening and closing doors, windows, or vents. You have to keep the humidity relatively high to prevent the leaves from drying too quickly.
   • Make sure the leaves are protected from direct sunlight, as this can cause them to burn.
4. Hang your tobacco in bundles of three to five leaves. Attach the leaves to a clothing line or string tied to the stem with a strong rubber band that will contract as the leaves shrink.If you only dry a few leaves, you can also string the individual leaves on a thread and hang it up.

Part 2 of 2: Monitor the drying process until it is complete

1. Monitor the humidity while your leaves dry. In cooler periods, open the doors of the shed during the day to let in the relatively warmer outside air. In warmer periods, and if your leaves dry too quickly, close the doors during the day and open them at night to let in the humid night air.
   • You may need to use a humidifier if your leaves dry too quickly.
   • If you dry the tobacco in the house, make sure to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity to prevent the leaves from drying too quickly. An air-conditioned house is probably too dry for tobacco drying.
   • Leaves that dry too quickly can remain green.
2. Keep an eye on the leaves to know when they are dry enough. As they dry, the leaves will turn yellow, then a sort of orange, and eventually brown. (The shades may vary based on the type of tobacco leaf you are using.) Depending on the environmental conditions, the process takes between three and eight works.
   • When the leaves are brown and the edges are slightly curled up, the process is complete.
   • The dried leaves are a bit sticky and feel like very thin leather. They should be flexible, not brittle.
   • The dried leaves should have a slightly sweet scent due to the drying process.
3. Remove the stems from the leaves. When the tobacco is ready, gently pull the leaf from the stem. You can use the tobacco right away or store it for later use, but you can also let it ferment further.
   • The stems retain moisture and can increase the chance of mold during storage.
   • Tobacco leaves can be smoked or stored when they are brown and pliable, but not too brittle. If the leaves get too brittle, you can moisten them with water from a spray bottle. In an almost magical way they become flexible again with a little moisture.
   • You can store the leaves in a humidor or even a plastic bag. If you have dampened brittle leaves for storage, pat them with a paper towel to make sure there are no water droplets on them. This keeps the leaves moist, but reduces the risk of mold growth during storage.