To further explore the growth characteristics of flue-cured tobacco, the changes of botanical properties and photosynthetic characteristics in different genotypes of flue-cured tobacco (K326, Bina1, Jiucaiping2, Guiyan2 and Nanjiang3) during rapid growth stage were investigated. The results indicated that Bina1, Guiyan2 and K326 had good botanical properties in rapid growth phase, especially for plant dry matter. The SPAD value of different flue-cured tobacco genotypes was significantly different at 50 d and 65 d after transplanting, but not significantly different at 80 d (except for Nanjiang3) and relative content of chlorophyll was decreased. In the rapid growth stage, Nanjiang3, Bina1 and K326 had higher relative chlorophyll content, but that of Jiucaiping2 and Guiyan2 were lower. At the same time, photosynthetic character parameters of Bina1 and K326 and Nanjiang3 were better. Jiucaiping2 had worse botanical properties and photosynthetic characteristics, but with easy curing potential above the medium level meanwhile Guiyan2 had medium level photosynthetic character parameters, with easy curing potential much better.