How to Grow Snapdragon

About Growing Snapdragon Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Snapdragon plants are native to the Mediterranean. But, we are sure glad someone brought them over here! They are a favorite flower for cutting and for their fragrance. Strong-stemmed spikes are tightly packed with large “dragons” in a wide range of colors and shades. Long-lasting Snapdragon flowers are so profuse, that they can hide the leaves at peak bloom. And, growing Snapdragons is a joy, as their blooms begin in late spring and continue all the way to the first Fall frost.

Snapdragon plants are an easy to grow plant. Most people grow them as annuals. However, they are technically short-lived perennials. . Most varieties are early summer bloomers. Plants often wilt in the mid-summer heat but should perk back up and bloom again in cooler fall weather.

Snapdragons are excellent in beds, edgings, and containers. Try them in rock gardens or window gardens too. Smaller varieties grow well in flowerpots and containers on a sunny patio or deck. They are popular cut flowers for bouquets and vases.

Snapdragons attract hummingbirds.

Annual Snapdragon Flower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: There are a wide variety of colors, including bronze, crimson, orange, peach, pink, red, purple, violet, white, and yellow.

Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to Fall

Plant Height: Smaller varieties grow just six inches tall. Larger varieties grow three to four feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.0.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 5 – 11

Light Needs: Bright, full sunlight to partial sunlight.

Toxic Plant?: No.

Deer Resistant? Yes. The plants are woody and they taste bitter. As a result, deer, rabbits, and other foraging animals avoid them.

Number of Species: 20.

Plant Type: Short-lived perennials are usually grown as annuals.

Native To: Asia and Europe.

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus

Other Names: Dog Flower, Toadflax

Are Snapdragon Plants Edible?

YES!!

The leaves, flowers, and stems are edible. However, they have a bland and somewhat bitter taste. As a result, you won’t see people rushing out to the flower garden to harvest this plant for dinner.

Use the flower as an attractive garnish.

Medicinal Uses for Snapdragon Plants

The Snapdragon plant is used in home medicinal remedies for a variety of ailments, both external and internal. Here are a few of them:

Use it to treat digestive ailments and for overall gut health.
Put it into a tea to ease coughs and bronchial problems.
The plant has anti-inflammatory properties that aids in the healing of bruises, cuts, scrapes, and wounds.
Use it to help burns to heal.
It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that aid in fighting infections.

Light Requirements

Snapdragon flowers grow their best, and produce the most flowers, when grown in full sunlight. Plant them in a location where they will receive eight to ten hours of bright, direct sunlight. However, in hotter regions of the country, a little light afternoon shade is beneficial.

Note: Too little sunlight affects plant health as well as the number and quality of the blooms.

Snapdragon Plant Propagation

Snapdragon plants are grown from tiny seeds. The seeds take up to three weeks or more to germinate. This is the only difficult thing about growing Snapdragons. Because of the difficulty of starting them at home, many a gardener get seedlings at their nearest garden store. But if you are up to the challenge, try germinating them yourself. Start them indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area.

Note: For indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And, it, results in a higher germination rate.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 6 to 36 inches apart, depending upon variety. Space larger plant varieties at 36 inches apart.

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 10 – 21 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Snapdragon Flower Plants

Planting location and soil needs:

Snapdragon plants grow best in full sun. However, they benefit from a little afternoon shade in warmer regions. Select a planting location that receives six to eight hours or more of direct sunlight. The plants grow best in rich soil. But, they also do well in average soil. The soil should be well-draining.

Plant Snapdragon plants outdoors after the last frost in your area. Mix compost into the soil the first time you plant them. It helps them get off to a quick start in their new home.

If the soil is poor, apply a general-purpose fertilizer right after planting them.

Fertilizer Needs:

Begin fertilizing established plants in the early spring. In average to poor soil, apply a general-purpose fertilizer two or three times a season. In rich soils, you can apply fertilizer less often.

Water Needs:

For the best performance, keep the soil moist but not wet all season long. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. During most of the year, Snapdragon flowers seldom need additional water. However, during extended periods of hot and dry weather, they may need additional water once or twice a week. Water the ground around the crown of the plant. Avoid getting the leaves wet as this can promote plant disease.

Cut back tall plants any time after fall frost, but before the plant begins to grow again in the spring.

Other Steps:

Keep the plants well-weeded, especially when they are young.

Apply a thick layer of mulch around the plants. It gives the flower garden a neat and tidy apperance. And, the mulch helps to retain soil moisture.

The flowers will bloom in June. After the flowers have died off, cut the plant back to about six inches. Then add some general-purpose fertilizer. This will promote new growth and a second bloom. It is important to note that hot midsummer weather may cause the plant to stop producing flower buds during heat waves. But, the plant should begin to bloom again in early Fall.

Taller varieties may become leggy and require staking. This is especially true when grown in partial sunlight.

Snapdragon plants are very hardy. They can withstand a heavy frost. So, if your plant is still blooming in the fall, do not be too quick to clean up the flower garden. Rather, wait until a hard frost kills the plant.

How to Grow Snapdragon Flowers in Containers and Flowerpots

Smaller varieties of Snapdragon flowers grow well in flowerpots and containers on your balcony or patio. The smallest varieties will look pretty in a windowsill planter, too. They tolerate a little crowding. So, grow them in containers en masse.

Like any container-grown plant, they need a little more care and attention. In addition to normal plant care, here’s how to grow Snapdragon flowers in containers:

Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your patio or deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every several days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist, not wet. Let the top of the soil dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

How to Prune Snapdragon Plants

Pruning is an important part of plant care. Pruning Snapdragon flowers are no exception. It results in more flowers and a healthier, better-looking plant. First, keep an eye out for dead, sick, or diseased leaves and stems. Remove them as soon as you see them.

Deadheading spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flower buds. When a flower dies, use sharp pruning shears to remove the flower stem where it meets the stem of the plant.

Insects and Plant Disease

Insect and disease problems are not too common. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures, too.