How To Grow Snapdragons – An Easy Guide [Lots Of Pictures]

Are you interested in how to grow snapdragons? Snapdragons are colorful, easy-to-grow annual flowers that are commonly available to home gardeners. The spiky flowers are long-lasting when cut and placed in vases. Typically snapdragons have slim dark leaves and come in hot colors such as red, yellow, orange, and also white. This plant is native to the Mediterranean but was also once found growing wild in Italy and Spain. It is part of the foxglove family.

Antirrhinum is the Latin name for the snapdragon, which means “like a nose” but to some this flower looks more like a mouth. Because of this, some also liken the flower shape to a dragon’s mouth and the snapping sound it made when the top of the flower is closed and then quickly opened.

In the language of flowers, the meaning of snapdragon is conflicting. It means both to be gracious and to be deceiving. Perhaps this is why some believe that if a man gives snapdragons to a lady, he is soon to unexpectedly propose.

In ancient times people believed that snapdragons could bring back a woman’s faded beauty or protect people from the spells of witches. Germans once thought that snapdragons could protect a baby from the fear of evil spirits. It’s easy to see how this flower allured many different people and cultures over the years. 

Types of Snapdragons

Snapdragons are easy to grow and adapt to many different situations, which is another thing besides their aesthetics that make them popular. Their sturdy stems help make them good cut flowers.

When cut, many snapdragons last for at least a week and sometimes a few days more. Snapdragons are excellent in beds, borders, containers, and window boxes. They also look pretty when naturalized in meadows or in large groups. They flower best at the beginning and end of summer but may be less active in the heat of midsummer.

There are many different sizes and shapes of snapdragons that the home gardener can grow. Some varieties can be as small as one foot tall or as high as three feet tall.

Floral Carpet is a commonly grown type that grows to only about seven inches in height. Rocket Mix comes in many different colors and grows two or three feet tall. Plum Blossom is a variety that grows almost four feet high and has pink and cream-colored flowers.

While snapdragons are known to be susceptible to rust disease, newer types are bred to be rust-resistant, so look for those.

Here are some different types of snapdragons: 

• candy showers
• aroma series
  • hybrid French vanilla
  • magenta mist
  • peace breeze
  • red spice
  • fresh lemon
• Chantilly series
  • yellow
  • pink
  • velvet
  • white
  • chantilly mix
  • bronze
  • deep orange
  • light salmon
• Floral showers
• Frosted flames
• Dwarf snapdragons 
• Lucky lips
• Liberty classic mix
• Intermediate snapdragons
• Night and day
• Madame butterfly
• Rocket mix
• Palette mix
• Royal bridge
• Sonnet series 
  • crimson
  • yellow
  • pink
• Tall snapdragons 
• Trailing snapdragons 
• Twinny snapdragons
  • apple blossom
  • bronze shades
  • peach
  • white
  • rose
  • yellow shades

Great Companion Plants To Snapdragons

To make the most of your snapdragons, consider planting them alongside these plants: 

1. Pericallis
2. pot marigolds
3. love in a mist
4. geraniums
5.  columbines
6. pansies
7. sweet alyssum 

How to Grow Snapdragons

Snapdragons are not hard to grow, but the seeds are very small and slow to start. Snapdragon seeds can take up to three weeks to germinate so unless a special variety is desired home gardeners may want to purchase seedlings from a garden center. But, to start snapdragons from seed, scatter them lightly on the surface of the soil and mist them gently.

Start them indoors about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date and be prepared to baby them. Keep them moist by lightly covering the pot with a plastic bag. They are ready to plant outdoors when they have at least 4 leaves, not counting the first two that emerge, which are the seed leaves. The nighttime temperature should also be at a consistent 55 degrees for outdoor planting.

Snapdragons grow best in full sun and in average soil. When the snapdragons are still a few inches tall, pinch the top inch or so off of the young plant. This will encourage the plant to become bushy as new stems sprout along the sides.

Cut the snapdragons back when they finish flowering to stimulate more blossoms. If this is not done they will stop blooming and go to seed. Some snapdragons will reseed themselves in the garden if left alone. These flowers can also tolerate some frost after they have been established so plan them for the fall garden.

Light requirements 

They will do best in full sun to partial shade. When the temp heats up, they may not bloom at all. Planting them in partial shade can help with this so they make it through the summer and have a chance to bloom again in the fall. 

Soil requirements

They prefer a pH of 6.2-7.0, neutral soil, that is rich in nutrients and very well-draining. Because they are short-lived plants, they don’t feed a lot but organic matter can help them look their best when they are blooming. 

Temperature requirements

They are hardy in USDA zones 7-11 but prefer cooler temperatures. When it comes to temperature, snapdragons are fairly tolerant, but they prefer cool weather. In fact, snapdragons may even stop blooming if the temperature gets too hot. So, if you’re looking to grow snapdragons, be sure to choose a spot that will give them the cooler temperatures they crave.

Water requirements 

It’s really important to provide your snapdragons with a lot of water. When you’re just starting out, you’ll want your seedlings to be kept moist for the first few weeks. After they’re established, your snapdragons need about an inch of water per week when there isn’t rainfall. Be sure to avoid overhead watering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out fully between waterings.  

Tips for Growing Snapdragons

1. Snapdragons like full sun, so choose a spot in your yard that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
2. Snapdragons need well-drained soil, so if your soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or organic matter to improve drainage.
3. When planting snapdragons, space the plants about 12 inches apart.
4. Once the plants are established, water them deeply once a week. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering.
5. To encourage more blooms, pinch off the spent flowers (the ones that have turned brown).
6. At the end of the growing season, cut back the plants by half their height. This will help them to overwinter and return again next year.

Fun Facts About Snapdragons

Here are some things that all snapdragons share, regardless of type. 

• Snapdragons will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden 
• They can grow up to three feet high and spread up to one foot
• Snapdragons are deer-resistant
• They are native to China and the United States
• If you squeeze and release the back of the flowers, they open and close
• They bloom from April until frost season
• In some areas, they are called “Dog’s mouth”, “Lion’s mouth”, or “Dragon flowers”

How to Grow Snapdragons FAQ

If you have questions about growing snapdragons, you’re not alone. Here are some other frequently asked questions on this topic. 

With a little bit of care, snapdragons will bloom for months, bringing beauty to any garden. They are a favorite among gardeners and floral arrangers alike because of their bright colors and unique shape. Snapdragons can be planted in the spring or fall, and they prefer a sunny location (but not too hot) with well-drained soil. So, whether you live in a hot climate or a cold climate, snapdragons are a great addition to your garden.

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