Snapdragons are my FAVORITE flower! I don’t know if it is the memory of “snapping them” as a kid (and watching my kids do so now), or the majesty of watching the flowers bloom up the spike stem for several days on my kitchen counter, but they bring me so much joy. I want all the Snapdragons in my yard!
Quick Facts
Light requirement: Full sun/partial shade
Spacing: 4-12 inches apart
Cold tolerant even up to a light frost
Pinching: Yes! It helps produce more blooms!
Support from hortanova or staking is helpful in windy areas. If you plant many close together (4-6 inches) they help hold each other up.
Water 2-3 times per week
Harvest when the bottom third of the blooms are open. The rest will open in the vase. Cut in the cool morning or evening, not in the heat of the day.
Vase life: 5-10 days
Fun fact: The blooms are edible (though a bit bitter) and can be used as a garnish on meals.
Growing Tips
Here are some tips for growing them in your yard this summer.
First, snapdragons cannot be direct seeded in the spring so you will need purchase starts. Seeding in the fall and overwintering them is possible in mild climates, but I have not every tried.
When ready to plant your snapdragon start, I recommend pinching them. This will delay getting blooms by a few weeks, but you will get so many more flowers! To pinch, simply cut or pinch off the plant above the second set of true leaves. This can be scary, but believe me, it is worth it! In the image below, the snaps on the left are unpinched and the ones are the right are pinched. For more details on how to pinch see this video.
Dig a hole twice the size of the plant and soften the soil. If the roots are root-bound, gently brake them apart before planting. Water the plant in well. Water deeply 2-3 times a week depending on heat and perspiration in your area. Watering with drip tape or drip hoses is the most effective.
Snapdragons, scientifically known as Antirrhinum majus can grow up to 3 feet tall! They are a cut-come again flower, so the more you cut, they more you will get! Snapdragons are cold tolerant as well so I have had many of mine survive the winter and come back the next year. There are 4 groups of Snapdragons (1-4). Groups 1 and 2 are cold season and Group 3 and 4 are moderate to hot tolerant. All the varieties I have tired are 3, 3-4 or 4 and they have done phenomenally.
I hope you decide to give snap dragons a try this year in your garden!
Wow! Those are beautiful!! All those colors and they look so pretty in the garden and in the house as cut flowers too!!