Lexi Webster
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are a quintessential cottage garden plant with a unique characteristic: their flowers open when pinched on their sides, resembling a dragon about to snap. They are commonly classified as annuals but can grow as short-lived perennials in certain climates. Snapdragons can be grown year-round in most climates, but it's important to avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather, which can affect germination and growth. They are susceptible to snapdragon rust, a serious fungal disease that thrives in cool, humid weather, so spacing and dry foliage are important.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Annual or short-lived perennial |
| Height | Tall (75-120cm), intermediate (40-70cm), dwarf (15-30cm) |
| Flower colours | Red, pink, purple, white, yellow, and other vibrant colours |
| Soil type | Well-drained, fertile, moist, humus-rich, with plenty of organic matter |
| Sunlight | Full sun or partial shade |
| Temperature | Cool temperatures; avoid extreme hot or cold weather |
| Watering | Keep soil moist but not wet; container plants need more frequent watering |
| Fertilizer | May need additional fertilizer for healthy growth; use 10-10-10 fertilizer if plants are not developing flower buds |
| Pests and diseases | Aphids, spider mites, snapdragon rust, powdery mildew |
| Propagation | Seeds or cuttings of non-flowering stems |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation and planting
Snapdragons are commonly grown as annuals, but they can also be short-lived perennials in certain climates. They are susceptible to snapdragon rust, a serious fungal disease that thrives in cool weather, so it is important to avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather, as this can also affect germination and growth.
Snapdragons grow best in fertile, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sunny position. They can tolerate partial shade, but the number of blooms will be reduced. Choose a location that receives at least three hours of full sun each day. Prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it, and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
For container-grown plants, use a good-quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 10 litres is recommended for snapdragons. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than snapdragons in garden soil.
Sow seeds directly in the garden 3mm deep and 15-25cm apart. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 21-24°C. Transplant seedlings to the garden once they have their first true leaves and are large enough to handle (usually 5-10cm tall). Young seedlings will need protection from pests, pets and weather until they are established.
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Caring for young plants
Young snapdragon plants need protection from pests, pets, and weather until they are established. They are susceptible to snapdragon rust, a serious fungal disease that thrives in cool, humid weather. The disease causes dark brown spore pustules to form on the undersides of the leaves, which eventually shrivel and die. Other common diseases that affect snapdragons include powdery mildew, aphids, and spider mites. To prevent fungal diseases, it is important to maintain good airflow by spacing the plants properly and keep the foliage dry by watering at the base of the plant.
Snapdragon seeds should be sown directly into the garden or in containers 3mm deep and 15-25cm apart. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 21-24°C. Once the seedlings have their first true leaves and are about 5-10cm tall, they can be transplanted into the garden.
When transplanting, it is important to space the plants properly to allow for good airflow and to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Snapdragon plants should be planted about 9 inches apart. After they are settled in, pinch the transplants back to two sets of leaves to encourage branching and bushy growth.
Fertilization is not always needed, especially for snapdragons in flower beds not used for cut flowers. However, container-grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. If the plants are not developing more flower buds, cut them back and add a dose of a balanced fertilizer to kick-start another growth spurt.
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Pests and diseases
Snapdragons are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Rust, a common fungal disease, causes dark brown pustules on the undersides of the leaves. While many modern snapdragon varieties are bred to be rust-resistant, older ones may be susceptible. Treat affected plants with a suitable fungicide, or remove them to stop the spread of infection.
Another fungal disease that affects snapdragons is powdery mildew. To prevent fungal diseases, maintain good airflow by spacing plants properly and keep foliage dry by watering at the base of the plant. Avoid getting water on the leaves and avoid planting in heavy, sodden soil, as snapdragons are prone to root rot in these conditions.
Snapdragons are also susceptible to sap-sucking insects like aphids, mealy bugs, mites, and spider mites. These can be controlled with a spray of insecticidal soap or water. Aphids can cause leaves to wilt or become discoloured, and they excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and other pests. To manage aphids, remove them by spraying with a garden hose, apply a soap or alcohol spray, or encourage predatory insects to your garden.
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Encouraging flowering
Snapdragons are commonly grown as annuals, but they can also be short-lived perennials in certain climates. They are cool-season plants, blooming heavily in spring and early summer and slowing down in late summer. Their best flowering occurs in the first year of growth. To encourage flowering, follow these steps:
- Plant snapdragons in a location that receives full sun or partial shade. They need at least three hours of full sun daily and well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
- Prepare the soil by weeding, loosening it with a shovel, and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area weed-free until planting.
- Plant snapdragon seeds directly in the garden or in containers, about 3mm deep and 15-25cm apart. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, for germination, which usually takes 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 21-24°C.
- Protect young seedlings from pests, pets, and weather until they are established.
- After the seedlings have grown their first true leaves and are about 5-10cm tall, transplant them to the garden.
- Space the plants properly to maintain good airflow and prevent fungal diseases like snapdragon rust and powdery mildew.
- Pinch back the young plants to encourage bushy growth and prevent tall varieties from flopping over.
- Fertilization is usually not needed, but if the plants are not developing flower buds, cut them back and add a dose of a balanced fertilizer to stimulate growth.
- Regularly remove spent flowers to extend the flowering season.
- Snapdragons grown in containers may need additional fertiliser during the growing season to encourage healthy growth.
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Growing in containers
Snapdragons can be grown in containers, but tall varieties are not suitable for this purpose. Dwarf varieties are perfect for containers, while intermediate varieties can also be used but may require staking. Choose a variety that is recommended for container growing.
Use a pot with large drainage holes and a minimum capacity of 10 litres. Fill it with a combination of potting mix and compost, or a good-quality seed-raising mix. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than snapdragons in garden soil. During the growing season, container-grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
Snapdragon seeds can be sown directly into the container, or seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted once established. Sow seeds 3mm deep and 15-25cm apart. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 7-14 days at a soil temperature of 21-24°C. Protect young seedlings from pests, pets and weather until they are established.
After the plants have put on their first significant set of blooms, keep them deadheaded to encourage more blooms. Pinch back young plants to encourage bushy growth and prevent tall varieties from flopping over.
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