How to Grow Snapdragons

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Members of the foxglove family, snapdragons are native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. These delicate and colorful annuals are popular in the florists bouquet as well as in the flower bed, blooming in hues that range from soft pastels to rich shades of red and gold. These fragrant flowers are easy to grow in containers or in the garden and are prolific bloomers, often developing so many flowers that their foliage is completely hidden from view. With varieties that range in height from 1 to 3 feet, snapdragons can be perfect as the backdrop to a flowerbed or to add a splash of color at the front border, and their strong, spiky stems make them ideal cutting flowers to bring a bit of the garden indoors.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Growing snapdragons from seed requires an early start, as germination can take three weeks or more. For spring planting, seeds should be started indoors approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Seedlings can be transplanted 8 to 9 weeks after sprouting. If you use seedlings purchased from a garden center, choose plants that are healthy looking, with vibrant green leaves and strong stems. If possible, avoid plants that have developed buds or blossoms, as transplanting is often more stressful on plants that have begun the blooming process.

Step2

Planting snapdragon seedlings should be done in soil that is rich in organic matter and light enough for good drainage. Snapdragons grow best in a soil with a negative pH and prefer full sunlight, although they will tolerate light shade. Place your seedlings six to eight inches apart for shorter snapdragon varieties, or twelve inches apart for the taller ones. Keep the soil moist around snapdragons, but not soggy, and fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks.

Step3

Blooming season for snapdragons begins in the late spring. As these plants prefer cool temperatures, flowers generally wilt away with the approach of the summer heat. However, don't be in a hurry to pull your snapdragon plants from the garden after those spring blooms have faded, as snapdragons often will bloom again in the early fall as the cooler temperatures return. Be sure to deadhead snapdragons during the blooming season to encourage maximum flower production.