Snapdragons are a flowering plant that belongs to the genus Antirrhinum. It has been cultivated for centuries and is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The flowers of this plant are trendy for their beauty and come in many colors such as red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and white.
This complete guide will provide everything you need to know about growing Snapdragon in your garden; from choosing the suitable soil, planning your season, and feeding and watering your dragons, this is your ultimate guide to growing a successful snapdragon.
Snapdragon Care
I was inspired to start the Snapdragon Plant Care Blog because I wanted to share the information I’d gathered with the public about growing plants. I thought there was too little information on caring for these remarkable plants. Snapdragon is a perennial shrub grown as an ornamental plant worldwide, especially in temperate regions. Native to Central Asia, Snapdragon is easy to grow in warm climates but can also survive cold temperatures and is one of the plants that thrive in partial shade. Snapdragon grows in clusters of tiny, vibrant colored flowers like its cousin, the carnation, that attract insects, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Snapdragon thrives in a cooler environment as against a warm one. If you want to grow it outdoors, you can regularly put it in full sun, but you will have to keep its soil moist and never let it get too wet. Some of the best times to grow Snapdragon are spring and autumn. After it’s fully matured, it needs to be watered only twice a week. It is best to water it more often after planting and provide less water as the plant ages.
Knowledge Before Growing Snapdragons.
When you want to grow snapdragons, your first consideration should be where you will plant them. Snapdragons prefer moist soil, and a sunny to a shady spot is ideal.
Soil and Light Requirements.
When planting snapdragons, you should ideally choose a sunny location so that your plant will get enough light to grow healthy flowers. Ensure that the soil around your plant’s roots is moist by keeping an eye on the soil to see if it becomes too dry. You should water the plant whenever it gets too dry and be especially careful as too much water can wash away the nutrients in the soil if potted. In addition, you may need to rotate your plant’s placement in your home to allow for better light exposure and absorption.
Water and Fertilizer.
Snapdragons are sensitive plants and require consistent care, and for optimum growth, they need regular water and fertilizer. Water them two to three times a week and avoid watering more than four times a week. Please don’t leave the soil around the plants wet for a long time, and don’t leave it completely dry either. Water more frequently during the warm summer months and during the first month after planting and less frequently as the plants become established. It’s easy to overwater snapdragons, which causes root rot, resulting in the plant’s death.
Fertilize them about every six weeks with a liquid fertilizer preferably high in nitrogen
To fertilize:
- Make a half-strength fertilizer solution of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer or softly distribute and integrate a slow-release fertilizer into existing flowerbeds in spring when growth accelerates.
- Use plenty of freshwater after fertilization.
- Mulch the area around the plants to reduce evaporation and prevent the sprouting of weed seeds.
Temperature and Humidity.
Snapdragons can be grown in many different environments, and they thrive in sunnier gardens with full-sun exposure. They do well in areas with cooler temperatures, too. You may need to give them extra light in colder areas, especially during months with shorter daylight hours.
Common Types of Snapdragons.
Chandelier Snapdragons.
As the name suggests, chandelier snapdragons are bushy trailing plants. As a result, their blooms are smaller than those of other types, with leaves and flowers that spread far to the side. Chandeliers are ideal for hanging baskets because of these features.
La Bella Snapdragons.
The “open” white florets of this Snapdragon are very fragrant and densely packed. The sturdy stems from which these butterfly blooms reach a length of twenty inches. Early spring through fall is the best times to plant La Bella in your garden.
Bright Butterfly Snapdragons.
Butterfly snapdragons were first developed in the 1960s as open-faced blooms. Other snapdragons’ petals seem more like open bells than their trademark lips. The blossoms, which come in seven different hues, tend to cluster together a little more than other flowers. Even yet, they may reach heights of up to three feet.
Black Prince Snapdragon.
Snapdragons, also known as the “Black Prince,” feature dark purple foliage and bright crimson blooms. They have long, strong stems that may reach 18 inches tall. This type thrives in warmer climates and gets more sunlight than other varieties.
Chantilly Snapdragons
The trailing stems of Chantilly snapdragons can reach a length of 40 inches. Their flowers are butterfly-shaped, open-faced, and have a mild fragrance. Their tendrils and bronzy hues make them ideal to use in a hanging basket.
Madame Butterfly Snapdragons.
Butterfly snapdragons are a hybrid between a rocket and brightly colored butterflies. However, unlike snapdragons, their petals are not entirely open-faced. In reality, the flowers of madame butterflies resemble those of an azalea. Also, they’re known to appear in darker shades of red and purple and shades of pink, orange, and yellow.
Tahiti Snapdragons Dwarf.
Tahiti Snapdragons are a subspecies of the common Snapdragon. However, they are the tallest in their class, adding an additional 8 inches to their height. However, they feature bi-colored blooms, a rarity among these plants. As a result, many gardeners find them ideal for bedding plants.
Rocket Snapdragons.
Rocket snapdragons can reach a height of 36 inches, making them a very tall kind. It features densely packed florets, robust stems, and a high tolerance for heat. They are also available in eight different hues, making them a flexible option for adding color to your outdoor space.
Sonnet Snapdragons.
It is simple to cultivate Sonnet snapdragons because of their robust root system. In addition, because of their extensive root systems, these plants can tolerate damp conditions rather well. As a result, they start blooming in April with more typical blooms in a range of vibrant hues. In many gardens, they’re a popular choice.
Lucky Lips Snapdragons.
The colorful petals of Lucky Lips make it one of the most eye-catching cultivars. The core of these petals is generally white, but they have a deep red tongue in the middle. Each petal’s rim is beautifully bordered with a cheerful pink as well. The form of their lips can make them a charming addition to your landscape.
8 Top Snapdragons Care Tips
- Snapdragons do well in either direct sunlight or light shade.
- Soil with a pH of 7 or above is ideal for them.
- To maintain their soil healthy, incorporate organic stuff into it.
- Unless there is rainfall, apply approximately an inch of water to their soil every week.
- Do not use overhead irrigation.
- It’s best to sow them in winter when the ground is covered with ice and snow.
- The stems of seedlings should be pinched when they have six genuine leaves to promote branching.
- Regularly remove the deadheads from your snapdragons to keep them blooming for extended periods.
Propagating Snapdragons.
Cuttings can also be used to propagate Snapdragons. To begin the propagation process, locate a leaf node in the center of a healthy stem and cut the stem 20–50 mm below the leaf node. Take off the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem and let the stem dry completely. Rooting compounds can be applied to the cut end. Next, insert the cuttings into the soil and keep the soil at a temperature of 60–70°F until they are fully established. Rooted cuttings can be put into the garden in 2–3 weeks and ensure you keep its soil moist.
How Grow Snapdragons from Seed.
Seedlings of snapdragons can be propagated from its tiny seeds in 3–4 inch pots with rich, well-drained soil, which should be pH-balanced between 5.5 and 5.8. Keep the soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 21 degrees Celsius) and keep the soil moist for roots.
Common Snapdragon Diseases and Pest.
Leaf Spotty Bacteria.
Tiny yellowish-translucent specks gradually grow in size and shape until they have an uneven, crimson core. It thrives at a lower temperature than most other plants. Flower heads may also be affected by the illness. To resolve this issue, remove diseased plants from the population and avoid watering from above.
Botrytis.
Flowers, leaves, stems, and buds are covered with a grey mold caused by this fungus. Botrytis thrives in damp, chilly climates. In a solution, remove the afflicted areas of the plant, avoid watering at night, and prevent getting water on the plant when watering. In addition, make sure your plants are getting enough air.
Powdery Mildew
In humid weather, this fungal illness appears on the tops of the leaves. As a result, the leaves have a white or greyish appearance and may curl.
Keep your plants free of powdery mildew by properly spacing and trimming them.
Rust.
A variety of fungal infections cause rust-colored patches on leaves and stalks. Crop rotation is something you should do to help mitigate Rust’s effects, and don’t forget to remove diseased plants.
Pest and Other Issues.
Cutworms.
The seedlings of your Snapdragons are cut off at the soil level by these insects. A solution would be to wrap the base of the plant with a paper cup collar made out of a coffee cup. Young seedlings are particularly susceptible to cutworm presence.
Mites.
When these mites feed on plant juices, they cause serious harm. When it’s hot and dry outside, they grow like crazy. A magnifying glass is the only way to view them. There’s a chance that your Snapdragon won’t even seem like they’re alive, let alone flower. Instead, disrupted, streaked, and blotchy flowers will appear. Curled, dwarfed, and thicker leaves can form. This infestation can be resolved by getting rid of the most infected plants. Steer clear of plants that have been exposed to pests. Hydrate your plants when the weather is dry.
Leafminers.
Insects that burrow beneath the Snapdragons leaf’s surface to create a serpentine pattern. The flies have black spots on their wings as adults while their eggs hatch into maggot-like larvae. In most cases, they do not harm plants but rather disfigure the leaves.
Spiders Mites.
They are the size of a grain of pepper; these spider-like bugs are a nuisance. Red, black, brown, or yellow are all possible colors. Chlorophyll is lost when they feed on the plant fluids—toxin injection results in white spots on the leaves. The plant often has apparent webbing, and they render the leaf yellow and stippled, causing it to dry up. Arid environments are ideal for their rapid growth and thriving. A solution would be, every other day, a strong spray can be used to eliminate spider mite infestations. To repel insects, use insecticidal soap or hot pepper wax.
How to Get Snapdragon to Bloom.
In a perfect world, the Snapdragon plant would bloom simultaneously every year. But, as anyone who has ever planted a plant knows, things don’t always go according to plan. So as you begin working on your seedlings, it would be smart to start a little early in the season to ensure a successful bloom.
Here are a few steps for a successful Snapdragon bloom.
1. Ensure you are watering your plant at least twice a week, as this will help the roots grow and keep the soil moist. Make sure you keep this routine before you start noticing any blossoms. If you wait too long to provide the plant with enough water, your plant will probably not thrive, and you may see fewer blooms if it survives.
2. You should use a fine mist sprayer as you water your plant. It would be best to aim for a gentle, steady stream of water to prevent your plant from getting oversaturated and possibly leading to root rot if water is left standing in an excessive amount of water for too long.
3. When you finally see some blooms, you should pinch off the stem of the older blooms as this helps the plant develop more blossoms. It’s essential to do this carefully not to injure the plant. When you are pinching off the older bloom, you should aim for the bottom of the petals, so you don’t just rip the petals off instead.
4. The amount of sunlight the plant gets would significantly affect how much it blossoms. It should be receiving about 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day. If the plant isn’t getting enough light, it will never grow or bloom.
5. Ensure your plant gets enough nutrients to help develop and grow your Snapdragon.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is snapdragons annual or perennial?
Snapdragons are perennial. They bloom year after year and continue to do so as long as conditions are right. They are usually planted during late fall or early spring, and to ensure that snapdragons bloom again next year, keep watering and feeding them. They will flourish if you provide them with adequate water and fertilizer.
Do snapdragons like sun or shade?
A plant needs light for photosynthesis and can’t grow without it. Therefore, it should be exposed to about eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight. If you don’t get enough sunlight, your plant won’t grow or bloom.
Are snapdragons easy to grow?
Although many people say that snapdragons are the easiest thing to grow in their garden, some say this is a myth. If you are new to growing snapdragons, there are a couple of things you need to know first:
- The plants will flower as soon as they are ready and as long as they are provided with enough nutrients and water.
- It is necessary to prune the plants after they start to flower and overgrow.
- Provide your plant with enough light.
When to Plant Snapdragon?
Slow-growing Snapdragons do well in cooler temps, and their seeds can be successfully sown directly in the garden if you can wait until after the last hard freeze of spring. Snapdragons can handle light frost.
When Do Snapdragons Bloom?
Snapdragon begins blooming in late May and continues until August. The plant will continue growing and producing new flowers for two years after the first bloom, but the flower production eventually slows down.
How to keep Snapdragons blooming?
It’s not enough to get Snapdragon plants to bloom. To increase the yield of your plants, you need to have the correct amount of light exposure and moisture. If the plant sits in water for too long, the roots become soggy and rot. The same goes for the amount of sunlight the plant gets. It should be receiving about 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day. If the plant isn’t getting enough light, it will never grow or bloom.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, Snapdragons are relatively hardy plants that require little maintenance and offer spectacular foliage during the growing season. Growers often purchase snapdragon seedlings, plant them in their garden, and then wait patiently for the babies to grow into large, healthy adult plants. To keep your snapdragon thriving, you’ll want to provide it with plenty of sunlight, freshwater, and fertilizer.
