Growing Guide • Snapdragons

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on growing snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)! Snapdragons are a fantastic choice for adding vibrant color and unique texture to your bouquets. Known for their tall spikes of blooms in a variety of striking colors, snapdragons are a favorite among florists and gardeners alike. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting snapdragons to create stunning floral arrangements. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you’ll find the tips and techniques here will help you grow healthy, beautiful snapdragons for your bouquets.

plant life cycle

Lifecycle

Annual

planting season

Planting Season

Succession Planting, Spring

plating depth

Planting Depth

Surface Sow

germination time

Germination

10-14 Days

water needs

Water Needs

Average

light needs

Light Needs

Full Sun

Time to Bloom

90 to 120 days

Harvest Season

Late Spring - Fall

  • When sowing snapdragon seeds indoors using soil blocks, start by preparing a well-draining seed-starting mix and moistening it until it holds together without being too wet. Use a soil block maker to form small, firm blocks. Once the blocks are ready, carefully sprinkle one or two tiny snapdragon seeds onto the surface of each block. Since snapdragon seeds need light to germinate, lightly press the seeds into the surface without covering them with additional soil. Mist the blocks gently to keep them moist and place them under grow lights, maintaining a temperature of around 60-70°F. Germination usually occurs within 10-14 days. Keep the blocks consistently moist but avoid waterlogging to promote healthy seedling growth.

  • Early Spring (Late February to Early March)

    • Start Indoors with Grow Lights: Sow your first batch of snapdragon seeds indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Keep them under grow lights in a warm environment (60-70°F) for strong germination and growth.

      Transplant to Unheated Greenhouse: Once seedlings are established (after 4-6 weeks), transplant them to your unheated greenhouse in mid to late April, protecting them from frost.

      Bloom Time: This batch will bloom from late spring to early summer (May to June).

    • Indoor Sowing for Second Batch: Start the second batch of seeds indoors under grow lights in late March.

    • Transplant to Greenhouse or Outdoors: Transplant these seedlings to your unheated greenhouse or directly outdoors in mid-May, after the last frost.

    • Bloom Time: Expect these snapdragons to bloom from late June to July.

    • Direct Sowing or Indoor Start: Start the third batch of seeds directly outdoors or indoors under grow lights in late April.

    • Transplant Outdoors: Move the seedlings outdoors by late May to early June.

    • Bloom Time: This batch will bloom from July to August.

    • Direct Sow Outdoors: For your final batch, direct sow seeds outdoors in late May or early June when temperatures have warmed up consistently.

    • Bloom Time: This last batch will provide blooms in late summer to early fall (August to September).

Summary of Staggered Bloom Plan

First Planting: Start seeds indoors under grow lights in late February to early March. Transplant to an unheated greenhouse in mid-April. Blooms by May-June.

Second Planting: Start seeds indoors in late March, transplant outdoors after the last frost in mid-May. Blooms by June-July.

Third Planting: Sow seeds indoors or directly outdoors in late April, transplant outdoors by late May. Blooms by July-August.

Final Planting: Direct sow outdoors in late May to early June. Blooms by August-September.