Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Mix'
flowerSnapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is the classic cottage garden flower with tall spikes of dragon-mouth blooms in every color from pure white to deep burgundy, plus bicolors and pastels. A cool-season cut flower beloved by pollinators (especially bumblebees, which are heavy enough to trip the dragon-mouth open), Snapdragon is a short-lived perennial usually grown as a cool-weather annual for spring and fall bloom.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Bloom
~90 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
tender perennial
Perennial in warm zones; grown as an annual where winters freeze
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Spacing
6-12 in apart
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Planting Depth
Press tiny seeds on surface; do not cover
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
Light feed at transplant; again every 4 weeks during bloom
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or bloom-booster (higher phosphorus) at first flower
🌱 Growing Guide
Start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost; the tiny seeds need light to germinate, so press into the surface without covering. Transplant after the last frost into full sun on well-drained slightly acidic soil. Space 6 to 12 in apart. For taller cut-flower production, pinch the central growing tip at 4 to 6 in tall to force lateral branching (delays initial bloom by 2 weeks but doubles flower stem yield). Snapdragon thrives in cool weather; in hot summer zones the plant pauses bloom then resumes in fall.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first bloom
Jun 30
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Lettuce — Shared cool-season window; snapdragons add height to mixed beds
- Tomatoes — Snapdragons attract bumblebees that pollinate tomatoes
- Calendula — Companion cottage-garden annual with similar care
- Sweet Alyssum — Low-growing companion that hosts hoverflies and beneficial wasps
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Site for airflow, water at the base, remove infected leaves; rust-resistant varieties available
Blast with water, encourage ladybugs
Space for airflow, water in the morning
Iron phosphate bait around young plants
🌸 Blooms & cutting
For cut flowers, snip whole stems when one-third to one-half of the florets on a spike are open; the rest will continue opening in the vase. Cut in the morning after dew dries and place stems immediately in cool water. Deadhead spent flower spikes through the season to prolong bloom. Pinch back leggy plants in midsummer for a fresh fall flush; snapdragons revive beautifully when temperatures cool.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Pollinator value: Snapdragons are a top-rated bumblebee plant; the dragon-mouth flower requires enough weight to trip open, which only larger bees can manage. The flowers are also visited by hummingbirds and beneficial parasitoid wasps. Snapdragon attracts pollinators to companion vegetable beds and provides nectar over a long cool-season bloom from spring through fall.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.