Garden snapdragon, Common snapdragon, Lion’s mouth, Calf’s snout
Antirrhinum majus, commonly called snapdragon, is a cool-season, short-lived perennial often grown as an annual bedding plant. Upright, branching stems carry narrow, lanceolate leaves and spires of distinctive bilabiate flowers that “snap” when gently pinched, a trait that delights children and facilitates bumblebee pollination. Cultivars span dwarf to tall forms (15–90 cm/6–36 in) and an extensive palette from pastels to saturated jewel tones, including bicolors and speckled selections. Blooming best in spring and fall, plants slow or cease flowering in summer heat but often resume with cooler nights. Deadheading or cutting for bouquets encourages continuous spikes. Well-drained, moderately fertile soil and good air circulation help prevent common issues such as rust, powdery mildew, thrips, and botrytis. Snapdragons are non-toxic, deer-resistant, lightly fragrant in some varieties, and excellent for borders, cottage gardens, and containers. In mild climates they may overwinter; elsewhere they’re replanted each season for dependable color and long-lasting cut flowers.
Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Provide roughly 2.5 cm (1 in) of water per week from rain or irrigation, increasing modestly in sandy soils or containers. Water deeply at the base in the morning so foliage dries quickly, reducing rust and botrytis. Allow the top 2–3 cm (about 1 in) of soil to dry between waterings; mulch lightly to moderate swings. In hot, windy weather, check pots daily—snapdragons wilt when dry but recover quickly after watering.
Provide full sun (6–8+ hours daily) for sturdy stems and maximum bloom. In regions with intense summer heat, offer light afternoon shade to keep plants cooler and extend flowering. Too much shade leads to spindly growth and fewer spikes. Indoors or under cover, supply very bright light (12–14 hours with supplemental LEDs if needed) and strong air circulation to minimize disease. Avoid overcrowding that shades lower foliage.
Prepare beds with compost and a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting. During active growth and flowering, feed every 2–4 weeks with a dilute, water-soluble bloom fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 15-30-15 at half strength). Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes soft growth and fewer blooms. Maintain soil pH near 6.2–7.0 and even moisture so nutrients remain available. Container plants need lighter, more frequent feeding due to leaching and faster media drying.
Snapdragons thrive in cool conditions: days 15–24°C (60–75°F) and nights 4–13°C (40–55°F). They tolerate light frost once established but struggle in prolonged heat above 27–30°C (80–86°F), when flowering often stalls. In hot-summer climates, grow them in fall, winter, and early spring; in cooler regions, spring through early summer is ideal. Overwintering as short-lived perennials is possible in USDA Zones 7–10 with excellent drainage and a light winter mulch to protect crowns.
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