Snapdragon plants are a type of flowering perennial that is part of the Plantaginaceae family. They are native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia, and are known for their beautiful, colorful blooms. Snapdragon plants grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, and can reach heights of up to 3 feet. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including yellow, pink, white, and purple. They bloom from late spring to early summer and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Snapdragon plants are easy to care for, and can be grown in containers or in the ground.
Planning Your Garden With Snapdragons
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
Life Cycle | Snapdragons are usually grown as annuals. |
USDA Zone | Snapdragons are hardy in USDA Zones 5-10. |
Cold Tolerance | Snapdragons can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
Days to harvest | Snapdragons typically take between 60 and 90 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
Average size | The average size of a full grown snapdragon plant is between 12 and 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. |
Spacing requirements | Snapdragons should be planted 8-10 inches apart in well-drained soil. |
Sun tolerance | Snapdragons can tolerate full sun to partial shade. They prefer cooler temperatures and will do best in a spot that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. |
Shade tolerance | Snapdragons are tolerant of partial shade but generally prefer full sun. |
Water requirements | Snapdragons need regular watering, but should not be overwatered. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. During the hot summer months, they may need to be watered more frequently. During the cooler months, they may need less water. |
Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing snapdragons depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of soil. |
Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing snapdragons is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Snapdragons are Popular
People like to grow snapdragons because they are easy to grow, come in a wide variety of colors, and have a long blooming season. They are also quite attractive and can add a lot of color to a garden.
Companion Plants For Snapdragons
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for snapdragons include:
Common Pests For Snapdragons
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow snapdragons, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.