Species snapdragon
Spiky hairy purple-pink-white hues flowers and green leaves with green stem.

snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is a beautiful and unique flowering plant that stands out from the crowd. This colorful native of Europe and North Africa consists of tall spikes of snapdragon shaped blooms in vibrant shades of purple, white, pink, yellow, and red. The low-growing plants make an excellent addition to any garden bed and attract butterflies and birds. Snapdragon flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and are easy to care for. Plus, their name comes from the belief that if you squeeze their blooms, they will “snap” their jaws. Snapdragons are an amazing addition to your garden and make a great gift.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 10

Flowers:

White, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purple plus bicolor Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Alkaline, Well-drained

Fruits:

red,yellow,purple,orange,pink,white Fruits In Summer Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water snapdragons regularly: water deeply (soak the soil entirely) early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. During the growing season, water snapdragons approximately every 7-10 days, or whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Avoid wetting leaves or flowers to minimize the risk of leaf diseases. In the hottest and driest weather, water twice a week. During winter, reduce watering as they will need much less.

sunlight

Snapdragon plants thrive in full sunlight for at least 6 hours per day. The best time to provide sunlight is direct in the morning or late afternoon, avoiding the heat of the day in the summer. In winter when more hours of daylight are available, they still require 6 hours of direct sunlight or 8 hours of filtered sunlight throughout the day. Snapdragon plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight to be able to photosynthesize properly. While some varieties of snapdragons can still get by with 4 hours of full sunlight, they won’t be as strong as their counterparts that get 6 or more hours.

pruning

Snapdragons should be lightly pruned when they flower to prevent the plant from getting too top-heavy. Pruning can be done during the growing season, however, the best time to do this pruning is late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. When pruning snapdragons, the majority of the dead flower heads, as well as any wilted and decaying leaves, should be removed. It is also important to prune any stems that have thinned out or become damaged, as these are not producing any beneficial blooms. Prune back healthy stems to a height of 3-4 inches from the ground. This will promote new growth and lead to more blossoms for the following season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Snapdragons typically start flowering in late spring, usually in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Antirrhinum majus is usually in July or August.

Hardiness Map

FAQ

Is it easy to grow dog flower plants?

No, growing dog flower plants is not easy. These plants require a specific soil and climate conditions to thrive, such as full sun and well-drained soil. Dog flowers need ample amounts of water, but grown in overly wet conditions, the roots may rot, resulting in an unhealthy plant. Additionally, these plants must be pruned and fertilized regularly in order to encourage healthy new growth and to maintain the desired shape. Lastly, dog flowers are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, so careful monitoring of plants is necessary.

Do dog flowers bloom all year round?

No, dog flowers do not bloom all year round. Dog flowers are a type of plant that is perennial, meaning they grow and bloom in the spring and summer months and then go dormant in the fall and winter. Depending on what species of dog flower you have, blooms may appear again in early spring, or the plant may take several years before it blossoms again.

Are dog flowers easy to propagate?

No, dog flowers, also known as African violets, are not easy to propagate. African violets are hard to propagate from cuttings as the leaves can be damaged, and their small root systems can be difficult to work with. Additionally, these flowers are unlikely to produce blooms if propagated from leaf cuttings. However, African violets can be propagated from seed, although it can be quite challenging, especially for the novice gardener.

Should dog flowers be grown from seeds or cuttings?

Whether or not you should grow dog flowers from seeds of cuttings depends on the variety of dog flower you wish to grow. Some dog flowers do not come true from seed, meaning that the flowers that grow from the seeds will not necessarily be the same as the flower the seed was taken from. If the exact same flower is desired, then cuttings should be used to propagate the plant. However, if you are looking for an interesting mix of colors and varieties, then growing dog flowers from seed may be the way to go.

Is the dog flower plant endangered?

No, the dog flower plant is not endangered. The plant is native to southern New Caledonia, where it can be found in open grasslands, but it is not considered threatened or vulnerable in any way. The plant is very common in the area and the current population trend is stable. As with any species, human activity around the planet can be a threat to the long-term survival of the dog flower plant, which is why conservation initiatives for the area are important.

Is the dog flower plant drought-tolerant?

No, the dog flower plant is not drought-tolerant. Instead, it needs regular watering and full sunlight to thrive and flower. It grows best in well-drained soil, and should have fertilizer applied twice a year. Plus, it is not particularly heat-tolerant and prefers cooler temperatures.