We associate snapdragons with an everlasting summer, bursting with bright colors. Thanks to the different growth heights, the enchanting summer flowers adorn the flower box, while the long-stemmed beauties stand out as backdrops in the perennial bed or vase decoration. Those in the know will be sure to guide the nostalgic gems through the winter months. The following answers to frequently asked questions provide all information about successful cultivation.

Snapdragons bring colorful vibrancy to the summer bed

Plant snapdragons properly

For snapdragons, the starting signal for the planting season is mid/late May at the earliest, as the young plants are extremely sensitive to cold. Place the potted root balls in a vessel of soft water while you prepare the soil in the sunny spot. According to the desired number, dig small planting pits at a distance of 20-25 cm and mix the soil with compost with horn shavings. Plant one specimen at a time so that the root ball is just below the surface of the earth. Please do not step on the substrate, just press it with your hands to pour generously.
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care tips

Guide your snapdragons through a blooming summer season with this simple care regimen:

  • When the soil has dried, water alternately with soft and normal water
  • In the bed, fertilize with compost every 3-4 weeks; in the pot every 2 days with liquid fertilizer
  • Do not fertilize from September if overwintering is planned
  • Cut off wilted flower stalks to a hand's breadth above the ground to encourage rebloom

Are you cultivating a hardy variety or is your garden in a region with mild winters? Then simply dare to hibernate your Antirrhinum. Leave the leaves on the plant until spring and spread out a thick layer of foliage, fixed with pine fronds. After pruning, potted flowers should preferably be placed in frost-free winter quarters.
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Which location is suitable?

Snapdragons unfold their abundance of summer flowers in a sunny, warm and sheltered location. Half-shade locations are tolerated, but are associated with a reduced flower volume. The majestic varieties do best in a wind-protected spot so that their long stems don't get knocked over. The Graces make no special demands on the quality of the soil. The flowers thrive in any good garden soil that is nutritious, humus-rich and, above all, permeable.
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The right planting distance

You draw magical garden pictures with the snapdragon if you arrange the flower in small groups. Due to their slender shape, we recommend a planting distance of 25-35 cm, regardless of the expected growth height. An exception are the majestic Antirrhinum majus, which at a height of up to 120 cm assume a corresponding size. Here we recommend a planting distance of 50-60 cm.

What soil does the plant need?

In order for the snapdragon to be able to spread its powerful root system unhindered, loose, humus-rich and well-drained soil is important. In waterlogged locations with compacted clay soil you will wait in vain for the lavish flower candles. A neutral to slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is beneficial for vitality and florescence. For cultivation in pots and window boxes (€16.99), we recommend rhododendron soil or a mix of flower and ericaceous soil, enriched with lava granules, pumice or perlite respiratory flakes.

When is flowering time?

From June to October/November, the mighty flower candles are in the limelight. Withered stems should be cut off to just above the ground to encourage the growth of new flower spikes. Leave the terrestrial foliage as it provides for the second bloom. Now your summer flowers will gratefully accept a portion of compost or liquid fertilizer to sprout again with fresh strength.
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Cut snapdragons correctly

Cut off a withered flower head in good time before the plant begins the strenuous growth of the capsule fruits. Position the scissors just above the basal leaves from which the next floral column will rise. Give the autumn blooms enough time to self-seed before cutting them off to a hand’s breadth above the ground. In this way, a continuation of the flowering spectacle is ensured next year, should a harsh winter ruin plans for a perennial cultivation. Then cut off the drawn-in leaves in early spring so that the next Antirrhinum generation can thrive unhindered.
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Water snapdragons

Thanks to their strong root system, snapdragons are well prepared for short periods of drought. However, this burden should be the exception. Constant soil moisture is beneficial for growth and abundance of flowers. Water the flowers when the soil has dried. Experience has shown that this is necessary more often in pots and balcony boxes than in beds, where Mother Nature contributes to the water supply with downpours. Ideally, you should alternately water with soft and normal water so that the lime content in the substrate does not accumulate to undesirable levels.

Fertilize snapdragons properly

In the bed, organic fertilizers are excellent for nutrient supply. From June to September, work compost, horn shavings, bark humus, guano (€121.99) or horse manure lightly into the soil with a rake every 3-4 weeks and water again. In pot culture, we recommend the administration of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Diseases

With their lavish array of flowers and leaves, snapdragons are welcome prey for powdery mildew fungal spores. However, the disease can only cause actual damage when the plant is weakened through neglect in care. In the early stages of infestation, a mixture of water and fresh milk in a ratio of 9:1 has proven itself as a home remedy. In the advanced stage, cut off the infected plants and sow them directly in the bed. In the midst of summer, germination progresses rapidly.

hibernate

Competent breeders have taken the hobby gardeners' desire for perennial snapdragons to heart and have developed hardy hybrids such as 'Pretty in Pink' or the stable F1 mix 'Sonnet'. If your garden is located in a region with mild winters or the plants are in a niche with a mild micro-climate, most Antirrhinum majus are suitable for perennial cultivation. This is how you maneuver the flowers healthy through the cold season:

  • Before the first frost, cut off the dead flower stalks down to the basal foliage
  • Pile up a 20 cm layer of autumn leaves on the root disc, covered with needle twigs
  • Only cut off the leaves in early spring

Pots and flower boxes (€16.99) with snapdragons move to a frost-free winter quarters, such as the unheated stairwell, the bright basement room or the garage. Here the plants are watered from time to time so that the root ball does not dry out.
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Breeding snapdragons

The flower spikes that are not pruned produce clearly visible capsule fruits in autumn, bulging with seeds. Collect them, remove the seeds and, after a short drying phase, store them in a screw-top jar in the cool basement until spring. How to propagate by sowing:

  • Sow the seeds on moist seed compost between February and March
  • Do not cover the light germs, just press them down with a board
  • Place in a semi-shady location in the heatable indoor greenhouse
  • At 20-25 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 10-21 days

The strongest seedlings are transplanted into 8 cm pots when they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. Now it is important to place the little snapdragons a little cooler and gradually get them used to full sunlight. Plant the offspring in the bed, in the bucket or in the flower box in mid/end of May.

Snapdragons in a pot

The cultivation in the pot is just as uncomplicated as for snapdragons in the bed. Rhododendron soil or a mix of commercially available potting soil and ericaceous soil are suitable as a substrate. Add a few handfuls of perlite or lava granules for good permeability. Some potsherds above the bottom of the pot prevent harmful waterlogging. How to properly care for Antirrhinum:

  • Water alternately with soft and normal water as soon as the soil has dried
  • Fertilize with liquid every 2 weeks from June to September
  • Cut off wilted flower spikes down to the basal foliage for a rebloom

Before the first frost, carry the pruned plants to a frost-free winter quarters. At temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, water significantly less and do not administer any fertilizer.

Is lion's mouth poisonous?

Its visual appearance already signals the botanical relationship with numerous speedwell plants. Thus, the snapdragon is not completely harmless in terms of its ingredients. In fact, the summer flower is assigned to the weakly poisonous plants, since there are various glycosides and alkaloids in the plant sap and in the seed heads. You should therefore refrain from cultivating in the reach of small children and pets.
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Beautiful varieties

  • Twinny Appleblossom: Magnificent Antirrhinum majus with double, pink-white apple blossoms; Growth height 25-30 cm
  • Pretty in Pink: Rare hardy bright pink snapdragon for borders and vases; Growth height 50-60 cm
  • Royal Bride: Majestic, white-flowering noble variety that exudes a beguiling scent; Growth height 80-90 cm
  • Black Prince: Compact Antirrhinum nanum that presents its deep red flowers in beds and tubs; Growth height 45 cm
  • Rembrandt: Picturesque, noble variety that impresses with two-tone, orange-golden flowers; Growth height 45-50 cm
  • Bronze Dragon: A feast for the eyes with almost black leaves and purple-white marbled flowers; Growth height 30-35 cm
  • Circus Clowns: colorful mixture of medium-high snapdragons for beds and balconies; Growth height 40-45 cm
  • Lucky Lips: Rigidly upright snapdragon boasting pink-white flowers; Growth height 80-90 cm
  • Madame Butterfly: Lovely, double-flowered, long-stemmed premium variety, ideal for the vase; Growth height 75-80 cm
  • Chinese Lanterns: Innovative Breeding of Hanging Snapdragons for Traffic Lights and Flower Boxes; Growth length up to 50 cm

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Vegetable garden