Scientific Name: Antirrhinum species
Plant Type: Perennial flower (usually grown as an annual)
Snapdragons are old-fashioned cottage garden flowers and are native to the Mediterranean. They have been grown for generations and add a great deal of color, charm, and fragrance to the flower garden. They make excellent cut-flowers and grow easily in pots. Snapdragons come in just about every shade and combination of red, pink, and yellow.
They sometimes have so many blooms that their foliage below is hidden. These plants come in different varieties, including:
- The dwarf that is 8 inches tall
- Tall ones that are 3 feet tall
As a matter of fact, snapdragons are available in almost every color but blue. They hit a peak in early summer and spring. They stop blooming in the heat, but with sufficient watering, they bloom again in fall.
How to grow snapdragons Flower in Containers:
Snapdragons are easy to grow. Grow them in well-drained garden soil. Now let’s talk about a few things you need to know before growing snapdragons:
Light:
Light is crucial for plants to grow. Snapdragons need full sun, but the plant can stop flowering if it gets too much heat. So, you can say that snapdragons need full sun to light shade.
Water:
Water snapdragons regularly if there is not enough rain. Bear in mind that you do not need to overwater the snapdragon flowers. Just keep the soil moist, but the roots should not stay wet all the time. Simply put, the potting soil should not be soggy.
Fertilizers:
Once every six weeks or once a month, you should feed your snapdragons with a meal of general-purpose liquid fertilizer. It is highly important to feed them when the plants are in bloom.
Zone:
Bear in mind that snapdragon flowers do not bloom well in the hot temperature. Though they need sunlight, the scorching summer sun can burn the plant. Snapdragons do well in the cooler temperature of summer and fall.
Pest and diseases:
It is highly important to know that snapdragons are vulnerable to fungal diseases. Following are the pests you may discover on your plant:
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Mites
- Leafminers
- Slugs
- Snails
- Mealy bugs
Bear in mind that they are sensitive to root rot, so plant them in well-draining pots. Cut off the leaves that look diseased as soon as you see them. Water them regularly but do not overwater them at all. Overwatering can lead to mildew and other fungal diseases. So, you should know when the right time to water snapdragon is.
Propagation:
Start seeds indoors at least two months before the last expected frost as snapdragon germination can take up to three weeks. The plant seeds sprout (after two months). Now transplant the strongest seedlings into the container outdoor. Snapdragon flowers that already have buds would not survive the transplant.
You may be wondering why they are called dragon flowers. Well, they resemble a dragon face that opens and closes its mouth if squeezed. Since snap refers to the dragon bite, they are called snapdragon.