Flowers & Herbs

How to Grow Snapdragons – Kings Seeds NZ

Candy Rose 07/08/26

How to Grow Snapdragons

Learning how to grow snapdragons from seed opens the gate to months of colour, tall vase-worthy stems, and flowers children cannot resist squeezing. Also called Antirrhinum, this cottage garden favourite grows beautifully across New Zealand when sown on the surface, kept evenly moist and given plenty of light.

Kings Seeds has supplied quality seeds NZ-wide for over 48 years, helping gardeners raise flowers with confidence. If you want to buy seeds from Trusted Seeds NZ specialists, our Antirrhinum range offers varieties for borders, pots and cutting gardens. Growing your own flowers can begin with one tiny packet.

What is a Snapdragon?

A snapdragon flower is the bloom of Antirrhinum majus, a much-loved cottage garden plant with upright spires and velvety, two-lipped florets. Gently squeeze each blossom near its base, and the little dragon mouth appears to open. It is easy to see why children have adored them for generations. You’ll even find some of the seedheads resemble tiny skulls when dry if you look closely.
Colours range from white and lemon through peach, pink, red, burgundy and purple. Some selections carry two shades while double forms have full, frilled petals.

Are snapdragons perennials? Botanically, they are short-lived perennials. Across New Zealand, most gardeners treat them as hardy annuals because first-season flowering is strongest. Plants may survive winter in mild, sheltered places. Cold, exposed or wet conditions make that less likely, so fresh annual sowings give the most dependable display.

Different Varieties of Snapdragon

Choose according to where it will grow and how you want to use every blossom.

Tall varieties suit borders, flower farms and cutting patches. Their 60 to 90cm stems make beautiful bouquets. Antirrhinum Rocket Mix F1 provides many rich shades.
Classic single forms have the familiar dragon-shaped mouth. Antirrhinum Snowflake bears pure white spikes for beds, containers & vases.
Double-flowered choices produce frilly blooms with an old-fashioned look. Madame Butterfly selections suit outdoor rows, greenhouses and floral work.
Organic Bertrands Giant produces sturdy stems in many colours for market bouquets or home borders.

Short varieties fit path edges or containers. Tall plants create height behind lower flowers. Check the packet because maturity size, spacing and timing vary.

Snapdragon flowers are edible!

Growing Snapdragon From Seed

Snapdragon seed is extremely fine. Tip a small amount onto folded paper or your palm before sowing. Scatter thinly across a level tray of quality seed-raising mix rather than emptying the packet in one keen dumping.

Press the seed carefully against the surface but do not bury it. Antirrhinum needs light to germinate. Mist carefully or water from below so those tiny specks stay put. Covering the tray with a clear lid can help retain moisture, although fresh air is important if condensation becomes heavy.

Keep the mix evenly damp, never waterlogged, at 18 to 25°C. Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. A bright windowsill works if seedlings avoid strong midday sunshine.

Once true leaves appear, ease seedlings into small pots. Hold them by a leaf rather than the delicate stem. Grow them in bright light, then harden them off outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Provide cover if frost threatens.

More top tips here.

Snapdragon Care and Maintenance

Water young plants regularly while roots establish. After that, soak the ground deeply whenever the upper few centimetres feel dry. Morning watering lets foliage dry out before evening and can reduce diseases. Avoid keeping beds constantly wet and damp.

Pinching creates branching plants with several flowering stems. At roughly 10cm tall, remove the growing tip above a pair of leaves. For one long central spike, leave selected plants unpinched.

Feed modestly during active growth with a balanced flower fertiliser, following label rates. Too much nitrogen can produce lush leaves and softer growth instead of sturdy stems. Mulch around established plants to hold moisture and limit weeds, leaving a small clear ring beside each base.

Tall varieties appreciate stakes, netting or twiggy supports. For bouquets, harvest when lower florets open and upper buds show colour. Cut during the morning, then place stems straight into water.
When do snapdragons bloom? Most Kings Seeds varieties reach maturity around 80 to 90 days after transplanting, although temperature, sowing date and cultivar affect timing. Expect flowering from late spring into summer after an early start. Later sowings can carry colour further through the season.

Deadheading keeps fresh buds coming. Remove finished spikes above a healthy set of leaves instead of waiting for all blossoms to fall. After the first main flush, trim plants back and give them water plus a light feed. New shoots often appear, bringing another round of bloom.

Watch for aphids around tender tips and check leaves for rust coloured spots. Good airflow, clean watering habits and prompt removal of badly affected material help. Slugs and snails may nibble small transplants, so inspect after damp nights.

Step-by-step Growing Snapdragon Flowers

Fill a clean tray with fine seed-raising mix and firm the top gently.
Scatter a small amount of seed thinly across the surface.
Press lightly without covering because germination requires light.
Mist carefully and maintain even moisture at 18 to 25°C.
Expect shoots within 7 to 14 days under ideal conditions.
Pot seedlings on after true leaves form and handle them by a leaf.
Harden plants off before moving them into a sunny, free-draining bed.
Space according to variety, then pinch young tips for branching if desired.
Water deeply, support tall growth and feed gently during the season.
Pick vase stems or deadhead fading spikes to encourage another flush.

Antirrhinum, comes from the Greek words anti (like) and thin (nose or snout)

Snapdragons FAQ Section

Will snapdragons bloom again if you deadhead them?

Yes. Removing spent spikes before seed develops encourages fresh side shoots and another flush. Cut just above healthy leaves, water deeply and apply a light flower feed. Continued flowering depends on weather, plant health and the variety grown.

What not to plant next to snapdragons?

Avoid vigorous neighbours that crowd their roots, block sunlight or reduce airflow. Very thirsty plants can also compete for moisture. Give Antirrhinum enough room beside smaller annuals, herbs or other flowers with similar sun and drainage needs.

How often should I water snapdragons?

Water newly planted seedlings regularly until established. Mature plants prefer a deep soak when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Containers need checking more often during warm or windy weather. Never leave roots sitting in soggy ground.

Can I plant snapdragon seeds directly into the ground?

You can surface sow outdoors after hard frost danger has passed, but the little seed is easily displaced, buried or dried out. Starting in trays usually gives New Zealand gardeners better control over moisture, warmth and spacing.

Are snapdragons perennials in New Zealand?

They may live for several seasons in mild, sheltered gardens but are commonly grown as hardy annuals. Fresh plants generally flower with greater vigour. Wet winter soil, hard frost and exposed sites reduce their chance of returning.

How long do snapdragons take to grow from seed?

Germination commonly takes 7 to 14 days at 18 to 25°C. Flowering often begins about 80 to 90 days after transplanting. Allow extra time for raising seedlings before they move outdoors, particularly during cool spring weather.

Grow your own snapdragons from seed

Few flower seeds mature into such generous garden performers. Sow a tray now, and those dust-fine specks can become colourful spires, busy bee stops and armfuls for indoor vases.

Shop the Kings Seeds Antirrhinum range to find classic, double, tall and organic choices for your patch. When you want the Best Seeds NZ gardeners can order from trusted seed suppliers NZ-wide, Kings Seeds brings over 48 years of growing knowledge to every packet. Choose your favourites, make room in a sunny bed and let the dragons rise.