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Snapdragon

Cut Flower Care Guide

Snapdragons are cool-season workhorses that fill the gap between spring bulbs and summer annuals. Their tall, densely packed spikes come in virtually every color and are a florist staple. They thrive in cool weather and can handle light frost, making them one of the earliest and latest crops of the season.

🌱 Planting Guide

When to Plant Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before last frost. Transplant when seedlings have 4–6 true leaves. Can also direct sow in early spring.

Planting Depth Surface sow (seeds need light to germinate); press lightly into soil

Spacing 9–12 inches between plants; 12–18 inches between rows. Use support netting.

Soil Rich, well-drained soil, pH 6.2–7.0. Amend with compost.

Sunlight Full sun to light shade. Prefer cool conditions — some shade helps in summer.

💡 Tips

Seeds are tiny — surface sow on sterile media under lights
Germination takes 10–14 days at 65°F
Rocket, Madame Butterfly, and Chantilly are top cut flower series
Pinch once to encourage branching — but skip pinching for single-stem production
Snapdragons handle light frost (to 28°F) — great for extending the season

📅 Month-by-Month Care Calendar

Jan

Order seeds. Start planning indoor sowing schedule. Review variety choices.

Feb

Start seeds indoors under lights (8–12 weeks before last frost).

Mar

Continue indoor growing. Begin hardening off earliest sowings.

Apr

Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors. They handle light frost. Install netting.

May

Plants growing rapidly. Pinch for branching (or not, for single-stem). Begin feeding.

Jun

Begin harvesting. Cool spring snaps produce the tallest stems. Continue feeding.

Jul

Harvest winding down in heat. Consider succession planting for fall crop.

Aug

Start fall succession seeds indoors. Pull spent spring plants if heat-stressed.

Sep

Transplant fall succession. Cooler weather brings renewed vigor. Resume harvesting.

Oct

Fall harvest — often the best quality of the season. Protect from hard frost.

Nov

Harvest until hard freeze. Clean up or protect for overwintering in zone 7.

Dec

Review season. Order next year's seeds. Plan fall-planting schedule.