Snapdragon flowers on long stems grown in a greenhouse using farmer bailey plugs starter plants
 

 

Common Name Snapdragon
Genus 

Antirrhinum
Species

majus
Family

Plantaginaceae
Life Cycle  Tender perennial, grown as hardy annual.
Format  Plugs
Plug Care

Transplant within 2 weeks of arrival, or bump up into a larger cell until you can transplant.
Netting / Staking

1 layer of support netting
Temperature Range

Snapdragons like it cold, especially when young. Short drops to 20F or colder are tolerated well.
Spacing


Plant in clusters of 2-3 seedlings, with 6" spacing. Plugs are multi-seeded with this in mind.
Soil Preference

Well drained, generally fertile soil.
Day Length

Facultative long day
Pinching

Pinching will produces more, but smaller stems per plant. I prefer to not pinch, resulting in taller stems with larger flowers. Use a wider spacing when pinching.
When to Plant

In autumn, plant 3-4 weeks before first frost. In spring plant 3-4 weeks before last frost. These cold hardy plants prefer frosty conditions to hot conditions. Plant at the same time as Stock and Campanula.
Harvesting

Harvest when 1/3 to 1/2 of the buds are open.
Post Harvest Care

Harvest into a holding solution. Snapdragons are moderately sensitive to ethylene.
Diseases / Insects


Generally easy growing. Rust is an issue in some environments. Harlequin bugs love snapdragons in summer.
Bailey's Notes

When planted in fall or late winter, snapdragons will reach 3-4 feet tall easily. Different series bloom at different times and you can extend your harvest window by planting several series at the same time.
Resources

Mississippi State University Extension: Snapdragon for the Farmer Florist

Syngenta Flowers Snapdragon Madame Butterfly Culture Guide

American Takii Antirrhinum (Snapdragon) F1 Chantilly™ Series Culture Sheet