Snapdragons are bright and cheerful flowering plants that grow in most climates. If you live in an area that gets a lot of frost, snapdragons do best as annuals, which means you plant them again every year in late winter or spring. In subtropical areas, snapdragons do best when grown as annuals in the cooler months, when the weather is not as hot and sticky. In moderate climates with mild winters and summers snapdragons may survive and flower year round, lasting many seasons.
The flower shape of Snapdragons is like a dragon head, and you can pinch the sides of the flower to make its little “mouths” open and close. Their bright flowers make brilliant cut flowers and they’ll happily grow in garden beds, pots or hanging baskets.
With their cheerful, colorful blooms, snapdragons are a favorite for both garden beds and containers. Their versatility and compact size make them ideal for potted plantings. This guide has everything you need to know about choosing the right snapdragon varieties for pots and caring for container grown snapdragons.
An Overview of Snapdragons for Containers
Most snapdragons grow 1-3 feet tall and do well in pots, but some compact and trailing types are best suited for container culture. Consider these factors when selecting snapdragon varieties to plant in pots
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Mature height – Low growing dwarf and compact varieties under 12 inches tall are best for small pots Mid-height types around 2 feet suit medium pots Avoid tall 3+ feet cut flower types.
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Growth habit – Mounded, bushy varieties work better than bare single stems. Look for plants labeled as having a full, dense form.
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Bloom time – Early, mid and late season bloomers extend interest. Stagger planting times.
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Heat tolerance – Some new snapdragon breeds withstand heat better than traditional types. Ideal for warm climates.
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Trailing types – Cascading and trailing snapdragons are perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes.
Match snapdragon height and form to the scale of your container for the most appealing effect.
Selecting the Right Pot or Planter
Snapdragons grow best in containers at least 8 inches wide and deep. Consider these factors when choosing pots:
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Drainage – Ensure pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Material – Use durable materials like plastic, ceramic, concrete or metal. Avoid fragile terracotta.
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Size – Allow at least 8-12 inches diameter for dwarf types, 12-14 inches for mid-size, and 14+ inches for full grown plants.
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Weight – Larger pots with mature snapdragon plants can get heavy. Use rolling platforms or lighter materials like plastic.
For a continuous bloom display, plant 3-5 snapdragons in one pot. Give them room to grow and arrange shorter types in front.
Getting Potting Mix Ready
Snapdragons need a fertile, fast draining potting mix. Be sure to:
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Use a quality potting soil formulated for containers, not garden soil.
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Add compost or worm castings to enrich nutrition.
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Mix in a controlled-release fertilizer at planting time.
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Fill pots nearly to the rim to accommodate snapdragon’s long roots.
Moist yet airy potting mix encourages healthy root growth and productivity in container plantings.
Planting and Care Tips
With the right soil prep and care, snapdragons thrive in pots:
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Pinch or trim leggy seedlings to encourage bushy growth before planting.
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Set plants at the same soil depth as in the nursery pot. Buried stems may rot.
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Water thoroughly after planting and allow the soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Apply liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season for prolific flowering.
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Pinch off spent blooms to encourage more flower spikes.
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Monitor for common pests like aphids and thrips. Treat promptly.
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Move pots to a sheltered spot in winter or grow as annuals in cold climates.
Proper planting and attentive care keeps container snapdragons looking their best.
Achieving Continuous Bloom
Careful planning and succession planting can give you non-stop snapdragon flowers:
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Stagger planting times over several weeks to ensure a steady supply.
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Start fast-growing snapdragons from seed 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
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Choose a mix of early, mid and late season blooming snapdragon varieties.
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Deadhead spent blooms and fertilize monthly to support repeat flowering.
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Replace declining plants with fresh young snapdragons for summer and fall.
With a range of bloom times and proper care, container snapdragons will flower spring through fall.
Ideal Companion Plants
Snapdragons look fantastic combined with other sun-loving flowers, foliage, and trailing accents in mixed pots. Top companion plants include:
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Petunias – Cascading types complement upright snapdragons.
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Marigolds – Compact tagetes add bold color at snapdragon’s feet.
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Verbena – Low creeping verbena spills over pot edges.
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Lobelia – Deep blue flowers contrast nicely with snapdragons.
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Bacopa – Trailing foliage softens edges of containers.
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Sweet Alyssum – Its dainty white flowers fill space beneath plants.
Blend 3-5 companion plants with snapdragons in one pot for sensational summer color.
Creative Uses for Potted Snapdragons
Beyond traditional pots and planters, also grow snaps in:
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Window boxes and rail planters to adorn patios.
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Hanging baskets lined with moss or creeping foliage.
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Concrete or wooden troughs and wall planters.
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Grouped in colorful midcentury ceramic or glazed pots.
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Metal buckets, watering cans and unusual vintage containers.
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Temporary containers like crates and baskets for movable color.
Have fun grouping snaps in funky non-traditional planters for instant charm!
Overwintering Snapdragons
In zones 8-10, snapdragons may survive winter outdoors. In colder zones, you have options for saving them as perennials:
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Take cuttings in late summer to propagate new plants each year. Pinch and pot up rooted cuttings before frost.
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Dig up and repot hardy plants to overwinter indoors in a sunny window. Cut back before bringing inside.
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Place dormant snapdragons in an unheated garage or cellar over winter. Keep soil slightly moist.
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Cover the pots with insulating materials like straw or burlap if leaving outside.
With protection from freezing, some hardy snapdragons may delight you with years of continuous bloom.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Catch issues early to keep container snapdragons looking their best:
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Leggy growth – Increase sunlight, pinch back stems, or use a growth retardant spray.
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Yellow leaves – Usually a sign of overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Drooping – Can indicate underwatering, disease or root problems. Improve drainage and cut back on watering.
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Few flowers – Encourage more blooms by fertilizing regularly and promptly deadheading spent flowers.
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Pests – Aphids, thrips and whiteflies are common. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil treatments.
Monitoring moisture, sunlight and pests prevents minor issues from becoming major setbacks.
Let Snapdragon Color Shine in Containers
From vibrant dwarfs in window boxes to trailing giants in mixed urns, snapdragons bring non-stop color to containers. They combine beautifully with other sun-lovers and their long flowering keeps pots fresh all season. With the right varieties and care, anyone can succeed at growing snaps in pots!
Preparation & Planting in the garden
Snapdragons prefer a full sun spot in a well drained soil thats been enriched with plenty of compost.
To get ready to plant snapdragons, mix a little Scotts Osmocote Compost Premium Soil Improver into the existing soil. Use a garden shovel to work it into the top 10 cm of soil. Take the snapdragon out of the nursery pot or punnet carefully, and if the roots are too tight, gently tease them apart. Snapdragon in punnets may contain multiple seedlings, so separate out the individual plants before planting. Plant your snapdragons into the prepared soil at the recommended spacing and backfill around each. Water in well and mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Snapdragons can be grown from seeds sown directly or in punnets. Snail seeds can take two weeks or more to sprout, so starting them indoors in punnets can help.
Sow a few seeds at a time into pots or punnets filled with Scotts Osmocote Seed to start snapdragons from seeds indoors. Lightly cover with more potting mix and keep the soil moist and warm while they germinate.
Germination can take up to 2 weeks. Thin out the seedlings and get rid of any that aren’t strong. When they reach 5–10 cm tall, they can be moved to bigger pots to grow on or planted in the garden.
Planters or pots that are at least 20 cm wide and deep and have good drainage can be used to grow snapdragons.
Fill your pot or planter with Scotts Osmocote Premium Potting Mix. Carefully take the snapdragon out of its nursery pot and lightly tease the roots if they are clumped together. If the plants are growing in punnets, separate them out into separate plants. Plant the snapdragons into the potting mix, leaving the space between them as shown on the label. Then, fill in around the plant. Water in well and top the soil with mulch to retain moisture.
Deadhead snapdragons during their flowering period to encourage bushy plants and more flowers.
Sometimes, aphids can damage new growth on snapdragons. If this happens, spray any infestations with Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray.
Slugs and Snails can cause significant damage to young snapdragon seedlings. Set beer traps (saucers full of beer) among seedlings to protect young plants, or use Defender Snail. When to Plant Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec.
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Top 5 steps to growing snapdragons
- Pick a spot with full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
- Snapdragons can be grown from seeds or potted plants easily
- Snapdragons dislike heavy frosts and continually warm, wet weather. If these things happen in your area, grow snapdragons as annuals during the mildest months.
- In the spring, use Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Controlled Release Fertilizer to feed your plants.
- To get a bushy plant with more flowers, pinch off the dead flowers.
How to Grow Snapdragons : How to Plant & Grow Snapdragons in Baskets & Pots
FAQ
How big of pots do snapdragons need?
How do you care for snapdragons in pots?
Do snapdragons like sun or shade?
What goes well with snapdragons in a pot?
How to grow Snapdragon in pots?
If you want to grow the snapdragon in containers, the first thing that you need to do is fill peat pots with a soilless medium. You need to fill this up the night before you plan on planting the snapdragon in the pots. More importantly, after adding the medium to the soil, you should allow it to drain at least a few times.
How do you grow a Snapdragon plant?
Stat Fact: Snapdragon seeds germinate best at temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. Once seedlings have developed sets of true leaves, transplant them into garden beds or larger pots and containers. In pots, make sure they have space to grow – they’re tall plants! Snapdragon seedlings like cool temperatures and moist soil.
Can you grow snapdragons from seed?
You have two options when planting snapdragons in your chosen container and soil. You can sow seeds, or plant seedlings. In season, these are available to purchase at pretty much every nursery (and home goods store, and grocery store…) out there. Snapdragons grow well from seed, but the process takes longer.
Can snapdragons grow in containers?
Snapdragons are not well suited to growing in containers in the heat of summer. Full sun locations will promote the most prolific blooms. They can also tolerate part sun locations. Choose a planter with drainage holes that is both wider and deeper than your plants.