A Guide to Collecting and Saving Snapdragon Seeds

Snapdragon seeds are easy and fun to collect from spent flower heads in your garden. With proper harvesting, cleaning, drying, and storage, you can save snapdragon seeds to plant more of these beautiful flowers next season

Why Save Snapdragon Seeds

Growing snapdragons from seed you collected yourself has many rewards:

It’s inexpensive – no need to buy new seed packets each year
You can maintain heirloom or hybrid varieties you love.

It’s satisfying to continue growing treasured plants.
You can select seeds from the healthiest, most vigorous snapdragon plants.
It allows you to expand your color palette over seasons.

You can share collected seeds with gardening friends and family.

When to Harvest Snapdragon Seeds

Wait until the snapdragon flowers finish blooming and fade before collecting seeds. The seed pods at the base of the flowers will turn brown and dry as they mature through summer.

Check the pods daily and gently shake them to feel and listen for the seeds rattling inside. This means they are ready for harvest. If the pods burst open, the seeds will fall onto the ground and may be hard to find.

Late morning after any dew has dried is the ideal time to collect dry snapdragon seed pods. Use pruners to snip off the stiff pods where they meet the flower stem.

How to Collect Snapdragon Seeds

Follow these simple steps for harvesting your snapdragon seeds:

Identify pods that are completely brown and brittle when squeezed.
Use pruners or fingers to detach dry seed heads.
Hold pods over a container and pinch or shake seeds loose.

Alternatively, rub pods between fingers over a plate to release seeds.
Discard the dry pods after removing all the seeds.
Repeat daily until all mature pods are harvested.

Cleaning and Drying Snapdragon Seeds

To clean and dry the seeds:

Place seeds in a strainer and rinse off any dirt or debris.

Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels or coffee filters.
Allow seeds to air dry at room temperature for about 1 week.
Gently stir the seeds once a day to ensure even drying.

Seeds should be hard and snap in half when bent rather than squish.

Storing Snapdragon Seeds

Proper storage keeps collected snapdragon seeds viable for future planting.

Place thoroughly dried seeds in paper envelopes or envelopes. Avoid plastic.
Label envelopes with plant variety and harvest date.
Store envelopes in sealed jars or plastic containers.

Keep in a cool, dry spot like the refrigerator.
For best germination, use seeds within 1 to 3 years.
Discard any seeds that are soft, moldy, or discolored.

How to Plant Saved Snapdragon Seeds

In spring, sow stored snapdragon seeds directly in garden beds or start them indoors. Here are some tips:

Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil. Space 2 inches apart.

Keep soil moist but not soaked for seedlings.
Thin young plants to 6 to 12 inches between plants.
Harden off and transplant outdoor-started snapdragons after any danger of frost.

With proper drying and storage methods, your collected snapdragon seeds can deliver bright, nostalgic blooms for generations to come.

Frequency of Entities:

how to save snapdragon seeds: 5
snapdragon seeds: 13
seed pods: 4

How to Save Snapdragon Seeds

FAQ

Should I put snapdragon seeds in the fridge?

Growing Tips: Snapdragon Germination is improved by pre-chilling seed in the refrigerator for 7-10 days before planting. DO NOT cover seed with soil, it needs light to germinate. Germinates in approx. 10 to 14 days with an optimum soil temperature of 65-70 degrees F.

Do snapdragons reseed themselves?

We generally think of Snapdragons as shrubby half-hardy annuals, but they can also be tender perennials. This is because, if left to their own devices, they will self-seed for next year and are also able to manage some cold weather over the winter and possibly continue flowering into winter.

How to grow snapdragons from seed?

Planting Snapdragon Seeds Directly in the Garden Sprinkle snapdragon seeds lightly on the surface of the soil, then press them lightly into the soil. Don’t cover the seeds, as snapdragon seeds won’t germinate without light. Water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist but be careful not to overwater.

How do you collect Snapdragon seeds?

Read on to learn about snapdragon seed collecting. Snapdragon seed collecting is fun and easy. Be sure the pods are dry, then pinch them from the plant and shake the dry, brittle seeds into your hand or a small bowl. If you can’t hear the seeds rattling in the pods, let the pods dry for a few more days before harvesting.

How do you grow a Snapdragon plant?

Snapdragons produce an abundance of seeds from a single flower, so only a few pods must be harvested to replenish your seed stock. Cut off the flower stalk with a pair of garden shears once the flowers have withered and seed pods have formed. Collect before the seed pods begin forming holes and spilling seeds.

How do you store Snapdragon seeds?

Don’t wait too long though; if the pods burst, the seeds will fall on the ground. Put the seeds in a paper envelope and store them in a cool, dark place until spring planting time. Don’t store the seeds in plastic because they may mold. Harvesting snapdragon seeds is that simple!

Can you harvest Snapdragon seeds from Snapdragon skulls?

Breaking open a Snapdragon Skull Seed Pod For Harvesting Snapdragon Seeds. Collecting the snapdragon skulls, you can gather entirely more seeds than you’ll ever use in a single harvest! Snapdragon seeds are great for seed trading and seed swaps. I am so excited to grow them again this year!