How to grow Snapdragon in Australia
Grow in full sun in fertile, well drained soil. Water at the base to keep foliage dry and reduce rust and mildew.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 25 cm
- Time to harvest: 70 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | March to August | |
| Perth & WA | March to August | |
| Tasmania | March, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov or early autumn. Handles light frost well. |
| Canberra & ACT | March, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov, or in March for plants that overwinter and flower early. Handles frost well once established. |
| North Queensland | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug. A cool month annual here, finished by the build up. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August | Dry season May to Aug. SEQ Mar to Apr sowings land in the wet. |
Varieties
- Madame Butterfly Mix
- Tetra Giants Mix
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Cut spikes when the lower third of flowers are open and the top buds still closed. Cut stems long; regular cutting brings on more flower spikes.
Storage
Cut flowers last 7 to 10 days in a vase. Remove lower leaves below waterline. Self-seeds for future seasons.