How to grow Snapdragon in Australia
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are cottage garden favourites with tall spikes of velvety flowers in almost every colour except blue. Squeeze the side of a flower and it opens like a dragon's mouth. In most of Australia they are sown in autumn and flower from late winter through spring, and they make long-lasting cut flowers.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Snapdragon in Australia
At a glance
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. |
Where to plant
Snapdragons need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Dig in compost or an organic fertiliser before planting. They are cool-season flowers and do their best through the mild months; hot, humid summers bring on rust and end their season.
Established plants handle frost well, but young seedlings need protection from hard frost.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: sow from March to August for flowers from late winter into spring.
- Hobart and Canberra: sow in early autumn (March) for plants that overwinter and flower early, or from September to November for summer flowers.
- North Queensland: sow in the dry season, from April to August.
- Darwin: sow from May to August, in the dry season.
Choosing a variety
- Tall types (60 to 90 cm), such as Tetra Giants, are best for picking and the back of a border. Stake them in windy spots.
- Intermediate and dwarf types (20 to 40 cm) suit edging, pots and windy gardens.
- Open-faced and double types, such as Madame Butterfly, have azalea-like flowers that do not snap.
- Some series have been bred for rust resistance, but the rust fungus often overcomes this over time.
How to plant
- Sprinkle the fine seed onto the surface of moist seed-raising mix and press it in gently. Do not bury it, as it needs light to germinate.
- Mist lightly and cover the tray with glass or plastic wrap to keep it moist. Keep it warm and bright, out of direct sun.
- Seedlings appear in about 10 to 14 days. Plant them out once they have a few true leaves, or buy seedlings.
- Space plants about 25 to 30 cm apart, so air can move between them.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, at the base of the plants rather than over the leaves. Wet leaves encourage rust and mildew.
Feed every couple of weeks with a liquid flower fertiliser once plants are growing well, for steady flowering.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pinch out the growing tip of young plants when they are about 10 cm tall. They branch and produce more flower spikes.
- Stake tall varieties, as the spikes can topple in wind and rain.
- Cut back spent flower spikes after the first flush to encourage a second round of flowers.
- Snapdragons are short-lived perennials, usually grown as annuals. Plants kept over summer often get rust, so most gardeners pull them out and sow fresh in autumn.
Cutting flowers
For a vase, cut spikes in the cool of the morning when the bottom third of the flowers are open and the top buds are still closed. Strip the leaves below the waterline. They last about a week or more in a vase, and the buds keep opening.
Growing in pots
Dwarf and intermediate snapdragons grow well in pots at least 20 cm wide and deep. Use a good potting mix, keep it moist and feed regularly. Place the pot in full sun.
Saving seed
Leave a few spikes to form seed pods. When the pods turn brown and dry, cut the spikes and shake the tiny seed into a paper bag. Snapdragons also self-seed in the garden, though seedlings from mixed colours may not match their parents.
Companion planting
Snapdragons suit cottage borders and the vegie patch, where their flowers bring in bees.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Rust is the main problem for snapdragons, especially in humid weather and on plants kept into summer.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on the soft shoot tips and flower buds.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Pale yellow spots on top of the leaves with dark brown, dusty pustules underneath. Remove affected leaves early and pull out badly affected plants at the end of the season.
- Downy mildew Pale, stunted shoots with grey or purplish growth under the leaves in cool, damp weather.
- Botrytis Grey, fuzzy mould on flowers and stems in damp, crowded conditions.
Common questions
When should I plant snapdragons in Australia?
In most regions, sow from March to August for flowers from late winter into spring. In Hobart and Canberra, sow in March or from September to November. In the tropics, sow in the dry season. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
Why are my snapdragon seeds not coming up?
The seed is very fine and needs light to germinate, so it must not be buried. Press it onto the surface of moist seed-raising mix, keep it moist and warm, and expect seedlings in about 10 to 14 days.
How do I get more flowers on snapdragons?
Pinch out the tip of young plants to make them branch, feed every couple of weeks once they are growing well, and cut off spent spikes after the first flush so they flower again.
What are the orange spots under my snapdragon leaves?
That is snapdragon rust, a fungal disease. Pale yellow spots on top of the leaf match dark brown, dusty pustules underneath. Water at the base, give plants space, remove affected leaves early and pull out badly affected plants.
Do snapdragons come back every year?
They are short-lived perennials, but in most Australian gardens they are grown as annuals because plants kept over summer often get rust. They self-seed, so new plants may appear.
Are snapdragons good cut flowers?
Yes. Cut spikes when the bottom third of the flowers are open. They last about a week or more in a vase and the buds keep opening.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow snapdragons; RHS: Antirrhinum rust.