There’s something about watching flowers bloom that just slows me down in the best way. Snapdragons have quickly become one of my favorite flowers to grow. They add such a whimsical, cottage-style charm to the garden, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for.

Whether you’re filling raised beds, tucking them along a fence line, or gathering a few stems for the kitchen table, snapdragons bring a soft, romantic touch to the garden that’s hard to beat. Let’s talk about why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my garden moving forward, and how you can grow them with ease!

Why Snapdragons Are a Garden Favorite

Snapdragons are one of those classic cottage garden flowers that feel both old-fashioned and magical. They add beautiful height and color, they’re long-blooming, and they actually thrive in cooler temperatures. This makes them one of the first flowers to bring life to the garden in early spring or late fall.

Here’s why I think every home gardener should grow them:

• They’re beginner-friendly: Snapdragons are pretty forgiving and don’t require a lot of fuss.
• They’re long-lasting: With proper deadheading, they’ll keep blooming for weeks.
• They attract pollinators: Bees especially love them, which is always a win for a gardener.
• Self-righting growth – thanks to something called gravitropism, snapdragons naturally grow upright even if they fall over. Their stems bend and adjust to face upward, which makes them resilient and fascinating to watch.
• They make the most charming cut flowers: Just throw a few stems in a mason jar and you have a beautiful and full bouquet.

How to Grow Snapdragons

1. Starting from Seed
If you want to start them from seed (which I recommend if you’re watching your garden budget), start them indoors about 8–10 weeks before your last frost. They take a little patience to germinate – anywhere from 10 to 21 days- but once they sprout, they grow steadily. Ideally, keep them under grow lights until you are ready to take them outdoors.

2. Transplanting Outdoors
Snapdragons like cooler temps, so once the danger of frost has passed and your seedlings are a few inches tall, you can transplant them into the garden. They prefer full sun (although they’ll tolerate part shade) and rich, well-drained soil. It’s a good idea to add a little compost to the soil at planting time to give them a good start.

3. Spacing + Watering
Give each plant about 6–12 inches of space depending on the variety. I tend to push the limit on spacing my snapdragons, but make sure to give taller ones a little more room to breathe. Water regularly but avoid letting the soil stay soggy. You can mulch around the base of the flowers to help keep the moisture in.

4. Pinch + Deadhead
The idea of pinching off snapdragons is pretty split. Some gardeners will pinch back the top growth of seedlings once they are about 6 inches tall. The idea is that will encourage bushier growth. I personally did not do this and have had more than enough blooms. Regardless, don’t forget to deadhead (remove spent blooms) regularly to keep the flowers coming! Toward the end of the season, you can let some go to seed if you want them to self-sow for next year.

Varieties I Planted This Year

• Tall Deluxe – Baker Creek
• Cannes Mix II-III – Johnny’s Seeds
• Tetra Mix – Seed Savers Exchange

A Note on Companion Planting

Snapdragons pair beautifully with calendula, stock, and herbs like chamomile and lavender. I currently have half of a raised bed specifically just for Snapdragons, however, they would make a perfect addition along a fence, house, or mixed in with perennials.

Final Thoughts

Growing Snapdragons is one of those simple pleasures that brings a little color and joy into the everyday rhythm of gardening. To me, flowers are a great no-pressure addition to the garden. I’m not worrying about how many are going to make it or how big they grow, or even how they taste. I’m just growing them for some color and a few beautiful bouquets to bring inside for the kitchen. Whether you’re filling your garden with blooms or clipping a few stems to brighten your kitchen table, Snapdragons are a flower that never disappoints.

Have you ever grown Snapdragons? I’d love to hear about your experience or your favorite varieties!