Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is an annual flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family. It grows 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall and 20–35 cm (8–14 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Snapdragon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Snapdragon at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 10–14 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Snapdragon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Snapdragon is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Snapdragon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Snapdragon in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Butchart Gardens (40 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about Snapdragon
- How far apart should I plant Snapdragon?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Does Snapdragon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Snapdragon need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Snapdragon?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Snapdragon flower?
- About 10–14 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Snapdragon poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Snapdragon is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Snapdragon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Snapdragon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Short-lived perennial usually grown as an annual.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Hebe Veronica speciosa
- Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia
- Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata