Appearance

Appearance

It is an upright to straggling tender perennial, but most U.S. gardeners grow it as an annual. The glossy green leaves are narrow and up to about 3 in (7.6 cm) long.

Flowers

Large, two-lipped flowers line upright spikes. Blooms may be white, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purple, or bicolored.

Flowering time

In much of the United States it flowers from early summer into fall, with the best display during cool weather.

Fruit

The fruit is an oval capsule filled with many small seeds.

Look-alikes

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• garden beds
• borders
• containers

Range

It is native to southwestern Europe and is widely cultivated in the United States.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil. It prefers cool weather and often struggles during long, hot summers.

Growing it

Care

It is perennial in U.S. planting zones 7–10 but is commonly replanted each year. Removing faded flowers can extend bloom.

Propagation

Garden snapdragons are usually started from seed.

Connected species

Pollinators

Bees land on the lower lip and push the flower open to reach nectar.

Name and classification

About the name

Common snapdragon and garden snapdragon are also used for this species.

Varieties and forms

• Cultivars are often grouped as dwarf, intermediate, or tall plants.
• Some cultivars have open, butterfly-like flowers instead of the usual closed mouth.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed