When to plant Snapdragon in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Raise snapdragon seedlings from February to May in autumn or August to October in late winter and spring, pressing the fine seed onto the surface at about 3 mm deep. Germination takes 14-28 days, and plants flower in around 110-120 days. Transplant them out 30-40 cm apart with 20-30 cm between rows in a sunny, well-drained bed. In temperate gardens across Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, an autumn sowing gives the strongest, earliest spring display, as snapdragons are cool-season flowers that resent summer heat.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: February to May and August to October.

Growing notes

Snapdragons are cool-season flowers at their best in autumn, winter and spring across temperate Australia. The seed is tiny and needs light to germinate, so scatter it on the surface of a fine seed mix, press gently, and do not bury it. Keep the tray cool and evenly moist, as warm conditions actually slow germination for this plant.

Two problems commonly trip growers up. The first is leggy, sparse plants: pinch out the growing tip when seedlings reach about 10 cm to force branching, which gives many more flower spikes. The second, and the classic failure in humid temperate summers around Sydney, is rust, a fungal disease showing as brown pustules on the undersides of leaves. Space plants for airflow, water at the base rather than overhead, and remove affected leaves early; badly infected plants are best pulled out.

Grow snapdragons in full sun in cooler months, moving to a little afternoon shade where summers are hot. Feed lightly and deadhead spent spikes to keep new flowers coming for weeks. Tall varieties may need staking in windy spots. As the weather warms and flowering fades, pull them out and replace with a summer flower, or leave a few to self-seed for next season's display.

Snapdragon at a glance

Common questions

When should I sow snapdragons in Sydney?

Sow in autumn from February to May for the best and earliest spring flowering, or in late winter to early spring from August to October. Sydney's mild temperate winters suit snapdragons as a cool-season flower.

How do I get bushier snapdragons?

Pinch out the growing tip when seedlings reach about 10 cm tall. This forces the plant to branch and produce many more flower spikes rather than a single tall stem.

What are the brown spots on my snapdragon leaves?

That is most likely rust, a fungal disease common in humid conditions. Improve airflow by spacing plants well, water at the base rather than overhead, and remove affected leaves promptly.

Do snapdragons come back every year?

They are technically short-lived perennials but are usually grown as annuals, as they fade in summer heat. Left in place, they often self-seed and reappear the following cool season.

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