When to plant Snapdragons in the UK

Antirrhinum majus

Snapdragon
Snapdragon · Antirrhinum majus

A half-hardy bedding flower for a bright, long-running display in a sheltered UK border or container. Start seeds under cover, then plant out after frost risk has passed and keep deadheading for a long flowering season.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Sow indoors February to March, plant out May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    late February to late March UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Sow seeds thinly on the surface of moist compost in modules or trays around late February to late March. Do not cover them, as light helps germination. Keep them at in a bright place and water gently from below.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    early March to late April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, move them into small pots and grow them on from early March. Keep the compost just moist and give them plenty of light so they do not get leggy.

  3. 03

    Harden Off

    early May to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Acclimatise the young plants outside over early May to late May. Put them out for a few hours at first, then leave them out longer each day so they can handle cooler air and sun without a setback.

  4. 04

    Plant Out

    mid-May to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant into final positions from mid-May, spacing them apart. Water in thoroughly straight away and keep fleece handy if a cold snap is forecast.

  5. 05

    Deadhead & Maintain

    mid-June to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Remove fading flowers regularly from mid-June so the plants keep flowering rather than putting energy into seed. Water during dry spells and feed lightly every 14 days to keep growth steady through the season.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Snapdragon to consider

Rocket F1

Tall, upright plants with strong stems and good weather tolerance.

Sonnet Mixed

A reliable half-hardy group with a wide colour range and neat growth.

Madame Butterfly

Double-flowered blooms on branching plants, good for cutting and borders.

Twinny Mix

Compact, double-flowered plants suited to pots and the front of borders.