Double Your Snapdragon Stock: A Simple Guide to Propagation

Written by Gina Rothenberger, Designer for Waverly Flower Co. and Owner of Roth Flower Farm in Harleysville, PA

Snapdragons are a fantastic addition to any garden, producing stunning, spike-like flowers that add height and color to arrangements. Since snapdragons typically require pinching for more blooms, they provide a great opportunity to use the ‘pinched’ cuttings to expand your snapdragons and create a beautiful, vibrant garden.

Starting Snapdragon Seeds

Starting snapdragons from seed is a cost-effective and rewarding way to grow these plants, but they require an early start for the best results. Begin seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost. For those of us in zone 7A, this means around February to early March. You can use a seed tray with well-draining seed-starting mix or soil blocks (my favorite technique!). Lightly press seeds onto the soil surface and cover them with a thin layer of vermiculite, as snapdragons need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the tray in a bright spot with indirect light or under a grow light. Once the danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings and transplant them into the garden.

Pinching for More Blooms

Pinching encourages fuller plants and more blooms by stimulating lateral growth.  When the plant reaches 5-6” tall with two sets of true leaves, use clean snips or scissors to cut just above a leaf node. This results in the plant producing multiple stems, resulting in a bushier plant with far more flowers throughout the season. (For more information, check out our detailed guide, "Why, If, When, and How to Pinch for Seedlings.")

Propagating with Cuttings

Instead of discarding the pinched tops, use them to grow new plants! Once you’ve pinched the top, dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder; I use Garden Spot TakeRoot, which can be purchased on Amazon or at any local garden center. Make sure you have moist, well-draining soil in a tray or soil blocks ready for the transfer. Use a pencil to create a hole in the soil, then place the cutting into the hole and gently firm the soil around the base to secure it. Continue caring for the new plant under grow light for a few weeks until it’s safe to transplant it into your garden. This simple process makes it easy to double your snapdragon stock!

Now you’re all set to grow, pinch, and propagate your snapdragons like a pro! Happy gardening!