Snapdragon in Zone 8a & 8b
Antirrhinum majus
Yes, snapdragon grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Jan 21–Jan 28 and plant out Mar 18–Mar 25.
When to plant snapdragon in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Jan 21–Jan 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 18–Mar 25 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 16–Jun 23 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of snapdragon in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 1–Apr 8
- MarigoldApr 1–Apr 8
- Bells of IrelandMar 18–Mar 25
- CarnationMar 18–Mar 25
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Mar 18–Mar 25
- Phlox (Annual)Mar 18–Mar 25
Snapdragons are one of the few flowers here that tolerate a light frost, which makes their planting window a little more forgiving than most, though the long indoor lead time before that still catches people off guard. What you're waiting for is a 1- to 3-foot spike of two-lipped, dragon-mouth blooms in almost any color you'd want.
How snapdragon fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Snapdragon needs about 90 days from transplant to first bloom.
Snapdragon planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Mar 18–Mar 25 | May 13–May 20 | Aug 11–Aug 18 |
| 3a & 3b | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 23–May 30 | Aug 21–Aug 28 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 13–Mar 20 | May 8–May 15 | Aug 6–Aug 13 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 8–Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | Aug 1–Aug 8 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 21–Feb 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jul 17–Jul 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Jan 21–Jan 28 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | Jun 16–Jun 23 |
| 9a & 9bFall window | Aug–Dec | Oct–Feb | ~90 days after transplanting |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Jul–Dec | Sep–Feb | ~90 days after transplanting |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for snapdragon.
Where to buy snapdragon seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's snapdragon seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Rocket series: Johnny's lists this as the standard for field-cut snaps, 24-36 inches tall with a wide color range, tolerant of light frost and flowering well under long days. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing snapdragon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Snapdragon in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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