Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) in Zone 9a & 9b
Angelonia angustifolia
Yes, angelonia (summer snapdragon) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 28–Jan 4 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant angelonia (summer snapdragon) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 28–Jan 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 7–Jun 14 (~98 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of angelonia (summer snapdragon) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Bee BalmMar 1–Mar 8
- Black-Eyed Susan VineMar 1–Mar 8
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)Mar 1–Mar 8
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Mar 1–Mar 8

Angelonia (summer snapdragon) is a tender perennial in zones 9b-11, but almost everywhere else it's grown as a heat-loving annual, and it's specifically called out by Growing In The Garden as a strong choice for low-desert summer heat. Upright 1- to 2-foot stems carry small spurred spikes of orchid-like blooms in purple, white, or pink.
How angelonia (summer snapdragon) fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Angelonia (summer snapdragon) needs about 98 days from transplant to first bloom.
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | Sep 9–Sep 16 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Sep 19–Sep 26 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 4–Sep 11 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 30–Sep 6 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 15–Jul 22 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 7–Jun 14 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Jan–May | Mar–Jul | ~98 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Apr 23–Apr 30 |
Bloom dates are about 98 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 angelonia (summer snapdragon).
Where to buy angelonia seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's angelonia seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Serena series: Named a Louisiana Super Plant for 2019 by the LSU AgCenter, one of the few angelonia series that can be grown from seed rather than requiring cuttings, which is why it's the option worth looking for by name at seed racks. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing angelonia (summer snapdragon)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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