Properly plant and care for snapdragons on the balcony
If you are looking for an easy-care, robust and lush flowering plant variety for your balcony, you should take a closer look at the snapdragon. These summer flowers not only look beautiful with their colourful flowers, they are also the ideal source of nectar for bumblebees.
We give you all the important information about the origin, sowing, and care of snapdragons and show you a simple alternative to planting yourself if you don't have time to garden.
Snapdragons: origin and varieties
Snapdragons belong to the genus Plantaginaceae (plantain family). Originally, they are at home in western North America and the western part of the Mediterranean region, where they mainly grow in walls and crevices in rocks. There are more than 40 different-sized snapdragon species. The small and medium-sized variants are particularly suitable for planting on the balcony. The plant is valued for its wide range of different coloured flowers - depending on the variety, they have white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers.
In what conditions do snapdragons grow on the balcony?
Since the snapdragon is originally at home in areas with high temperatures, the plant feels particularly at home in warm and sunny places. Accordingly, the hot temperatures on sunny south-facing balconies cannot harm the snapdragon, but rather have a positive effect on growth. Places in partial-shade are also okay, but the flowers are not quite as expansive and the colours develop less intensively. Conversely, north-facing balconies with little or no daylight are not suitable locations.
How to properly plant snapdragons on the balcony?
The flowering period for snapdragons begins in June and can extend into late autumn, depending on current temperatures. For targeted planting, the plants should be brought indoors between January and March. Cultivation pots with nutrient-poor cultivation soil, into which the seeds are only superficially pressed, are suitable for this. The cultivation pots must then be placed in a cold place, such as the refrigerator, for a period of a few weeks, because snapdragons, as so-called cold sprouts, need a cold stimulus for optimal growth. The seedlings should then be brought to a bright location with temperatures of around 20 degrees, where the young plants will finally sprout. As a rule, the snapdragons can go out on the balcony or in the balcony box from mid-April.
These nutrients are what snapdragons need
For optimal growth, you should provide your snapdragons with the right nutrients and soil. Although snapdragons are generally quite undemanding when it comes to the soil used, growth is particularly fast and good in moist, nutrient-rich soil. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. When cultivating in balcony boxes or tubs, potting soil with added compost and rhododendron soil is suitable to ensure a long-term supply of nutrients. Important: snapdragons feel less comfortable in calcareous soils - you should therefore avoid them.
How often should I water snapdragons on the balcony?
In order for snapdragons to bloom particularly beautifully, a few care instructions should be observed. Use pots and flower boxes with expanded clay drainage, as the plant does not tolerate permanent waterlogging. Of course, snapdragons still need regular water.
Our tip: if the plants droop their leaves, this is an indication that they are thirsty. Since it does not tolerate lime well, it is best to use rainwater or at least still water for watering. To additionally stimulate growth, a biological liquid fertilizer should be used every two weeks.
Caring for snapdragons on the balcony
Snapdragons are very modest; under favorable conditions and in the right location, the summer plant hardly needs any additional care. However, it is possible to stimulate the growth of the flowers by regularly pruning the snapdragons. This means that faded flowers and shoots are removed so that the snapdragon can put its energy into growing new parts of the plant.
Since the plant is susceptible to lice and fungal diseases such as downy and powdery mildew, you should check your snapdragons regularly for a possible infestation. If you notice any of these diseases, the affected parts must be removed immediately.
Can you overwinter snapdragons on the balcony?
Although snapdragons are cultivated like annual flowers, they can sometimes survive the winter in local areas. Of course, the temperatures are particularly important: Snapdragons on the balcony do not tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees. To hibernate, you can put them in a sheltered place and shield them from the wind and cold with fleece.
The Plant Box: Simply have summer flowers delivered
Would you like to decorate your balcony with beautiful summer flowers? But you don't have the time to garden, or you don't have the green thumb? Then the plant and flower arrangements from The Plant Box are for you! We deliver the creatively put together creations of our plant experts directly to your home at the perfect time. All you have to do is place them in your balcony box and you can enjoy the blossoms, shrubs, and grass right away. Meet our Bee Bee Box - it also contains the snapdragon!
your advantages
- Perfectly arranged flower arrangements, suitable for the current season
- Seasonal flowers - sustainable and regional
- Many different combinations, suitable for every taste and balcony
- Perfect for this: our balcony boxes made from recycled materials
Do you find it difficult to choose one of our boxes, or you would like more variety for your balcony? Then we recommend our balcony box subscription. Members of the Plant Lovers Club receive a refill for their balcony box five times a year - and can look forward to a freshly planted balcony all year round.
