Rocket Mix
Antirrhinum majus
Photo: NASA · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)
Rocket Mix is an easy-to-grow hybrid flower variety that reaches maturity in 120 days. It produces vibrant, mixed-colored blooms with delicate petals ideal for ornamental gardens and cut flower arrangements. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with minimal soil preparation, this variety stands out for its distinctive floral flavor with a subtle bitter undertone, making it a sophisticated choice for upscale culinary garnishes. Best used sparingly to add visual appeal and sophisticated taste notes to gourmet dishes.
Harvest
120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
7–10
USDA hardiness
Height
0-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Rocket Mix in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Rocket Mix · Zones 7–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Succession Planting
Rocket Mix snapdragons are cool-season performers that fade once daytime highs push consistently past 85°F — which in Georgia means they're largely done by late June. For a longer cutting season, start a first round indoors in February, transplant out in April, then start a second tray indoors in late March to transplant in May. That gives you two overlapping flushes rather than one big planting that all declines at once.
There's no point sowing after early June in zone 7 — the heat cuts them short before they hit their 120-day stride. If you want fall color, start seeds indoors in late July and transplant in early September when temperatures drop back below 80°F; they'll carry through to first frost with far less powdery mildew pressure than the summer plants ever deal with.
Complete Growing Guide
Flowers well under long days. Tolerates light frost. Group 3-4: considered a "main season" or "all season variety". Mix includes rose shades, cherry, pink, orchid, red, golden, lemon, and white. Edible Flowers: The flowers are a colorful garnish for use in salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is floral and slightly bitter, so use sparingly. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Rocket Mix is 120 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Edible Flowers, Fragrant.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium.
Harvesting
Rocket Mix reaches harvest at 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
A capsule, half hidden by calyx lobes, short-beaked.
Type: Capsule. Length: 1-3 inches.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Rocket Mix flowers are best stored in the refrigerator in a shallow container lined with damp paper towels at 35-40°F with moderate humidity, lasting 3-5 days. Keep away from ethylene-producing fruits. Preservation methods include: (1) Air-drying individual blooms in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks to create dried garnishes; (2) Freezing in ice cubes with water for decorative use in drinks; (3) Crystallizing petals with egg white and sugar for longer-lasting edible decorations. Handle delicately to avoid bruising the petals.
History & Origin
Rocket Mix is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Southwestern Europe
Advantages
- +Rocket Mix flowers reliably in long daylight conditions for extended blooms
- +Tolerant of light frost extends the growing season into cooler months
- +Main season variety provides consistent performance throughout typical growing conditions
- +Striking color range including rose, cherry, pink, red, and white appeals broadly
- +Edible flowers offer unique culinary garnish potential for creative presentations
Considerations
- -Floral flavor is slightly bitter requiring restrained use in dishes
- -Long 120-day maturity means substantial wait before peak flowering
- -Snapdragons susceptible to rust and powdery mildew in humid conditions
Companion Plants
Marigolds and calendula are the workhorses here. Both release compounds that deter thrips and aphids, and they pull in predatory wasps that keep pest pressure lower across the whole bed. Nasturtiums do something a little different — they act as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from your snapdragons and concentrating them somewhere you can deal with them. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, that trade-off matters most in April and May when Myzus persicae populations are climbing fast and the snapdragons are still putting on new growth. Chives at the bed edge add a mild allium odor that confuses soft-bodied insects, and low-growing lettuce or spinach fills the ground layer without competing for root space at the 12–18 inch depth snapdragons use.
Fennel is the one to keep well away — it's allelopathic and suppresses growth in most nearby plants, snapdragons included. Brassicas share several of the same fungal diseases, including botrytis (Botrytis cinerea), and will choke airflow if tucked in too close. Black walnut produces juglone throughout its root zone; the affected area typically extends outward 1.5 times the tree's height, so don't site any cutting bed near one.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and other pests that damage rocket flowers
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, protecting rocket plants
Chives
Repel aphids and improve overall plant health with natural fungicidal properties
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and shares similar growing conditions without competition
Spinach
Compatible root depths and similar water/nutrient requirements
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pest populations
Radishes
Help break up soil and can be interplanted without interfering with rocket growth
Calendula
Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects while repelling harmful nematodes
Keep Apart
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and attract same pests like flea beetles and cabbage worms
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants including rocket
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that stunts or kills sensitive plants like rocket
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases
Powdery mildew, botrytis (gray mold)
Troubleshooting Rocket Mix
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing first on the upper leaf surface in mid-to-late summer
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii or Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives in warm days and cool nights with low airflow
- Crowded planting under 12 inches apart that traps humidity around the foliage
What to Do
- 1.Cut out the worst-affected stems and trash them — don't compost
- 2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or a potassium bicarbonate fungicide; repeat every 7 days
- 3.Next season, keep spacing at the full 18-inch end of the range and site them where morning sun dries the leaves fast
Sticky, distorted new growth with clusters of small soft-bodied insects on shoot tips and flower buds
Likely Causes
- Aphid infestation (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — populations explode fast in warm weather, especially on stressed or nitrogen-heavy plants
- Absence of beneficial predators like lacewings or parasitic wasps, often due to broad-spectrum pesticide use nearby
What to Do
- 1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray from the hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
- 2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap (follow label dilution, usually 2–3 teaspoons per quart of water) directly to the colonies; repeat every 4–5 days for two weeks
- 3.Plant dill or calendula nearby to draw in aphid predators — both are already good neighbors for snapdragons
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Rocket Mix flowers last in a vase or after harvest?▼
Is Rocket Mix a good choice for beginner gardeners?▼
Can you grow Rocket Mix flowers in containers?▼
What do Rocket Mix flowers taste like and how should you use them?▼
When should I plant Rocket Mix flowers?▼
What colors does the Rocket Mix variety come in?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.