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Snapdragon Rocket Mix

Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Mix'

These towering snapdragons create dramatic vertical accents with their sturdy 30-inch spikes packed with colorful blooms that children love to 'snap' open and closed. The Rocket series offers exceptional heat tolerance and produces excellent cut flowers in a rainbow of colors including red, pink, yellow, white, and bronze. Perfect for adding cottage garden charm and attracting beneficial pollinators to your garden.

Harvest

N/Ad

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

7–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Snapdragon Rocket Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Snapdragon Rocket Mix · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilRich, well-draining soil with organic matter

pH6.2-7.0

WaterModerate, consistent moisture preferred

SeasonCool season annual

FlavorN/A

ColorMixed colors: red, pink, yellow, white, bronze, orange

Size1-2 inch individual flowers on 8-12 inch spikes

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—

Complete Growing Guide

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. Water: Retaining Wall Garden Pitt County Arboretum Containers. 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

A capsule, half hidden by calyx lobes, short-beaked.

Type: Capsule. Length: 1-3 inches.

Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut snapdragons last 7-10 days in the vase when properly conditioned. Immediately after cutting, plunge stems into cool water and recut the ends underwater. Strip all foliage that would sit below the waterline and place in a clean vase with fresh, lukewarm water and floral preservative.

For longer storage, wrap cut stems in damp paper towels and refrigerate for up to a week before arranging. Snapdragons can be air-dried for everlasting arrangements—harvest when flowers are just opening and hang in small bundles in a dark, well-ventilated area. The dried flowers retain good color and form. You can also press individual flowers between heavy books for craft projects, though the three-dimensional blooms don't press as flat as other flowers.

History & Origin

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer
+Attracts: This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
+Wildlife value: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and other pests that commonly attack snapdragons

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on snapdragon pests

Petunias

Similar growing requirements and help deter aphids and tomato hornworms

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from snapdragons

Lobelia

Complementary growth habit and attracts pollinators while having similar water needs

Calendula

Attracts beneficial insects and helps repel aphids and whiteflies

Dianthus

Similar cool-season preferences and helps deter rabbits and deer

Pansies

Compatible cool-weather annuals with similar growing conditions

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produce juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill snapdragons

Sunflowers

Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of smaller flowering plants

Fennel

Strong allelopathic effects that inhibit growth of most companion plants including snapdragons

Nutrition Facts

Calories

15kcal(1%)

Protein

1.03g(2%)

Carbs

3.28g(1%)

Fat

0.07g(0%)

Vitamin C

28mg(31%)

Vitamin A

97mcg(11%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

39mg(3%)

Potassium

173mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to rust and downy mildew

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Rust, powdery mildew, damping off

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Snapdragon Rocket Mix take to bloom from seed?▼

Snapdragon Rocket Mix typically takes 12-14 weeks from seed to first blooms when started indoors. If you start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last frost and transplant on schedule, expect flowers about 2-4 weeks after transplanting. Direct-sown seeds take longer—usually 16-20 weeks total from sowing to blooming.

Do Snapdragon Rocket Mix need full sun or can they take shade?▼

Snapdragon Rocket Mix performs best in full sun to partial shade, needing at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In hot climates (zones 8-10), they actually benefit from afternoon shade to extend blooming. Too much shade results in weak, floppy stems and fewer flowers, while intense all-day sun in hot weather can cause premature bloom decline.

Can you grow Snapdragon Rocket Mix in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers at least 12 inches deep and wide to accommodate their 30-inch height and extensive root system. Choose heavy pots to prevent tipping, and install stakes early. Container plants need more frequent watering and feeding than garden-grown snapdragons. In hot climates, containers allow you to move plants to cooler locations during heat waves.

Are Snapdragon Rocket Mix good for beginners?▼

Snapdragon Rocket Mix rates as easy to moderate for beginners. The main challenges are the tiny seeds and timing—starting them early enough for cool weather blooming. Once established, they're quite forgiving and don't require intensive care. Their disease resistance and clear growing requirements make them more beginner-friendly than many tall flower varieties.

When should I plant Snapdragon Rocket Mix seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last spring frost date for summer blooms. In mild winter areas (zones 8-10), sow in late summer or early fall for winter-spring flowering. Direct sowing works best in early spring, 2-3 weeks before the last frost when soil can be worked. Avoid planting when hot weather is approaching.

Do Snapdragon Rocket Mix come back every year?▼

Snapdragon Rocket Mix are annuals in most climates and won't return the following year. In zones 9-10 with mild winters, they may act as short-lived perennials or readily self-seed. However, since they're hybrids, self-seeded plants won't match the parent's characteristics. Most gardeners replant fresh seeds or transplants each growing season for best results.