How to Harvest Snapdragon Seeds
Annual flowers may only live for one season, but they add vibrant color to the garden during their short lives. Snapdragons are profusely blooming annuals that are available in a range of colors, suitable for beds and borders throughout the garden. Instead of purchasing new plants each year, save seeds from your garden snapdragons and save money when you replace them each spring. Snapdragons produce an abundance of seeds from a single flower, so only a few pods must be harvested to replenish your seed stock.
Cut off the flower stalk with a pair of garden shears once the flowers have withered and seed pods have formed. Collect before the seed pods begin forming holes and spilling seeds. Seed pods are light to dark brown, round and are produced in clusters along the flower stalk.
Strip the seed pods from the flower stalks and place them in a bowl. Set the bowl in a warm, dry room for two weeks so the seeds finish maturing.
Shake the seed pods over a bowl so that the seeds fall out and into the bowl. Squeeze pods lightly to open if they have not already begun to split.
Label a jar or envelope with the snapdragon variety or color and the year harvested. Place the seeds inside and store in a cool, dry place until you are ready to replant them.
Snapdragons can grow anywhere from 8 inches to 3 feet tall, depending on variety. Each stem sports multiple tubular flowerheads that have a characteristic two-lipped or pouched configuration. To get the greatest number of flowers from snapdragons and encourage reseeding, use good cultural practices. Leave flowerheads to overwinter. Tried and true favorites include the "Liberty" series (Antirrhinum "Liberty"), which encompasses a range of clear colors, including yellow. " If seedlings pop up where they are not wanted, simply remove them with a trowel and relocate. Tall varieties can also be used in color-themed bedding schemes or even formal gardens, though reseeding may be less desirable in those settings.
Even pods that have already split open often still have the seeds inside. If you miss the window for harvesting before splitting, attempt to get seeds out of open pods.
Store seeds in the fridge or an unheated basement or garage.
Moisture, warmth and light can cause seeds to rot or loose viability.
- Even pods that have already split open often still have the seeds inside. If you miss the window for harvesting before splitting, attempt to get seeds out of open pods.
- Store seeds in the fridge or an unheated basement or garage.
- Moisture, warmth and light can cause seeds to rot or loose viability.
- Washington State Extension: Saving Seeds
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Plant Finder -- Antirrhinum Majus
- American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers; Christopher Brickell, Editor-in-Chief
- (American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers; Christopher Brickell, Editor-in-Chief, 2011, p. 510)