Snapdragons’ unique and colorful blooms make them beloved flowers in gardens and bouquets. But what is the meaning of snapdragon flowers? The snapdragon flower meaning varies depending on who you ask, but many people view snapdragons as symbols of strength, mystery, protection, and desire.
About the Snapdragon
Snapdragons are flowering plants in the Antirrhinum genus. Although there are multiple species in this genus, the common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is the species that people frequently grow in gardens and use in bouquets. Its flowers resemble dragons’ mouths that open when pinched, hence the common name snapdragon.
These popular flowering plants are native to parts of Europe and North Africa, but they are currently grown all over the world. You can find snapdragons in a variety of colors, including white, pink, peach, lavender, and maroon. While all of the flowers maintain their iconic dragon-mouth shape, some varieties have simple blooms, while others feature fancy, ruffled petals.
Snapdragons are short-lived perennials that are hardy to zones seven through ten. However, they’re often grown as annuals due to their sensitivity to cold and heat.
Snapdragon Meaning and Symbolism
The snapdragon flower meaning is as varied as the flowers themselves. Depending on who you ask, you may hear that these flowers symbolize protection, strength, mystery, or desire.
Strength
Although snapdragon blooms appear delicate and fragile, the plants are surprisingly hardy. They can thrive in poor and rocky soil where other flowers quickly wilt. And given the right conditions, the plants can grow thick stems that reach over four feet tall!
Snapdragons can also withstand cold environments and outlast late spring frosts that kill annual flowers. Even if cold weather causes their stems to die back, they can regrow new shoots from their base.
This symbolism of strength is one reason why they’re popular gifts for people going through challenging times. Whether it’s the loss of a job, a stressful move, or an illness in the family, a bouquet of snapdragons reminds us of the strength we possess. Plus, it lets us know someone else is in our corner during tough times.
Protection
In medieval Europe, snapdragons were revered for their protective powers. The flowers were believed to protect homes from curses and evil spirits, so it was common to see them growing next to homes and hanging from doors.
The snapdragon meaning of protection holds to this day. Although some people still think the flowers can ward off evil spirits, they’re more often seen as symbols of general protection, security, and guardianship. Planting the flowers near your home or bringing a bouquet into your office can help create a welcoming and nurturing environment free from negative energy.
Mystery
While strength and protection are examples of the positive symbolism of the snapdragon, this flower also has a darker meaning. Some people believe the flowers are symbols of mystery, secrecy, and even deception. This meaning arises from the snapdragon’s unique shape; the outside is clearly beautiful, but what lies inside the dragon’s mouth?
While the snapdragon symbolism is one of general mystery, these flowers are especially fitting for occasions and circumstances involving deceptive beauty. They remind us to look beyond how something appears and ask ourselves if someone’s core is as beautiful as their exterior.
Desire
If you look to the Victorian language of flowers for guidance, you’ll see that snapdragons convey desire and fascination. This symbolism likely arose from the flowers’ intriguing flower shape.
This desire applies to both platonic and romantic circumstances. Therefore, snapdragons are a great way to let someone know you find them intriguing, whether you want to develop a friendship or explore the possibility of a relationship.
Snapdragon Meaning by Color
While you can look at the general snapdragon flower meaning, it’s important to recognize that each flower color holds a specific meaning. Exploring the different colors will help you choose the best one for your needs.
- Red: Passion and romantic love
- Pink: Grace, joy, and affection
- White: Purity, innocence, and humility
- Yellow: Happiness, positivity, and friendship
- Purple: Mystery, wisdom, and admiration
How to Grow Snapdragons at Home
If you want to protect your home from evil spirits or give homegrown flowers to friends, you’re in luck! Snapdragons are easy to grow at home as long as you’re familiar with the proper planting time and care requirements.
Plant Early
Snapdragons are cool-weather crops that thrive in the spring. The summer heat stresses the plants and halts flower production, so it’s important to get your snapdragon seedlings in the ground early in the spring. The seedlings can handle light frost, especially if you protect them with row cover, so it’s fine to transplant them outdoors before your last frost. You can either purchase seedlings from a nursery or start your own seeds indoors a month or two before you plan to transplant.
If you live in zone seven and above, you can even plant in the fall and protect the plants over the winter. Fall planting will result in longer stems and earlier blooms.
Choose the Right Location
Snapdragons grow best in well-draining soil and full sun. Although they can tolerate partial sun, they won’t produce as many flowers. Healthy plants can grow quite large, so provide each plant with at least a square foot of space to expand.
Water Well
Keep the soil moderately moist in the weeks following transplanting. Small plants don’t have robust root systems, so they’re more likely to suffer when the soil dries. Once the plants are better established, plan on watering them once a week during dry conditions.
Water the plants at their base to keep the foliage dry. This will help prevent fungal infections that the plants are susceptible to.
Watch for Blooms
Healthy snapdragon plants will start to bloom sometime in the spring. The plants can flower for multiple months, especially if you harvest mature stems and deadhead old flowers. After you harvest the main flower stalk, the plants will produce shorter side stems.
Learn More About the Meaning of Flowers
Whether you’re a flower lover interested in learning more about your favorite blooms or trying to pick the right bouquet to convey a message, learning about flower symbolism is fascinating. Now that you know about snapdragon symbolism, you can move on to learning about the meaning of other flowers. Start by exploring the meaning of larkspur flowers and learning about gladiolus symbolism.
Once you learn about the meaning of different flowers, you’ll look at arrangements in a new light. Whether you want to brighten your own home with a joyful bouquet or send an arrangement to a friend in need, we’re here to make it easy to order flower delivery online.
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