When to Plant Snapdragon in California

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.

California spans USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Snapdragon planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Snapdragon Planting Calendar for California

▸ Zone 10a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	November 20	Nov 20 – Dec 4
Direct Sow	October 23	Oct 23 – Nov 13
Bloom	January 22	Jan 22 – Jun 18
Fall Sowing	September 24	Sep 24 – Oct 8

▸ Zone 10b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	November 13	Nov 13 – Nov 27
Direct Sow	October 16	Oct 16 – Nov 6
Bloom	January 15	Jan 15 – Jun 25
Fall Sowing	September 24	Sep 24 – Oct 8

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 23	Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow	March 13	Mar 13 – Apr 3
Bloom	June 12	Jun 12 – Aug 28

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 14	Jan 14 – Jan 28
Transplant Outdoors	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 18
Bloom	June 3	Jun 3 – Aug 26
Fall Sowing	September 6	Sep 6 – Sep 20

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 7	Jan 7 – Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors	March 11	Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow	February 18	Feb 18 – Mar 11
Bloom	May 20	May 20 – Aug 26
Fall Sowing	September 13	Sep 13 – Sep 27

▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	December 28	Dec 28 – Jan 11
Transplant Outdoors	February 22	Feb 22 – Mar 8
Direct Sow	February 1	Feb 1 – Feb 22
Bloom	May 3	May 3 – Aug 23
Fall Sowing	September 9	Sep 9 – Sep 23

▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	December 17	Dec 17 – Dec 31
Transplant Outdoors	February 4	Feb 4 – Feb 18
Direct Sow	January 14	Jan 14 – Feb 4
Bloom	April 15	Apr 15 – Aug 19
Fall Sowing	September 19	Sep 19 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	January 13	Jan 13 – Jan 27
Direct Sow	December 16	Dec 16 – Jan 6
Bloom	March 17	Mar 17 – Jul 14
Fall Sowing	September 17	Sep 17 – Oct 1

▸ Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Transplant Outdoors	December 21	Dec 21 – Jan 4
Direct Sow	November 23	Nov 23 – Dec 14
Bloom	February 22	Feb 22 – Jul 5
Fall Sowing	September 27	Sep 27 – Oct 11

Growing Tips for California

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.

Snapdragon in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snapdragon in California?

Planting dates for Snapdragon in California depend on your USDA zone. California spans zones 10a, 10b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is California for planting?

California contains USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

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