When to Plant Snapdragon in North Carolina

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.

North Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a (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.

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Snapdragon Planting Calendar for North Carolina

▸ 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

Growing Tips for North Carolina

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 North Carolina?

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

What zone is North Carolina for planting?

North Carolina contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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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