If you want to multiply your snapdragon harvest on a budget, seed saving it’s the best, most cost-effective way to do it! Learn how to store snapdragon seeds, and before you know it, you could be filling it up cut flower garden with these beauties. Snapdragons are great candidates for seed storage because they are some of them the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Not to mention the process is super easy and the payoff is huge since they bloom for so long!
Last year was my first year adding snapdragons to my garden and they quickly became one of my favorites. I knew I had to save some of the flower seeds to grow even more next time. If you’d like to do the same, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to collecting and saving snapdragon seeds from your own plants.
Wait for the right moment
Snapdragon seed pods form after the flowers fade. Choose a dry day late in the growing season, but not so late that the plants are completely dead. I waited until the pods on my plants were brown, dry and brittle – usually late summer early fall. This is when the seeds inside are fully ripe and ready to be picked.
Gather some supplies
You don’t need much to harvest your snapdragon seeds, just the following:
- Scissors or small pruning shears
- Paper bags or envelopes
- Mesh sieve
- A pen/marker for marking
This makes it easier to harvest and keep track of what you are harvesting.
Harvest the seed pods
First, you will need to remove the seed pods from the plant. I find it’s easier to scoop up a batch of seed pods to empty rather than scooping out the tiny seeds as you go, so bring a bag! Look for brown pods that are completely dry and in good condition. Pods that are dry in color but soft may have rotted after excessive exposure to moisture. Green seed pods are not ready to harvest and will not have viable seeds. Snapdragon pods in good harvest condition will look like tiny light brown skulls and feel dry and crunchy or papery to the touch.
Cut the pods from each snapdragon stem and collect them in a paper or plastic bag. If you have a mix of colors like I did, be sure to harvest from each plant every color you want for next year.
I cut the dried pods right off the stems and dropped them into a paper bag. Some pods were already quivering with loose seeds, which was a good sign that they were ready. Once a bag was full, I gently cracked them open to release the seeds.
Collect and dry the seeds
Then all you need to do is press and crack (or just shake) the seed pods over a piece of paper or a plate. This will release the seeds from the pods, but will also leave some of the seed pod material behind. You can pass your seeds through a sieve to easily separate the seeds. Even if they look dry, it is very important to give them some time to continue drying. Dry seeds store much better, which means a better germination rate (and more flowers!) for you!
I worked in small batches over a small sauce dish. Then, to prevent the possibility of mold, I spread the seeds out on a paper towel and let them air dry for a few days before storing.
Store seeds properly
Last but certainly not least is the very important step of storing your seeds. You want to make sure they are somewhere they will stay dry and cool. Paper envelopes (like a seed packet you’d find at a garden center) are great if you have a nice, reliably dry storage location. Bonus tip – if you have extra, some home grown flower seeds make very little plant gift idea if you think about it Christmas gifts for the gardeners in your life!
You can store snapdragon seeds in the fridge as long as you use an airtight container, as Gardening Know How also mentions in their guide. If you’re storing them in a jar, plastic bag, or other airtight container, make sure they’ve had a chance to dry completely beforehand. It’s not a bad idea to throw in a packet of silica gel with the seeds.
Snapdragon seeds can remain viable for a few years when stored properly. For best results, replanting the following spring is the safest option. Personally, I’m especially excited to get mine in the ground in the spring and see those colors come back! I love the vision of endless color that I can see as I do start my seeds in the spring.
Common mistakes to avoid when storing Snapdragon seeds
Although storing snapdragon seeds is quite simple, a few mistakes can make it less successful. Here are the big ones I had in mind:
- Pick too early – If the pods are still green or soft, the seeds inside will not be ripe and likely will not germinate. Always wait until they are dry and golden.
- Storing the seeds when wet – Even a little moisture can cause mold. Make sure the seeds are completely dry before packing them.
- Use plastic bags for storage – Plastic traps moisture, which can damage the seeds. Paper envelopes or small paper bags work best.
- Forgetting the label – It’s easy to forget what’s what until spring. Label the envelopes with the type of plant and year of collection.
- Leaving the pods on the plants too long – If you wait too long, the pods may split and scatter the seeds before you harvest them. They can also develop mold or mildew if left outside due to constant wet weather.
My acquisition after saving my Snapdragon seeds
Storing snapdragon seeds turned out to be super simple and really rewarding. I loved knowing that the flush of blooms I enjoyed this year would return next year – and in even greater numbers. I can’t wait for their bright colors to return to my garden. It’s also nice to pick from the mix of colors I’ve planted before to add even more of my favorites and less of the ones I didn’t like so much.
If you’ve never done it try seed saving before, snapdragons are the perfect place to start! The process is simple and when it comes time to sow snapdragon seeds, they are extremely easy flowers to grow from seeds. They make a great addition to cut flower gardens, and there’s something extra satisfying about enjoying flowers you’ve grown from your own seed.
