What are the sun requirements for Angelonia angustifolia?

Angelonia angustifolia requires Full Sun.

How much water does Angelonia angustifolia need?

Angelonia angustifolia has Medium water needs.

Angelonia angustifolia (Summer Snapdragon)

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Annuals

Angelonia angustifolia

Summer Snapdragon

Plantaginaceae

Mexico, Caribbean, northern South America

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width9-18 inches (23-45 cm)

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Angelonia angustifolia is a tender perennial typically grown as an annual, reaching 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 9-18 inches (23-45 cm) wide depending on cultivar. Compact bedding cultivars stay 10-14 inches (25-35 cm); upright cut-flower types reach 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). Stems are erect, branching, brittle when bent. Leaves are narrow lance-shaped, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long, glossy mid-green, arranged opposite or in whorls of three on the upper stem; foliage releases a faint apple scent when bruised. Flowers are five-lobed and orchid-like, 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, in shades of purple, blue-violet, lavender, raspberry, white, or bicolor combinations, arranged in 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) terminal spikes. Bloom continues from late spring through first frost in zones 3-9 when grown as an annual; in zones 9-11 the plant overwinters as a short-lived perennial. Heat-tolerant: flower production continues through temperatures above 95°F (35°C) when many bedding annuals decline. Self-cleaning — spent flowers drop without deadheading. Growth is moderate at 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) within 6-8 weeks of transplanting. Foliage damages at 32°F (0°C) and the plant is killed by the first hard frost. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America, where it grows in sandy soils, dry meadows, and open woodlands at low elevations.

Suggested Uses

Used as a bedding plant in massed plantings, mixed borders, and the front to mid-section of perennial gardens at 10-12 inch (25-30 cm) spacing for compact cultivars. Cut-flower cultivars at 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall produce stems suitable for fresh arrangements with 7-10 day vase life. Container culture in 1+ gallon (4+ liter) pots; combines with petunias, calibrachoa, and ornamental grasses in mixed annual plantings.

How to Identify

Identified by narrow lance-shaped glossy leaves 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long arranged opposite or in whorls of three, and 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) terminal spikes of five-lobed orchid-like flowers 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. Foliage releases a faint apple scent when bruised. Distinguished from Angelonia integerrima by narrower leaves and smaller flowers, and from true snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) by open five-lobed flowers (rather than closed two-lipped flowers).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread9" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Blooms continuously from late spring through first frost in zones 3-9. Individual flowers last 4-6 days; spike-tip elongation produces new flowers in succession for 14-20 weeks total. Flower production continues through summer heat above 95°F (35°C) when many bedding annuals decline. Cool nights below 50°F (10°C) slow new flower spike formation in fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purple, blue-violet, lavender, raspberry, white, or bicolor

Foliage Description

Glossy mid-green, narrow lance-shaped

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water 1-2 times per week during the first 4-6 weeks after transplanting; established plants tolerate 7-10 days between waterings in the ground, but containers require more frequent watering during heat waves. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the bloom period maintains flower production; nutrient-poor soils reduce spike length. Powdery mildew develops in cool wet weather; spacing plants 12 inches (30 cm) apart improves air circulation. Slugs feed on lower foliage in damp conditions. Plants are killed by the first hard frost and are typically pulled and composted at season end. In zones 9-11 plants persist as short-lived perennials and may be cut back hard in spring to refresh growth.

Pruning

Self-cleaning — no deadheading required. Tip-pinching young transplants encourages branching; established plants do not require pruning during the bloom period. Cutting back by one-third in midsummer if growth becomes leggy stimulates new flower spike production within 10-14 days.

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

transplanted from cuttings or starts after last frost

Plant Spacing

12 inches