Why Are My Snapdragons Dying? (5 Common Causes) - The Practical Planter (2024)

Although Snapdragons are known to be short-lived garden plants, they undoubtedly make a beautiful addition to any garden and are widely popular as a result. The Snapdragon’s variety of vibrantly colored flowers make them highly desirable; however, it is not uncommon for owners of these plants to encounter more than a few difficulties.

Despite the beauty and value that they may add to your garden, Snapdragons are known to have a tendency to suddenly and unexpectantly show signs of dying. There are several factors that can cause Snapdragons to die, including Snapdragon rust, hot weather, and stem/root rot, to name a few.

Snapdragons undoubtedly make a fine addition to any garden. However, like most other garden plants, Snapdragons can present with a fair number of issues that could make looking after them – and ultimately keeping them alive – somewhat of a tricky experience.

Discover what could be causing your Snapdragon to die and what you can do to stop it.

Why Are My Snapdragons Dying?

If you have any experience with keeping several plants in your garden, you will know that some species of plants are far easier to take care of than others. Some plants require nothing more than being planted in a good spot and receiving the occasional drink of water.

While this can undoubtedly be true for plants like Snapdragons, typically, they can be a little trickier to maintain, and they can be far more demanding of particular growing conditions.

As is the case with most other plants, watering – whether over watering or under watering – patterns are typically the number one cause of issues and death in the Snapdragon plant. Following a strict watering schedule and paying close attention to the plant’s response are essential to maintaining its health.

Overall, being aware of the different types of issues that could be causing your Snapdragon plants to die and attentiveness to them is the best thing you can do to maintain your plant’s health. The best course of action is prevention. However, there are also ways to save your plant if it is already exhibiting some symptoms.

Here are a few common possibilities why your Snapdragon plant could be dying:

1 – Snapdragon Rust

For example, various rust-like diseases can be relatively common amongst floricultural plants like Snapdragons. Snapdragon rust is a fungal infection most commonly seen on the plant’s leaves.

In some cases, the initial infection might not be possible to see. However, the first sign of infection is often when small yellow spots become visible on the leaves. As the condition progresses, these spots will begin to turn a brownish-black color in the center, and eventually, the fungal spores of Snapdragon rust will become visible.

Attentiveness is the key to this issue. If you catch the infection early enough, remove the leaves where the rust has started to form and discard them immediately to avoid further infection. Also, try not to get the leaves wet when watering – mainly if watering at night – as wet leaves can oftentimes be a breeding ground for fungi.

2 – Excessively Hot Weather

Another thing to consider if your Snapdragon plant is dying is the kind of weather that it is being exposed to. Sure, Snapdragons thrive in full sun. However, they are not big fans of scorching weather.

Wilting is one of the first things that you can expect if your Snapdragon plant is exposed to too much heat, which will ultimately decline the rate at which it is flowering. Typically speaking, if you live in a region that experiences sweltering summers, you might not have too much luck in keeping a Snapdragon plant.

If that is the case, you will most likely need to remove the Snapdragon plant from your garden. This is because they require full sun to thrive, so moving them into a shadier, cool spot might not do good for them either.

3 – Root Rot

Unfortunately, root rot is one of the most devastating fungal infections that any plant can experience. Insufficient drainage is more than likely going to cause a fungal infection to form and grow on your roots. And, because the roots are buried beneath the soil, you might not even be able to tell until your plant suddenly collapses.

There is no cure for root rot, though in some cases, older Snapdragon plants can be saved by allowing the soil to completely dry out and ultimately destroy the breeding ground of the infection.

Once again, the best course of action is prevention, especially in the case of root rot. Ensure that your Snapdragon plant has an excellent drainage system and, of course, avoid overwatering. This should ensure that the fungi will not have a sufficient environment to grow in, which means you will have a healthy Snapdragon.

4 – Gray Mold

Gray mold is yet another potential Snapdragon killer typically caused by the plant being exposed to excess humidity. In overly moist conditions, you will notice light brown or gray masses forming at the base of the flowers around the stems. Gray mold will also cause wilting in the stalks of the flowers, and if left for too long, the plant will die.

The best thing to do in the case of Gray mold is to identify it early on, cut off the flower stalks exhibiting signs of infection, and, if necessary, use a fungicide spray to prevent the mold from being able to spread any further.

Ensure that your Snapdragon plant is getting enough airflow, thereby reducing the amount of humidity it is exposed to. That alone should be an effective preventative measure.

5 – Downy Mildew

Downy mildew is another potential fungal infection that can cause your Snapdragon to die. This fungal infection is also caused by excessive humidity and leaving the Snapdragons leaves wet for hours.

Watch out for furry-looking fungal spores forming on the underside of the leaves. This will undoubtedly cause the tips of the leaves to curl. Wilting will be the following symptom to arise, followed by the death of your Snapdragon.

Final Thoughts

We cannot stress the importance of being highly attentive to your Snapdragon plant daily. Following a good watering schedule and ensuring adequate drainage will go a long way in maintaining your plant’s health.

Catching any unwelcomed symptoms early on will give you the best chances of being able to treat your beautiful Snapdragon.