The Story
Plant Bio
Angelonia angustifolia, summer snapdragon, is an upright tender perennial from Mexico, the West Indies and South America, grown almost everywhere as a summer annual. Narrow toothed leaves clothe erect stems twelve to eighteen inches high, and loose spikes of small lipped flowers in purple, blue, pink or white open from early summer until frost.
It is one of the few bedding plants that flowers harder as the weather gets worse: heat and humidity that stop petunias and verbena leave angelonia unbothered, which makes it the dependable choice for a southern summer. It is also self-cleaning, so a container stays tidy for months without any deadheading.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
15 inches
Width
10 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Moderate to high
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Mexico, the West Indies and South America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant out in full sun after the last frost.
- Give it free-draining soil or compost.
- Water while establishing, then only in dry spells.
- Feed lightly; heavy feeding gives soft, floppy growth.
- Leave it be — no deadheading is needed.
- Take cuttings in late summer to overwinter it.
Pro Tip
This is the plant to reach for when midsummer heat has stalled everything else in the bed — it flowers hardest exactly then.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it full sun and real heat ☀️
- Plant in free-draining soil 🌱
- Water only when genuinely dry 💧
- Take cuttings in late summer ✂️
Don't
- Overwater it — it resents wet roots ❌
- Bother deadheading; it cleans itself ❌
- Plant it out before the soil is warm ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Out | ||||||||||||
| Take Cuttings |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Angelonia questions
What zones can Angelonia grow in?
Angelonia is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Angelonia deer resistant?
Yes — Angelonia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Angelonia bloom?
Angelonia typically blooms in summer to frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Angelonia need full sun?
Angelonia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Angelonia drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Angelonia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Angelonia to compare
Angelonia Angelface Perfectly Pink
Angelonia angustifolia 'Angelface Perfectly Pink'
Summer Snapdragon
Angelonia angustifolia 'Angelface Blue'
Archangel Pink Summer Snapdragon
Angelonia angustifolia 'Archangel Pink'
Angelonia Angelface White
Angelonia angustifolia 'Angelface White'
Angelface Angelonia
Angelonia angustifolia 'Angelface'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Angelonia with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.