7 Flowers That Look Like Snapdragons

Snapdragons are beloved for their tall, colourful spikes and uniquely shaped flowers that delight both children and adults. Their vertical form adds wonderful structure to bouquets. But for flower lovers in Singapore, there are many other beautiful plants that offer a similar look. 

This guide explores seven stunning flowers that look like snapdragons, providing wonderful alternatives that can thrive in our local climate or add drama to a floral arrangement. From the heat-loving Angelonia to the elegant Delphinium, you will discover a perfect snapdragon look-alike for any occasion.

Understanding the Allure of the Snapdragon

The common snapdragon, known botanically as Antirrhinum majus, holds a special place in the hearts of many enthusiasts. Its charm is easy to understand, stemming from a combination of its unique appearance and versatile nature.

What Makes Snapdragons So Popular?

The most captivating feature of the snapdragon is its flower. Each individual floret on the tall spike is shaped like a dragon's head, which gently opens and closes its "mouth" when squeezed from the sides. This playful characteristic makes it a favourite. They grow on tall, elegant stems, known as racemes, which are covered in these beautiful blooms. This structure provides a strong vertical element in flower design, drawing the eye upwards and adding height and dimension.

Snapdragons come in a breathtaking array of colours, from soft pastels like pink, white, and peach to vibrant jewel tones of red, orange, purple, and yellow. This wide colour palette makes them incredibly useful for creating specific moods and colour schemes. They are also a classic choice for cottage flower arrangement designs, blending beautifully with other traditional flowers.

In the world of floristry, snapdragons are prized as cut flowers. Their long stems and numerous blooms make them a fantastic line flower in arrangements, helping to establish the shape and height of a bouquet. In Singapore, they are often grown as annuals, preferring the slightly cooler and drier parts of the year to truly flourish.

7 Snapdragon Look-Alikes 

If you love the tall, spiky look of snapdragons, you will be pleased to know there are several other flowers that offer a similar aesthetic. Some are better suited to Singapore's tropical climate, while others share a close family resemblance.

1. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)

Angelonia is perhaps the best snapdragon alternative for flower enthusiasts in Singapore, which is why it has earned the nickname "summer snapdragon". It shares a similar upright growth habit with tall spikes of flowers, but its key advantage is its love for heat and humidity.

The individual flowers of Angelonia are smaller and more delicate than snapdragons, often described as looking like little orchids. They do not have the signature "snapping" feature, but they bloom profusely throughout the year in our climate. The flowers come in beautiful shades of deep purple, lavender, pink, blue, and crisp white. The foliage often has a pleasant, slightly sweet scent when touched.

Growing Angelonia in Singapore is very rewarding. It is a resilient plant that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate periods of dryness once established. As a cut flower, its stems are long-lasting and add a lovely, graceful touch to indoor arrangements.

2. Linaria (Toadflax or "False Snapdragon")

Linaria is a close relative of the snapdragon and is often called the "false snapdragon" for good reason. Its flowers are almost identical to true snapdragons, complete with the same charming mouth shape, but they are much smaller and more dainty.

This plant has a more airy and delicate appearance, producing slender stems covered in dozens of these miniature blooms. Linaria comes in a huge variety of colours and is often found in cheerful mixes of purple, yellow, pink, and red, many with bicolour patterns. This gives it a whimsical, wildflower feel.

In Singapore's climate, Linaria is best treated as a cool-season annual. It prefers milder temperatures and might struggle during the hottest parts of the year. However, it can be a delightful addition to home during cooler periods. It is perfect for filling in gaps between larger plants, adding softness to borders, or for use in rock gardens where its delicate nature can be appreciated up close.

3. Digitalis (Foxglove)

Foxglove, or Digitalis, is a truly dramatic flower that shares the same tall, stately spike as the snapdragon. While the individual flowers are different in shape, being large, bell-like tubes, the overall effect of a towering spire of blooms is very similar and equally impressive.

Foxgloves are known for their elegant, drooping flowers that are arranged down one side of the stem. The inside of each bell is often beautifully speckled, adding to its charm. They are most commonly found in shades of purple, pink, white, and creamy yellow.

It is very important to note that all parts of the foxglove plant are toxic if eaten. They should be planted with great care, away from areas where young children or pets play. Due to this, handling the plant with gloves is also recommended. Foxgloves are cool-climate plants and are quite challenging to grow in Singapore's tropical conditions. They are more often admired as stunning, premium cut flowers used by florists to create spectacular, high-impact floral arrangements.

4. Salvia

Many varieties of Salvia offer the same wonderful vertical accent in the garden as snapdragons. While they are part of the sage family, perennial Salvias like Salvia nemorosa produce dense, upright spikes of flowers that create a very similar visual effect.

The flowers of Salvia are small and tubular, tightly packed onto the stems. What makes them so popular is their incredibly rich and intense colouring. They are famous for their vibrant blues and deep purples, shades that can be difficult to find in other flowers. You can also find them in striking reds, pinks, and whites.

The great news for local enthusiasts is that many types of Salvia are perfectly suited to the Singaporean climate. They are tough, heat-tolerant plants that love the sun. They are also fantastic for attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees to your garden. With basic care, they will provide a reliable show of colour. 

5. Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon is another beautiful perennial that shares a resemblance to both snapdragons and foxgloves. The similarity comes from its tall stalks, which are lined with tubular, bell-shaped flowers. The shape of the individual flowers is quite close to that of a snapdragon, with a distinct upper and lower lip.

Penstemons are prized for their long blooming season and their appeal to hummingbirds and bees. They offer a vast range of colours, including soft pastels, electric blues, deep purples, and fiery reds. This variety makes them a versatile choice for many flower bouquet designs.

While many Penstemon varieties originate from cooler regions, there are now numerous cultivars that have been bred for better heat and humidity tolerance. For successful growth in Singapore, it is crucial to choose one of these heat-tolerant varieties and provide it with excellent drainage, as they do not like to have wet roots. They are a wonderful choice for adding both texture and lasting colour.

6. Delphinium & Larkspur

Delphinium and its close relative, Larkspur, are the epitome of floral grandeur. While their individual florets do not look like a snapdragon's, their tall, densely packed flower spikes provide the same powerful vertical statement in a vase.

These flowers are famous for their magnificent spires of blooms, especially the Delphinium, which is celebrated for its shades of true blue—one of the rarest and most sought-after colours in the flower world. They also come in stunning shades of purple, pink, and white. Larkspur is generally more delicate, with looser flower spikes.

Both Delphinium and Larkspur are classic cool-climate flowers. They find it very difficult to grow in the sustained heat and humidity of Singapore. For this reason, we rarely see them in local gardens. Instead, we are lucky to enjoy them as premium imported cut flowers. Florists in Singapore use them to create breathtaking, luxurious bouquets that are perfect for grand occasions, adding a sense of drama and elegance that is hard to match.

7. Lupine (Lupin)

Lupine is another flower whose resemblance to the snapdragon is based on its magnificent floral structure. It produces a very dense, cone-shaped flower spike, or spire, that is packed with dozens of small, pea-like florets. This creates a bold and highly textured look.

Lupines are famous for their unique flower heads and are often found in striking bicolour combinations, where the upper and lower parts of the flower have different, contrasting colours. This makes them incredibly eye-catching. Popular colour combinations include purple and yellow, pink and white, and blue and white.

Much like Delphiniums, Lupines thrive in cooler climates with mild summers and cool nights. They are not suited for growing in Singapore's tropical environment. However, they are sometimes available as imported cut flowers and are a spectacular choice for inclusion in bouquets. A single stem of lupine can serve as a strong focal point, providing a unique texture and a powerful shape to any floral design.

Caring for Your Cut Flower Bouquet

Once you have a beautiful bouquet featuring snapdragons or any of their lovely look-alikes, you will want to enjoy it for as long as possible. With just a few simple steps, you can significantly extend the life and freshness of your cut flowers. Proper flower care ensures your arrangement stays vibrant and beautiful.

Follow these guidelines as soon as you bring your flowers home to give them the best start.

Prepare Your Vase

Before anything else, ensure the vase you plan to use is perfectly clean. Wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove any bacteria, which can be harmful to fresh flowers and shorten their lifespan. A clean vase provides a healthy environment for your bouquet.

Trim the Stems

The flower stems will have sealed up during transport. Use a sharp pair of scissors or a floral knife to trim about two to three centimetres off the bottom of each stem. It is best to cut them at a 45-degree angle. This creates a larger surface area for the stems to absorb water. You should also remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline in the vase, as submerged leaves will rot and contaminate the water.

Use Fresh Water and Flower Food

Fill your clean vase with fresh, cool water. If your bouquet came with a small packet of flower food from the florist, be sure to use it. This packet contains a mix of sugar to feed the flowers, an acidifier to help the stems drink water, and a biocide to kill harmful bacteria. If you do not have flower food, you can still help your flowers by changing the water completely every one to two days.

Find the Right Spot

Where you place your vase makes a big difference. Keep your bouquet in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and heat sources like televisions or kitchen appliances. You should also avoid placing your flowers near a fruit bowl. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that will cause the flowers to wilt and fade much faster.

Conclusion On Flowers That Look Like Snapdragons

While snapdragons possess a unique charm, the world of flowers is filled with beautiful alternatives that offer a similar tall and elegant form. For those flower lovers in Singapore, heat-loving options like Angelonia and Salvia are fantastic choices that provide reliable colour and structure. 

Other stunning flowers like Delphiniums and Foxgloves can be enjoyed in spectacular bouquets from a professional florist. Ultimately, whether for your living room or your dining table, there is a perfect snapdragon look-alike waiting to be discovered. We encourage you to explore these wonderful flowers and find the one that best suits your style.

If you have any questions or would like to order a beautiful bouquet of flowers, please contact us. To find beautiful flowers and bouquets for any occasion, visit Singapore Florist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Snapdragons

What Is a False Snapdragon?

The flower most commonly known as the "false snapdragon" is Linaria, also called toadflax. It is a close relative of the true snapdragon and features almost identical, but much smaller, flowers that also have the characteristic "snapping" mouth.

What Is the Difference Between a Snapdragon and a Dragon Flower?

There is no difference; they are the same plant. "Snapdragon" is the common name for the flower, while its botanical name is Antirrhinum. It is sometimes affectionately called a "dragon flower" because the shape of the bloom resembles the head of a dragon.

What Flower Is a Cousin to the Snapdragon?

The snapdragon belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. This makes it a cousin to many other well-known flowers, including Linaria (toadflax), Penstemon (beardtongue), Digitalis (foxglove), Angelonia (summer snapdragon), and Veronica (speedwell).

Are Foxgloves and Snapdragons the Same?

No, foxgloves (Digitalis) and snapdragons (Antirrhinum) are not the same, although they are related and belong to the same plant family. They both grow tall flower spikes, but foxglove flowers are large, bell-shaped tubes, while snapdragon flowers have a distinct "dragon mouth" shape. It is also critical to remember that foxgloves are poisonous if ingested.

What Flower Looks Like a Snapdragon but Isn't?

Several flowers look like snapdragons. The most popular ones are Angelonia, often called the "summer snapdragon" for its resilience in heat, and Linaria, which has miniature snapdragon-like flowers. Other flowers like Salvia, Penstemon, and Delphinium also have tall flower spikes that give a similar vertical look in the garden.

Do Snapdragons Come Back Every Year?

Snapdragons are technically short-lived perennials, which means they can live for more than one year in ideal, mild climates. However, in climates with very hot summers or very cold winters, they are usually grown as annuals. In Singapore's tropical climate, they are best treated as cool-season annuals as they often decline in the intense heat.