Uses of the Brazilian Snapdragon Plant

Cut Flowers

• Brazilian snapdragons make elegant cut flowers. The stalks grow 15 to 35 inches long and add height to flower arrangements. The delicate 1-inch blue flowers bloom along the flower stalk among bright green foliage. Once harvested, the flowers last six to nine days in water and could last up to four weeks, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Grow Brazilian snapdragons indoors or in a greenhouse for cut flower arrangements.

Patio Planters and Containers

• Use Brazilian snapdragon plants in patio planters. Plant in spring in the center or back of the planter where the height adds contrast and sets a backdrop for other, smaller growing plants. Though a perennial in tropical conditions, you can grow the Brazilian snapdragon as an annual in cold climates. Grow a Brazilian snapdragon alone in a container or patio planter. Use potting soil and keep it in a partly shaded spot. Bring the container indoors in fall before the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the Landscape

• Plant the Brazilian snapdragon in the garden or landscape in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and higher. Select a site that gets full sun or partial shade. The plants thrive in slightly acidic soil. Though tolerant of dry conditions, the Brazilian snapdragon thrives in consistently moist soil. Use Brazilian snapdragons as specimen shrubs or in shrub beds, sunny border areas and along walkways.

Propagation, Winter Care

• Propagate Brazilian snapdragons from stem cuttings taken in late spring or summer. Use a pot filled with equal parts sand and peat moss or vermiculite, or a commercial rooting medium. Keep the cuttings between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit until roots form, usually in three to four weeks. Overwinter Brazilian snapdragons in a greenhouse or indoors at a temperature range of 65 to 70 degrees at night and 10 degrees warmer during the day.