Linaria maroccana

Linaria maroccana, commonly known as Moroccan toadflax or Moroccan snapdragon, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. Native to Morocco, this plant has gained popularity in gardens worldwide due to its vibrant and colorful flowers. The plant can grow up to 30 cm tall and features narrow, lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Its flowers are borne on long spikes and come in shades of pink, purple, yellow, or white, each with distinctive throat markings. Linaria maroccana thrives in well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate some shade. It is a hardy annual that blooms from late spring through early fall. The plant attracts bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. You can grow Linaria maroccana from seeds sown directly into the garden bed after the last frost, or started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Overall, Linaria maroccana is an easy-to-grow annual that adds vibrant color to any garden while attracting pollinators, thus enhancing biodiversity in your landscape design.

💡 The flower's opening resembles a frog's mouth, remaining closed until a pollinating bee forces it open. Only larger bees with long tongues can access the sweet nectar inside. As the bee enters the flower, its body becomes coated in pollen, allowing it to cross-pollinate other flowers in the garden.

🎭 Expressive silence

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Genus

Linaria

Family

Plantaginaceae

Hardiness Zone

3-7

Mature Height

49 cm

Mature Spread

10 cm to 15 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

White, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Red, Orange

Flower Size

0.10 cm to 0.20 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Planting Time

Spring, Summer

Harvest Time

Summer

Native Area

Morocco

Tags (5)

Common Names (3)