How often should I water carnations?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice a week depending on conditions.

What kind of soil do carnations prefer?

They prefer well-draining soil with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.

Can carnations be grown indoors?

Yes, they can be grown indoors with plenty of light and good air circulation.

How do I deadhead carnations?

Remove spent blooms by cutting the stem back to a side shoot or leaf cluster to encourage more flowers.

Plant guide

Carnation.

Dianthus caryophyllus

Pronounced dee-AN-thus kar-ee-OFF-il-us

Also known as Border Carnation, Carnation, Clove Pink, Divine Flower, Gilly-flower

Carnations are beloved for their ruffled, often fragrant flowers and long vase life. They are a staple in bouquets and boutonnieres, offering a wide range of colors and varieties.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring through summer

Care

Provide plenty of sunlight and good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Pinching back young plants encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Watch for aphids and spider mites.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring good drainage to prevent root rot.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season, about once a month.
Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers and trim back leggy stems in late summer.
Repotting: Repot every one to two years in spring, or when the plant becomes root-bound.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 24°C
Humidity: 30 to 50%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, often grown as an annual or biennial
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains very slowly or not at all.
Plant appears stunted or growth has slowed significantly.
Soil dries out extremely quickly after watering.

Safety

People: Not considered toxic to humans.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is generally safe, but small children might be tempted to put flowers or leaves in their mouths, which is not recommended.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the plant.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can be a respiratory irritant for sensitive individuals.
Edibility: While not typically considered toxic, it's best to avoid ingesting any part of the plant as it's primarily grown as an ornamental.

How to identify it

Fringed or ruffled petals
Glaucous, blue-green foliage
Square stems
Strong, spicy fragrance
Clump-forming habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.3m
Leaves: blue-green, gray-green, evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, white, yellow, purple, bi-color, 5 to 7.5cm

Common problems

Fusarium wilt — A fungal disease that causes wilting and yellowing of leaves, often fatal.
Spider mites — Tiny pests that suck sap from the leaves, causing stippling and yellowing.
Aphids — Small insects that feed on plant sap, causing distorted growth and yellowing.
Leaf spot — Fungal or bacterial infections causing spots on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: In colder climates, protect perennial carnations by mulching around the base after the ground has frozen slightly. In milder regions, they may overwinter with minimal protection. Trim back dead foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
In containers: Carnations do well in containers, especially smaller varieties. A pot at least 6 inches in diameter is recommended to allow for root growth.

Seed

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Lightly cover seeds with soil and keep moist.
Germination typically takes 7-14 days at 65-70°F (18-21°C).
Transplant seedlings into the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Space plants 12-18 inches apart.

Cuttings

Take 4-inch cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots in late spring or early summer.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Insert cuttings into a moist potting mix.
Keep moist and in a bright location out of direct sun until roots form (3-4 weeks).
Transplant rooted cuttings into pots or the garden.

Pair carnations with plants that enjoy full sun and well-drained soil to ensure they all thrive together.

Grows well with

Roses — Roses and carnations share similar light and soil needs, and their blooms complement each other well in arrangements.
Lavender — Lavender's drought tolerance and similar light requirements make it a good companion, and their fragrances blend nicely.
Salvia — Salvia provides a contrasting texture and color, and they both prefer well-drained soil and full sun.
Marigolds — Marigolds can help deter some pests, and they thrive in similar sunny conditions.

Keep away from

Plants that require consistently wet soil — Carnations are susceptible to root rot in overly moist conditions, so they should not be planted with water-loving species.
Dense, shade-loving plants — Carnations need full sun and good air circulation, which they won't get when crowded by shade-tolerant plants.

Similar species

Sweet William — Sweet William is also a Dianthus species with similar cultural needs and a clove-like fragrance, though its flower clusters are flatter.
Pinks — Pinks are closely related and share the characteristic fringed petals and fragrance, often with a more mounding growth habit.

Science

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Dianthus
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, it grows in rocky, calcareous soils and thrives in sunny conditions.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: Ornamental, Cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 7.5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water carnations?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice a week depending on conditions.
What kind of soil do carnations prefer?: They prefer well-draining soil with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
Can carnations be grown indoors?: Yes, they can be grown indoors with plenty of light and good air circulation.
How do I deadhead carnations?: Remove spent blooms by cutting the stem back to a side shoot or leaf cluster to encourage more flowers.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Dianthus comes from the Greek words 'dios' (god) and 'anthos' (flower), meaning 'flower of the gods'. The species name caryophyllus refers to the clove-like scent of some varieties.

Good to know

Carnations symbolize love, fascination, and distinction.
The name 'Dianthus' comes from the Greek words 'dios' (god) and 'anthos' (flower), meaning 'flower of the gods'.
Different colors of carnations carry different meanings.
They have a spicy, clove-like fragrance.

Is your carnation looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.