Carnation.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 5 to 7 days

Mature size

24 inches

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep your carnations in a spot with plenty of sun and well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing new flowers. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove faded flowers to promote continuous blooming throughout the summer.

Repotting

Repot if the plant becomes root-bound or if the soil loses its structure.

Soil

Well-draining, sandy loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-10 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant contains saponins which can cause mild skin irritation and digestive discomfort if ingested.

Pets

This plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset.

Children

Keep away from small children as the foliage and flowers can cause mild stomach upset if eaten.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a significant airborne allergen.

Edibility

While the petals are often used as a garnish, they can cause mild digestive upset if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

• Ruffled, fringed petal edges
• Spicy, clove-like fragrance
• Blue-green, grass-like foliage
• Sturdy, jointed stems

Height

0.3 to 0.8m

Spread

0.25 to 0.45m

Leaves

blue-green, grey-green, evergreen

Flowers

pink, white, red, yellow, purple, bicolor, 3 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• RustCommon
• Botrytis BlightUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, layering

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent winter rot. A light mulch can help protect the crown in colder regions.

In containers

They thrive in containers with a minimum 20 cm pot size and excellent drainage.

Pair with plants that have similar low-water needs to prevent root rot.

Grows well with

• Lavender — They share similar requirements for sun and well-drained soil.
• Baby's Breath — The airy flowers provide a nice contrast to the bold carnation blooms.

Similar species

• Cheddar Pink — A smaller, more mat-forming relative.
• Sweet William — A related species often grown as a biennial.

Science

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Genus

Dianthus

Order

Caryophyllales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It grows naturally on rocky, well-drained slopes in its native range.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

cut flowers, container gardens, rock gardens, edible garnishes

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to deadhead them?

Yes, removing spent blooms encourages a longer flowering season.

Can they grow in shade?

They prefer full sun and will become leggy in shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Dianthus comes from the Greek words dios for divine and anthos for flower. Caryophyllus refers to the clove-like scent of the blooms.

Good to know

• Carnations have been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
• The name comes from the Greek words for divine flower.
• They are the national flower of Spain and Slovenia.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs