How to grow carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Dianthus caryophyllus · clove pink

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) — mediterranean perennial with narrow grey-green leaves and fragrant, clove-scented flowers with fringed or double petals in white, pink, red, yellow and many other shades, 30 cm to over 1 m tall. Border carnations are hardy; perpetual-flowering florists' carnations are grown under glass. Carnation grows best in full sun and soil with pH 6–8.

Updated: October 28, 2026

When to plant carnation?

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Latin name	Dianthus caryophyllus
Family	Caryophyllaceae
Also called	clove pink
Planted as	young plants from a nursery
Life span	perennial
Planting season	spring
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–8
Frost	tolerates light frost
Soil for planting	from 5 °C
First flowers	108 days after growth starts
Flowering lasts	90 days
Grown in	Greenhouse, Open ground, At home

How long does carnation take from planting to flowering?

From planting to the first flowers: about 108 days, or 15 weeks.

Step	Day
Planting	0
Growth starts	0
First flowers	108
End of flowering	198

Days count from the day of sowing or planting, by the figures of the card.

Where does carnation grow?

16,042 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and United States.

World map: where carnation has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Delphine Dalle, Yami George, Magne Flåten, Chris Ecroyd (CC BY / CC0).

Carnation, France — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Delphine Dalle, Yami George, Magne Flåten, Chris Ecroyd (CC BY / CC0).

Carnation care by growth stage

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 3 days	—	organic, at the start of the stage
Flowering	every 3 days	—	organic, at the start of the stage

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	—	—	—
Flowering	—	—	—

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 2 days	—	organic, at the start of the stage
Flowering	every 2 days	—	organic, at the start of the stage

Growing notes

Light

Full sun. Carnations like cool summers and do poorly in great heat.

Soil

Free-draining, gritty soil rich in organic matter, neutral to slightly alkaline. Waterlogged ground kills them, so in heavy soil use a raised bed or a pot; they suffer more from winter wet than from cold.

Care

Plant in spring with the lowest leaves above the soil and keep it moist until the plants establish. After that border carnations need water only in long dry spells, while pots may need it daily in hot weather. In the ground they need no feeding; carnations under glass benefit from an organic liquid feed in the growing season. Tall stems need support, such as wire rings on canes. For larger blooms nip off some side buds; removing faded flowers down to the next bud keeps them coming. Plants go bare in the centre after a few years, so renew them from cuttings of non-flowering shoots in summer or by layering. Perpetual-flowering carnations flower all year under glass at 10 °C or more. Watch for rust, and under glass for spider mites and thrips. ASPCA lists carnation as toxic to cats, dogs and horses (mild stomach upset and skin irritation).

Pests and diseases of Carnation

2 problems are recorded for carnation; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Rust

Pests

Two-spotted spider mite

Other plants of the Caryophyllaceae family

Carnation belongs to Caryophyllaceae; 1 other plant of this family has a guide here.

Sweet WilliamDianthus barbatus

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Garden flowers · Perennial garden flowers · Long-flowering plants

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.