In Full Bloom: The Joy of Growing Your Own Carnations

Updated on January 6, 2025 by Ruth

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Welcome to our guide on growing one of the most beloved flowers in the garden – carnations! Known for their stunning array of colors and delightful fragrance, carnations are a classic choice for adding beauty and charm to any landscape. In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of carnations, exploring how to grow and care for these delightful flowers, highlighting different varieties, and sharing some fun facts along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, join us as we uncover the secrets to growing gorgeous carnations in your own garden.

Table of Contents

What’s the difference between Carnations and Sweet William?

Carnations are prized for flower bouquets, lasting for two weeks, and for their colorful blooms and delicate clove-like fragrance. Carnations are also used as edible flowers and are popular for cake decoration. A member of the dianthus family, dianthus caryophyllus, carnations can be grown from seed and are a tender perennial in zones 6-8. Sweet William, dianthus barbatus, is a close cousin of the carnation, providing a vivid array of colors. Carnations have a radial flower compared to Sweet William with clusters of small flowers which form a large globe shaped head. Whether you call them grenadines, pinks, dianthus, or clove pinks, carnations have been a favored flower for over 2000 years.

Can you grow carnations from seed?

Carnations can be grown from seed, needing 100-140 days (depending on variety) to start producing flowers. It is best to start seeds indoors, about 6-8 weeks before the expected last frost. It will take about 7-14 days for the seeds to germinate, and another 6-7 weeks for the plants to achieve sufficient size for planting. Carnations thrive in cool temperatures of 50-60F. Carnations can be densely planted, about 6 inches apart. Consistent water during the germination period and early planting is critical for flower production.

Will you get flowers from the plant the first year?

Yes, usually. However, some varieties will not bloom until the second year. Seeds that are sold for retail have been selected for first-year blooming. If you are selecting plants, then you will have blooms the same year.

Since it can take three to four months or longer to reach maturity and to start flowering, an early start is key to having flowers in the first growing season.

Where can you plant carnations?

Be sure to give your young plants plenty of sunshine. Carnations require full sun in order to produce the flowers you want each year, especially if you are planting this as an annual. Add some compost to the soil before planting, as making flowers takes a lot of energy. Consistent water is key, and well draining soil. Sun, food, water, and soil—all that your plants need!

Plant them when frost is done for your area. You can plant for a fall season; be sure to allow enough time for blooming before you have a frost in the fall. Young plants will need extra water during the summer months in order to set buds for blooming.

Can you grow carnation plants indoor?

Carnations are sun lovers, needing full day sun. If you have a greenhouse or sunroom, you could have carnations growing indoors. In those conditions, carnations are susceptible to aphids, which infest the young leaves and flower buds. Monitor and remove as soon as you see the first sign of an aphid. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil until the bugs are gone.

How long do carnations bloom?

Carnations bloom for 6-8 weeks, preferring spring temperatures over summer. During hot summer temperatures, the plants can wilt, so provide some extra water. If you are thirsty, so are the plants! Water at the base of the plants, so the water goes directly to the roots. Avoid overwatering, as that can cause flower petals to drop off.

Which varieties are good for home gardens?

With over 300 varieties to choose from, it comes down to what you prefer.

The Chabaud French heritage varieties are tall, with strong stems, and come in a range of pink tones. It is grown as an annual for cut flower production, with beautiful double blooms. “Double bloom” means that there is a double layer of petals, giving the flower a fuller, lush appearance. The Chabuad bloom a little later than the Sweet William varieties, so you can extend your season with different varieties

The Barcelona, Sweet, and Amazon varieties are the Sweet Willliam type, and come in a range of colors from dark red to deep purple, with all the pink and rose variations in-between. Some of these varieties can grow over 3 feet tall, making them ideal for cut flowers. The Sweet series is the variety that blooms first for the dianthus barbatus type.

The short-growing ground cover type of dianthus is commonly called pinks. These 8-inch tall plants have clusters of flowers, with a single layer of petals, either pink or a raspberry dark pink. Dianthus gratianopolitanus has a silvery green foliage and will flower most of the summer.

Why would you eat carnations?

Carnations hold up well in decorative use on cakes, breads, muffins, salads, desserts, sandwiches and other foods. Anything touching food needs to be edible—don’t want to make anyone sick!—plus carnations have a spicy flavor that adds intriguing subtleties to any dish.

Carnations were used in herbal medicine for stress and nausea, as well as to reduce inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine uses carnations to help cleanse the digestive tract. In addition to being decorative, these flowers can boost your physical health.

Carnation Tea Recipe

To use carnations medicinally, you can make a simple carnation tea. Here’s a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup water
2-3 fresh carnation petals (make sure they are pesticide-free)

Instructions:

Boil 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.
Add the carnation petals to the boiling water.
Let the petals steep in the water for about 10-15 minutes.
Strain the tea to remove the petals.
Allow the tea to cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking.

Carnation tea is said to have soothing properties and may help with digestion and relaxation. However, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedies, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant or nursing.

Six fun facts about carnations

Carnations are the official flower for Mother’s Day and the official birth flower for January.

White carnations symbolize love and red carnations symbolize admiration. In the Flemish tradition, a red carnation meant a promise of marriage! Different countries attribute different meanings to the various colors, so check first before bestowing carnations on someone.

Oscar Wilde appropriated green carnations to drum up publicity for the premiere of his play, Lady Winderemere’s Fan.

Carnations are native to the Mediterranean region, and are now grown worldwide in moderate climates with abundant sunshine.

Carnations were cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans for ceremonial purposes.

The carnation is the sacred flower for the goddess of hunting, Diana, from which it takes its botanical name, dianthus. The legend tells us that a young shepherd fell madly in love with the goddess, Diana, who spurned the shepherd, and from the tears that he shed were born white carnations.

Where can you find carnation plants

Since it can take months to get carnations to the flowering stage, you may find it better to start with an established plant. Look for an independent garden center of nursery, where they grow the plants themselves, rather than having them shipped in hundreds or thousands of miles away. These will be the varieties that grow well in your area. If you don’t find plants, ask your local farmer or horticulturalist about them and see if carnations are appropriate for your climate and zone. The shorter “pinks” can usually be found and treated as an annual bedding plant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing carnations can be a rewarding experience that adds a splash of color and fragrance to your garden. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can cultivate healthy, vibrant carnation plants that will bloom year after year. Whether you’re drawn to the classic charm of the standard carnation or the whimsical beauty of the spray carnation, there’s a variety to suit every taste and style. So, why not visit your local garden center or plant nursery and pick up some carnation plants to start your own floral masterpiece? With a little care and attention, you’ll soon be enjoying the beauty of these stunning flowers in your own backyard.

Happy growing!

Additional resources

About The Author

Ruth

With a love of growing, history, and family woven throughout all that she does, Ruth shares her knowledge through courses, books, social media, and in-person talks. She grew up on the Delaware farm, earned her M.A. in History from the University of Delaware, worked and lived in various parts of the country, and then Ruth came back to run the farm in 1996. Her days are filled with plants, flowers, family, and community.