Carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus) are a type of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. They are perennial, meaning they can grow and bloom year after year. Carnations are native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. They are widely cultivated for their showy and fragrant flowers, which come in a variety of colors including white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. Carnations are often used in bouquets and other flower arrangements. They are also popular for cut flower arrangements and for use in dried flower arrangements.
Planning Your Garden With Carnations
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Carnations are perennial plants. |
| USDA Zone | Carnations are hardy in USDA Zones 3-10. |
| Cold Tolerance | Carnations are considered to be cold tolerant and can survive temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest carnations is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown carnation plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Carnations prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sun. When planting carnations, space them 8-12 inches apart, depending on the variety. |
| Sun tolerance | Carnations are tolerant of full sun, but they prefer partial shade. They are also sensitive to extreme heat and should be planted in a spot that receives some afternoon shade in hot climates. |
| Shade tolerance | Carnations are not particularly shade tolerant and prefer to be planted in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Carnations require moist, well-drained soil and regular watering. They should be watered deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During hot weather, they may need to be watered every other day. If the soil is too dry, the plant may wilt and the flowers will not last as long. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing carnations will depend on the type of fertilizer used and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be used at a rate of 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing carnations is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Carnations are Popular
People like to grow carnations because they are easy to care for and have a long flowering period. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a versatile flower for any garden. They are also known for their pleasant scent and are often used in arrangements for special occasions.
Companion Plants For Carnations
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for carnations include:
Common Pests For Carnations
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow carnations, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
