How to Grow Carnations

Find out when plants bloom. Since there are so many varieties of carnations and so many different growing methods, you may have heard conflicting information about when to bloom and how long they last. Two-year cultivars will bloom in the second year and then die. Perennials usually bloom for many years, but perennial carnations usually take two years to flower and die before the plant blooms a second time.

• Proper care of perennial carnations will increase the plant’s chances of propagating, as described in the “carnation care” section.

Shop for plants if you want to see them in bloom during the year. If you want your carnation to be sure to bloom throughout the year, look for seedlings or mature plants to plant in the fall or spring. ^[1] You’ll need to check with the seller to make sure the plant will bloom that year before taking it home, as some seedlings may not flower first second year.

• Annual plant seeds (which bloom and die in a year) may or may not live up to expectations, depending on the cultivar and how the plant responds to climate.

Decide when to plant the tree. Carnation seeds are hardy enough to survive the winter, can be planted in fall or late spring and bloom in 12 to 18 months. ^[2] If the plant has already begun to grow, or if you’re concerned it won’t survive the harsh winter, you can leave it indoors until early spring and planted outside. Seedlings that are 6-8 weeks old will be easy to grow and less prone to damage. ^[3]

Find a location with lots of sunlight but cool. Carnations grow faster when planted in full sun, but they do best in cooler climates. Ideally, the plant receives four to six hours of direct sunlight per day, however it is recommended that you plant it in partial shade if you live in a hot climate (USDA Zone 8 or higher). ^{[4] [5]}

Check the soil for planting. Carnation prefers loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Water should drain quickly and not sit on compacted hard ground. You can till the soil and add potting soil to provide additional nutrients. Although it is not necessary to test the soil pH when growing carnations, if a garden soil pH test kit is available, you can adjust the pH so that the soil is slightly alkaline (about 6.75). ^[6]

• Garden soil pH test kits are available at garden stores and online. However, this is also not a mandatory tool when growing carnations, as this plant is quite well adapted to the pH of the soil.. ^[7]

Sow seeds. You should plant carnation seeds in winter (in hot climates only), spring, or summer (in cold climates only). Place the seeds on the ground and cover with a layer of soil about 0.6 cm thick. You can also dig a trench of the same depth, place the seed down, and cover it with soil. Ideally, each seed should be spaced 15cm apart to reduce the risk of rotting and spreading disease. ^[8] If the soil is not large enough to grow plants at such distances, you can plant the seeds in clusters, but be careful not to over-water them.

• If growing seedlings, you just need to transfer the potting soil covering the roots to a hole twice as wide as the root pot, then backfill with soil. Remember not to cover any part of the stem of the seedling; you need to fill the soil as high as the old level.

Water the plants after planting. Watering immediately after seeding or planting baby carnations will benefit the seeds and plants, but be careful not to water more than the soil can drain. A few days after planting, the seedlings need moist but not soggy soil. ^[9] Once the plant has taken root and recovered, care for it as described in the tree care section.