How to Plant, Grow and Care for Dianthus Flowers – Full Guide

Dianthus, often called Pinks, Carnations, or Sweet William, is a lovely addition to any garden.

They come in a delightful array of colors, but for a truly enchanting scene, I’ve found that a garden bursting with various shades of pink is a sight to behold.

With their fringed flowers and delightful fragrances, these gorgeous flowers will help bring your cutting garden to perfection.

Growing them is easy once you get the hang of it. I’ve compiled all of my tips to ensure your Dianthus thrives, whether you plant them in pots or in garden beds!

Quick Dianthus Details

• Scientific Name: Dianthus spp.
• Other Common Names: Carnations, Sweet William, and Pinks
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
• Height When Fully Grown: 6 inches tall to 3 feet
• Native Area: Europe and Asia

There are over 300 species of Dianthus, but these lovely plants are all typically referred to as “Dianthus.” Here are some popular Dianthus species I’ve encountered:

• Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
• Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
• Cottage Pink (Dianthus plumarius)
• Chinese Pinks (Dianthus chinensis)
• Grass Pinks (Dianthus armeria)

I’ve found that Dianthus varieties range in size from compact border carnations reaching 1-2.5 feet, to taller perpetual flowering varieties reaching up to 3 feet.

Dianthus’s foliage is strappy and grass-like. Some varieties might have dark green or even silver-green leaves, but the Dianthus I’ve seen typically boast beautiful blue-green foliage.

While Dianthus presents stunning colors, pink varieties truly steal the show. From soft baby pink to vibrant fuchsia, there’s a perfect pink Dianthus to complement any mixed-border garden.

Many Dianthus varieties are known for their delightful clove-like fragrance, but their intensity varies. Some varieties pack a fragrant punch, while others offer a subtler hint of spice.

I’ll discuss some of the different Dianthus varieties below.

Notable Dianthus Varieties

The Dianthus flower offers hundreds of different varieties—each with its own colors, size, and growing conditions.

If you’re thinking of adding some to your garden, here are a few types of garden pinks I recommend.

1. Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Carnations are popular cut flowers with a spicy fragrance, so they’re often used in floral arrangements.

They come in pink, red, white, and salmon and thrive best in humid conditions. They also grow up to 36 inches tall.

2. Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

This biennial blooms in its second year and is known for its bright colors and sweet fragrance. I’ve found it grows well in borders and makes for good ground cover.

Sweet William flowers come in various colors, including red, pink, and white. This Dianthus cultivar thrives in nearly any environment.

3. Chinese Pinks (Dianthus chinensis)

China Pinks are compact plants perfect for borders or in pots. Unlike most dianthus, these don’t like heat or humidity.

The red, white, or pink double flowers are native to China and a few other Asian countries.

4. Maiden Pinks (Dianthus deltoides)

I recommend Maiden Pinks for rock gardens. In terms of sunlight, this variety can tolerate partial shade.

These spread easily, so they’re great for ground cover. They feature bright pink flowers and grow up to 6 inches tall.

5. Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)

Cheddar pinks are known for their frilly petals and clove scent. They grow up to 12 inches tall and thrive in well-draining soil.

They’re ideal for rock gardens and borders.

These flowers are perfect for sunny spots in the garden, as this variety also cannot tolerate light frost or wet soil.

6. Cottage Pinks (Dianthus plumarius)

‘Rose de Mai’ Border Pinks, also known as gillyflower, is an older variety with pale pink, highly fragrant flowers.

I recommend complementing them with other cottage-style plants for a casual, blousy, and low maintenance garden.

7. Alpine Pinks (Dianthus alpinus)

Alpine pinks are compact, short-lived perennial types native to the Alps.

These sun-loving flowers boast fragrant, single, or double blooms in shades of pink, cerise, and white from late spring until early summer.

Alpine Pinks are an excellent choice if you want to grow perennial Dianthus along borders, walkways, or rock gardens.

8. Fringed or Large Pink (Dianthus superbus)

Standing out with big, fringed flowers in bold colors, this Dianthus genus is easy to spot. They prefer mountain air, growing up to 80 cm tall at higher altitudes.

Unlike most Dianthus, which have a spicy scent, these flowers boast a delightfully sweet fragrance. As their name suggests, they look like they were trimmed with pinking shears.

This herbaceous, short-lived perennial dianthus has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, contraceptive, and anti-inflammatory agent.

NOTE: I caution against consuming perennial Dianthus, as they can be mildly toxic to humans and pets.

Dianthus Care: Fundamentals

Now let’s talk care. Growing Dianthus flowers is pretty easy, but here are my tips to keep their blooms pink and their foliage blue-green!

Sunlight and Shade Requirements

Dianthus plants are drought-tolerant. They love full sun and need at least six hours of daily direct sunlight.

They can handle some partial shade, but too little light will result in fewer repeat blooms and leggy growth.

For the best results, I recommend planting them in a spot where they get morning sun and some afternoon shade. Water them regularly during early summer to keep them thriving.

Potting Mix and Soil Types

Dianthus flowers prefer a well-draining medium. They thrive in slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Avoid planting them in heavy clay soils, as this can cause root rot.

Improving soil conditions with organic mulch or using raised beds can help. I suggest using a potting mix formulated for flowers.

For established Dianthus, apply compost in early spring and side-dress with a balanced fertilizer.

For biennials or annual dianthus, apply liquid fertilizer monthly during their bloom time.

Ideal Fertilizer Types

From my experience, dianthus flowers aren’t heavy feeders. The best fertilizer for them is a balanced, slow-release type with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.

I usually apply this in early spring, and it works wonders. Just remember to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can lead to lots of foliage but fewer blooms.

For a little extra boost, you can also use a diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.

Watering Frequency and Moisture Requirements

Dianthus flowers are pretty easy-going when it comes to watering.

They don’t need much fuss—I find an inch of water a week usually does the trick. Since they love well-drained soil, they thrive in rocky or sandy soil.

The key is keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

I like to stick my finger in the dirt—if the top inch or soil line is dry, it’s watering time! I give them a good, deep soak rather than little sprinkles every day so that the roots can grow deeper.

Note that when early summer arrives, they’ll need to be watered more often.

When you first plant dianthus, water them well every few days if the soil is dry. But once they’re settled in, they can handle drought pretty well.

Pointers for Planting Dianthus

From my experience, dianthus plants are versatile and can be planted directly in the ground or in containers. Here’s how to do it!

Planting in the Ground

Dianthus flowers thrive in well-draining soil, which allows excess water to escape freely.

Space plants according to your chosen variety, as some get bushier than others:

• 12-18 inches apart for larger varieties
• 6-8 inches for compact ones

Pick a sunny spot in your garden. These flowers crave the full sun, especially during bloom time.

Planting in Containers

Dianthus flowers can also survive in pots.

Their compact size makes them ideal for balconies or patios. Just use a container with drainage holes and a good-quality potting mix that drains well.

Also, they’ll still need the full sun, so position your pot accordingly.

Although you can grow Dianthus in pots, they’re primarily outdoor plants and thrive best in garden settings. Bringing it indoors for long periods might not be ideal.

Propagating Dianthus

You can grow Dianthus from seeds, stem cuttings, or by dividing existing plants. If you want to propagate Dianthus plants, here are a few simple methods I’ve learned.

• Seeds – This method is great for starting new varieties or getting many plants at once.

1. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost to encourage deep rooting.
2. Dianthus seeds are tiny, so barely cover them with soil.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
4. Once the frost has passed, gradually acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting them.

• Stem Cuttings – This is a faster way to grow Dianthus plants.

1. Select non-flowering shoots with at least a few nodes.
2. Use clean, sharp pruners to cut just below a node at an angle.
3. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
4. You can opt to dip the stem end in rooting hormone and plant Dianthus in a pot with a well-draining potting mix. Alternatively, you can place the cutting in a glass of water until roots develop.
5. Cover the pot or glass with plastic wrap to create a humid environment.
6. Once its roots are established, gradually introduce your new plant to outdoor conditions before planting Dianthus in its final location.

• Division – This method works best for established, clump-forming Dianthus varieties.

1. Carefully dig up the entire Dianthus plant in the spring or fall.
2. Use a sharp knife to gently separate the plant into sections, each with healthy roots and shoots.
3. Plant each division in a prepared hole with a well-draining medium. Water thoroughly.

Pruning and Deadheading

I advise regularly pruning your Dianthus to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, prolongs this plant’s bloom time and prevents self-seeding, which can lead to overcrowding.

To do this to your Dianthus flowers, you can:

• Prune: Trim back dead foliage or overgrown stems to promote healthy new growth.
• Deadhead: Snip off spent blooms just above the nearest set of healthy leaves to encourage more blooms and prevent the plant from using energy to produce seeds.

Tackling Dianthus Problems

While Dianthus is generally a low-maintenance plant, I’ve discovered it has a few common issues that can delay its bloom time. Here’s everything you should watch out for.

Diseases

Common diseases include root rot, crown rot, and stem rot.

• Root Rot: Overly wet soil leads to decayed roots. Ensure it’s planted in a well-draining medium and avoid overwatering. Remedy this by trimming the diseased roots and replanting it in fresh soil.
• Crown Rot: This will turn the plant base brown and mushy. To deal with this, improve drainage, avoid mulching close to the base, and remove infected plants.
• Stem Rot: This causes stems and the green foliage to discolor and collapse. Do not use organic mulch around the stems; use gravel to suppress weeds.

Pests

Dianthus plants can sometimes attract pests. Here are two common pests and how to handle them.

• Aphids: These are tiny insects that suck sap from plants, causing distorted growth. Get rid of them by spraying them with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can also introduce natural predators like ladybugs.
• Spider Mites: These small mites cause stippling and will turn your Dianthus’ dark green foliage yellow. Spray your plants with water to dislodge the mites, or use insecticidal soap if the infestations persist.
• Slugs: Leave an appropriate amount of space between your Dianthus plants to avoid slug problems, and remove any slugs you see by hand.
• Sow Bugs: These bugs hide in moist spots, like under plant and vegetation debris. Remove their hiding spots to handle them.
• Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers are attracted to well-irrigated yards, and love to eat plants like Dianthus. Treat your plants with insecticide for a few weeks to reduce and eliminate grasshopper activity.

Other Guides from Planet Natural:

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Cardinal Flower – Full Guide

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Scabiosa Flower

• Author

Melissa Pino

Melissa Pino is a biologist, master gardener, and regular contributor for Planet Natural. Melissa's work focuses on promoting environmentally-friendly practices, helping people create healthy gardens and finding ways to achieve overall health and wellness.