Carnations are a herbaceous perennial that can be grown as an annual. They prefer cooler summer climates and moist, well-drained gritty soils high in organic matter. There are many carnation cultivars and varieties in many colors and sizes. A taller variety of carnations (3' to 4') is grown for the florist industry and may be used as cut flowers and boutonnieres. Carnations are a good choice to add great color to the sunny border or a container on the patio. The bloom time can be prolonged by deadheading spent blossoms and pinching out the center of the plant will promote bushy growth. Carnations are intolerant of high heat and might be a poor choice for the southern garden. They bloom in midsummer. preferring sun, but cool temperatures and moist well-drained soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline. Rust and crown rot can be problems. They are the host plant for the larvae of several moths, including the Cabbage moth ( Mamestra brassicae ) and the Large yellow underwing ( Noctua pronuba ) .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow grey-green or blue-green strap-like leaves are up to 6 inches long, paired and joined at nodes: Opposite, simple, sheathing, linear, thick, flattened, keeled.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant; Good Cut
Flower form
Cyme; Head
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Semi to double fragrant blooms grow in loose cymes on stiff, elongate peduncles. The flowers have ruffled petals in many colors with a cylindrical calyx and few bracts. The stamens are often petaloid.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem detail
Branched, nodes appear swollen, conspicuous, with stipular scar.
Flowers have been used in tonic cordials in the past to treat fevers. An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. It is traditionally prescribed in European herbal medicine to treat coronary and nervous disorders.