1/10

Border Carnation

4.8 out of 5 (9 experiences)

Blooms easily

Survivor

About Border Carnation

Border Carnation is a super popular houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Plant parents describe this plant as easy to bloom and being a survivor with a whopping 2139 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟

Border Carnation likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Border Carnation belongs to the Dianthus genus, and is native to the Mediterranean.

⚠️ Border Carnation is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dianthus caryophyllus

Genus

Dianthus

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Also known as

Clove Pink, Gillyflower, Sweet William, Wild Carnation, Clove Golly-flower, Carnation, Violet Blue Pinks, Carnation or Pinks and Dianthus Oscar Dark Red

How to care for Border Carnation

💦 Water

How often to water your Border Carnation

Border Carnation needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Border Carnation in your home

Border Carnation love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Border Carnation does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Border Carnation in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Border Carnation

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Border Carnation: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Border Carnation after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #BorderCarnation

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Border Carnation is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Border Carnation →

Benefits of Growing Border Carnation →

Common Border Carnation Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Border Carnation →

Outdoor Care Guide for Border Carnation →

💦 Water Needs

Border Carnation prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Border Carnation Water Frequency →

Border Carnation Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Border Carnation requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Border Carnation Light Requirements →

Border Carnation Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Border Carnation is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Border Carnation doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Border Carnation Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Border Carnation does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Border Carnation →

Best Pots for Border Carnation →

When and How to Successfully Repot Border Carnation →

What Are Healthy Border Carnation Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Border Carnation grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Border Carnation →

🌎 Native Region

Border Carnation is native to Europe and Asia.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Border Carnation grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Border Carnation Lifecycle →

Border Carnation Size Guide →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Border Carnation can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Border Carnation Temperature Tolerance →

Border Carnation Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Border Carnation →

When to Plant Border Carnation →

How to Plant Border Carnation →

Where to Plant Border Carnation →

Winter Care for Border Carnation →

Best Companion Plants for Border Carnation →

Is Border Carnation a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Border Carnation can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Border Carnation →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Border Carnation, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Border Carnation →

What Eats Border Carnation? →

Care Summary for Border Carnation

Border Carnation

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Blooms easily 4

Survivor 4

Fast grower 3

Browns easily 3

Large, lush leaves 2

@@MarieD20

6 Plants

709 XP

Clifton Forge, VA

09/07/2021

Easy to take care of. I planted four years ago because my mom loves them

Border Carnation plant photo by @MarieD20 named Border carnation on Greg, the plant care app.

@Jill

15 Plants

485 XP

08/08/2021

beautiful blooms

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Browns easily

Survivor

Border Carnation plant photo by Jill named Wall-E on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Esbeydy01

2 Plants

125 XP

Salt Lake City, UT

07/28/2021

So far, I planted the seeds and just waiting for it to bloom…😬😬😬

Fast grower

Border Carnation plant photo by @Esbeydy01 named Donald on Greg, the plant care app.

@@savannahatkinson

39 Plants

1,094 XP

San Jose, CA

07/18/2021

Love the look of these leafy carnations! The flowers smell really good and they bloom easily! It doesn’t need that much light, but it loves being misted!

Large, lush leaves

Blooms easily

Survivor