How To Maintain Potted Carnations?

Carnations, heirloom, open-pollinated flower cultivars, are renowned for their enchanting fragrance and are an excellent choice for growth in containers. To ensure the best growth, it is essential to choose a spot with full sun, at least six hours of direct light per day, and well-drained soil. Carnations prefer temperate/Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers, and most carnations are grown in the ground but can also grow in pots with the right care.

Dwarf varieties are particularly well-suited for container growing, as they can fill containers or beds with masses of intricate flowers. To ensure adequate light, place your pots near a south or west-facing window, and consider using indoor grow lights if natural light is insufficient. Carnations prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.7 and 7.0.

When growing carnations in a pot, move containers so they receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. Water gently and keep soil moderately moist at all times, and mulch with organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip, or pea straw to a depth of 5-8cm. Use a premium standard potting mix when planting in pots or containers, and water at least twice a week during late spring and summer. Apply a sprinkling of cool water during very hot weather to help cool them down.

Carnations do best in low humidity, but an occasional light spritz of cool water during very hot weather may help cool them down a bit. To ensure optimal germination, keep seeds moist and warm, and start indoors or directly sown in the ground after the last frost.