Dianthus Flower: Learn How to Grow this Cluster of Pink Flowers?

Dianthus flowers have always confused me with carnations, and for half of my gardening journey, I thought they were the same. There are a lot of people who still do not know that Dianthus is a genus and carnations and similar pink flowers are part of this large umbrella. Fascinating, right? 

The fringed and ruffled design, accompanied by the clove-like scent, with a low-maintenance pollinator-friendly property, is all one can ever ask from a plant, and the dianthus flower proves its worth and significance in every way possible. 

If this is not enough, read ahead and let me take you through all the reasons why the Dianthus flower should be your next gardening choice. 

What is a Dianthus Flower? A Genus or Flower? 

The Dianthus flower is not an individual bloom but rather a name for a large genus from the Caryophyllaceae family that comprises various flowers, including the popular carnations. 

They are often confused with carnations due to their interchangeable use.

Having said that, whenever the word Dianthus flower is mentioned, it is a representation of a ‘ genus’ encompassing all the flowers under it.

Dianthus Flower Features 

Now that the confusion is clear, take a look at the origin and features of the Dianthus Flower: 

• Credit to the Greek botanist, Theophrastus, for naming the flower Dianthus, which is derived from the two words ‘dios’ (god) and ‘anthos’ (flower), translating to the divine flower or the flower of the God. 

• Popularly known as the ‘pinks’ and are a pollinator magnet, making them extremely beneficial for the garden. 

• Additionally, similar to the hyacinth flower, the dianthus also has a pleasant clove-like scent that makes it a popular choice for gardens and bouquets. 

Take a look at the plant features to clear out the basics: 

Family	Caryophyllaceae
Plant Type	Perennial, Biennial, and Annual
Scent	Clove-like
Colours	Pink, lilac, and white
Height	Up to 36 inches

Scientific Classification of the Dianthus Genus 

Here is the taxonomy of the Dianthus genus for a better understanding. 

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Caryophyllaceae Juss
Genus	Dianthus L

What are the Different Types of Dianthus Flowers? 

The Dianthus genus has over 300 species under it that vary in terms of flower colour, growth habit, and other plant features. 

Take a list of the most popular types of Dianthus flowers and their features: 

Image	Description
	Dianthus  caryophyllus  Common name:  Carnations  Height: 12-24 inches  Growth type: Perennials   Hardiness: USDA zones 5-8  Flowers: Multi- layered petals with rough edges.
	Dianthus barbatus  Common name: Sweet William  Height: 12-24 inches  Growth type: Short-lived perennial, but often grown as an annual  Hardiness: USDA zone 3-9   Flowers: Cluster of small flowers
	Dianthus chinensis Common name: China pink  Height: 6-10 inches  Growth type: Short-lived perennial, but often grown as an annual  Hardiness: USDA zone 7-10  Flowers: Flat fringed flowers
	Dianthus plumarius Common name:  Cottage pink, garden pink, scotch pink  Height: 12-15 inches  Growth type: Perennial  Hardiness:  USDA zone 3-9  Flowers: Ruffled and fringed petals
	Dianthus deltoides   Common name: Maiden pink  Height: 6-12 inches  Growth type: Perennial  Hardiness: USDA zone 3-9  Flowers: Small fringed flowers
	Dianthus gratianopolitanus  Common name: Cheddar pink, Firewitch Dianthus  Height: 2-6 inches  Growth type: Perennial  Hardiness: USDA zone 3-9  Flowers: Small flowers with fringed petals

Did you know? 

Just like how the Narcissus flower is the birth flower for December, the carnations are considered the January birth flower, symbolising love, admiration, and hope. 

Read next: What are the Different Types of Lettuce? Uses, Cultivation, and More

Can I Grow Dianthus Flower at Home? 

Planting the dianthus flower in your garden is an effortless way to elevate the living space with the pleasant scent and vibrant blooms of the dianthus. 

First, tick all the boxes for the growth requirements for the dianthus flower plant: 

Dianthus Flower Growth Requirements 

Soil type	Well-draining, sandy, or loamy
Soil pH	6.0 – 7.5
Sunlight	6 hours of direct sunlight
Water	Moderately, only in dry conditions
Planting season	Spring or fall
Fertiliser	Balanced fertiliser

Dianthus Flower Planting 

Let me break down the easy-to-grow guide for these blooms that I have tried and tested for several years now: 

1. Select a planting spot with a well-draining, slightly alkaline soil. 

2. Loosen up the soil and add a layer of compost to improve the soil quality and provide better water retention. 

3. Now sow the seeds not too deep in the soil and cover them, as they need to receive adequate sunlight to germinate. 

4. Make sure the seeds are at least 12 inches apart, as this ensures good airflow and also gives each plant room to grow. 

5. Water the dianthus flower plant moderately, only when the soil seems dry. Look for waterlogging in the plant. 

6. Mulch is not heavily advised, but you can add organic mulch; just keep it away from the stem, as it can lead to root rot. 

7. Fertilise the dianthus flower plant during the growing season. Once, while initial planting and then during the growing season in the summer. 

8. The dianthus seeds will germinate in about 14-20 days. 

How to Care for the Dianthus Flower Plant? 

Caring for the dianthus flowers is as effortless as planting them. This low-maintenance plant does not need extra hours put into its care, but rather just caution regarding the following things: 

1. Fertiliser: Feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertiliser once in the spring to summer (during the initial growing stage), but do not go overboard with it, as it prefers a moderate level of fertiliser. 

2. Deadheading Dianthus: Prune the dianthus flowers in late fall or early spring after complete growth. Deadheading the spent blooms not only helps maintain a proper structure but also helps in promoting bushier growth. 

3. Pest Control: Look for pests such as aphids and mealybugs that might harm the plant and treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil. 

4. Root Rot: Waterlogging and overhead watering lead to root rot. So, ensure the plant is growing in well-draining soil. 

5. Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but not too close to the stem. 

6. Frost Protection: Mulching is also crucial during the winter to protect the plant from the frost. For added protection, relocate the plant to a sheltered spot or cover it to avoid damage from deep freezes. 

7. Deer-resistant: Interesting, accompanying its perennial friend, Coreopsis flower, the dianthus is also resistant to deer and does not need any special care regarding the same. 

Also read: How to Start a Garden From Scratch? Simple Steps for First-Time Gardeners

How to Harvest the Dianthus Perennial? 

The best time to harvest the dianthus flower is when the blooms are about 20% open. This, personally, is the best part of planting a flower, as now I can finally bring it home in a literal sense. 

Here is how I propagate the dianthus flowers in 3 easy steps: 

1. Harvest the dianthus early in the morning when the morning dew has dried. 

2. Cut the stem using a garden shear just above the first set of leaves from the bottom. Do not cut completely, as it will halt the growth completely. 

3. Prepare a water-filled vase and place the harvested flower stems in it. 

4. These flowers will stay fresh for at least 7-12 days after being cut. 

Common Issues and Solutions About the Dianthus Flower 

Browning leaves are the most common issue with the Dianthus flower, and many times the reason is unknown or missed by the gardener’s attention. 

I faced and discovered some very similar issues on Reddit that every gardener encounters while planting dianthus. Take a look and discover the easy solutions: 

1. Dianthus – is this dead? 

   

   The Dianthus plant in the picture is not dead but is affected by pest infestations. 

   To revive the health of this Dianthus perennial: 

   • Prune the dead parts of the foliage to promote new growth. 
   • Treat the pest infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. 
2. Do I deadhead this dianthus at the cluster or each individual flower? 

   

   Deadheading the dianthus flower (Sweet William) should be done in clusters, especially with this variety of the flower. 

   However, there is no hard and fast rule for deadheading. 

   I have switched between both methods, and according to me, the following are the pros and cons of each, so choose what suits you the best: 

   • Cluster Deadheading: The most common and effective way of removing an entire cluster of flowers of spent blooms is by cutting at the red line shown in the picture. Although it removes the aesthetic appeal and the developing buds, along with the damaged ones. 
   • Individual Flower Deadheading: Snipping off individual flowers is a rather time-consuming task, although it is appropriate if all you want are the other flowers to keep blooming and maintain the aesthetics. 
3. Are my Dianthus dying? 

   

   The dianthus plant is facing the issue of browning and root rot that is caused by overwatering. 

   As was mentioned in the care guide, proper drainage is necessary to maintain the plant’s health. In this situation, remove the dead leaves, make sure the soil is draining water properly, and the dianthus plant receives 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Scientific Research and Findings About the Perennial Dianthus 

The Dianthus flower has antioxidant properties, and this is backed by medical research. 

Being a curious gardener, and planting a bloom makes me do research way beyond the planting guide, and this led me to studies that explained how these blooms have more to them than the colours and the scent. 

Research Summary Box 1  Study year: 2023  Sample type: Aqueous extract of the Dianthus orientalis and 20 rabbits divided into 4 groups  Aim: To analyse the effects of Dianthus orientalis against Paracetamol-induced oxidative stress in the rabbit  Key findings: The study recorded the antioxidant effects of Dianthus oriebtalis extract against the oxidative stress caused by Paracetamol.  The results were based on the following parameters:  The DO extracts stabilise the blood parameters like haemoglobin and red blood cells, which were reduced by paracetamol. It also had therapeutic effects on the liver and kidney serum markers like ALT, AST, and ALP, which saw a rise after the dose of paracetamol. The study concluded that paracetamol has adverse effects on the blood and lipid profile and degrades liver and kidney health.  The dosage of the aqueous extracts of the Dianthus orientalis balances all the mentioned profiles due to its antioxidant properties.  Source: MDPI

Research Summary Box 2  Study year: 2010 Sample type: Extracts from the Dianthus versicolor, Lilium pumilum, and perfused rat liver body.  Aim: To assess the Dianthus versicolor and Lilium pumilum extracts against the gastrointestinal effects.  Key findings: The research recorded that both the dianthus and the lilium extracts have choleretic effects, which means enabling the liver to produce more bile, which helps in aiding the process of digestion.  Source: Science Direct

Concluding Remarks 

The dianthus has a lot to offer in terms of blooms that can literally tick all the boxes for a flower to grow. I mean, I have always enjoyed growing different varieties of dianthus, right from Carnations to Firewitch dianthus. 

Not only are they deer-resistant, but they are also ecologically a smart garden choice, as they are a pollinator magnet.

So, there is no reason for not planting the pinks in the garden, as they will not only add the colour pink to the garden but also make it fragrant enough to make anyone fall in love. 

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