15 Types of Carnations to Grow at Home (with Pictures)

There are several different types of carnations out there. All of these flowers have different colors, patterns, and exciting features. Not all of them grow everywhere, though. In many cases, these plants have very specific needs that must be taken care of if you want beautiful flowers.

Luckily for you, we have done all of the legwork and selected several of our favorite varieties of carnations out there. Undoubtedly, one of these will catch your eye and work in your garden.

The 15 Types of Carnations to Grow at Home

1. Dianthus Caryophyllus

These flowers are one of the most popular carnations. If you purchase vaguely named “carnations,” it’s probably from this species. They come in many colors, including pink, red, white, and salmon. However, these colors are genetically linked, so you will typically know what color a specific plant is.

These plants do best in humid conditions and require a decent amount of water to produce their large flowers.

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2. Dianthus Barbatus

These carnations grow in practically any condition, which is why they are so popular. This plant is usually treated as a biennial. In other words, it takes one year for the plant to reach maturity and bloom the following year. Therefore, you will have to wait for these flowers longer than others.

These flowers are often bi-colored. However, beyond that, they vary substantially in coloration.

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3. Dianthus Grataniapolitensis

Unlike other flowers, these are almost entirely pink. They remain a single color (for the most part), unlike the standard bi-colored design. Sometimes, they come in slightly purple-pink or a more reddish pink. They are also called cheddar pink due to their coloration.

These pants are easy to grow and extremely attractive to bees and butterflies. However, they are practically ignored by deer in most areas.

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4. Dianthus Chinensis

Compared to other carnations, these flowers do not like the heat or humidity. As you might expect, they are most common in China, where they are native. However, they can be grown elsewhere. In the United States, they are a bit harder to find simply because there aren’t many producers.

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5. Dianthus Plumarius

These flowers bloom between May and August. They proliferate and reach about two feet tall in many circumstances. They have a frayed edge that is easily recognizable and provides a unique look that is easy to remember.

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6. Dianthus Chinensis Heddewigii

This reasonably unique carnation has an interesting flower structure. It is extremely unique-looking and appears to fold in on itself. The edges of the petals are velvety, and many describe the plant as appearing to have white lace.

This flower prefers well-drained soil and full sun. However, they aren’t very picky about their conditions.

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7. Dianthus Deltoides Maiden Pink

As you might expect from the name, these flowers come in either pink or red. They are short-term flowers that are often used as a ground cover, as they are very short. They also do well in full sun and well-drained soil.

Their smell is pretty wonderful, as well, which is one reason they are so popular. Therefore, if you want to add some interesting smells or sights to your garden, these flowers are a solid option.

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8. Dianthus Superstar Pink

These very pink carnations are two-toned. The inside is a darker red, while the outside is light pink. They do vary in shade a little bit, but all of them are pink—unlike in other flowers. These flowers are between six to eight inches tall, so they aren’t as huge as other options out there.

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9. Dianthus Armeria (Deptford Pink)

The soft pink of this flower makes it popular to use alongside other colorful flowers. It can grow very tall. In the wild, it often grows up to a foot tall. However, some captive varieties can grow even taller with the proper care.

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10. Dianthus Superbus

The Dianthus Superbus is a pretty unique flower. This plant has fringed flowers that come in a wide range of colors. Furthermore, they can also grow pretty low to the ground, which often means they can be used as a carpet plant.

You can even use these flowers to make a pretty tasty tea.

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11. Dianthus Pavonius

This plant is known for its unique flowers. These flowers are dark pink with brown or blue centers. These flowers prefer to grow in full sun. Therefore, they aren’t as versatile as some other options. Their foliage is blueish-green and pretty interesting by itself.

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12. Dianthus Pinball Wizard

While these flowers are pink, they come in many shades of pink. Often, they are covered with darker pink flecks and stripes. Therefore, despite just being pink, they are quite beautiful and interesting. They are well-loved by butterflies and bees. Therefore, we recommend them for butterfly gardens specifically.

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13. Dianthus Neon Star

This flower has incredibly frilly edges. Therefore, it is a great option to use in a garden as an accent flower. Furthermore, it is extremely easy to grow, making it the perfect option for beginners. We highly recommend it for this reason.

Plus, it is also heat tolerant and can withstand droughts.

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14. Dianthus American Pie

This flower is well-loved because it does well in sandy soil. Therefore, it grows well in areas where other flowers have a hard time. Their flowers are also pretty beautiful with vivid pink coloration. Each stem only grows a single rose, though. They are not in bunches like most carnations.

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15. Everlast Lavender Lace

This type of carnation has a raspberry center, making it pretty unique and well-loved. The soft lavender edges look a bit like lace. These flowers do prefer full sun, so they are best for areas with plenty of sun. They are a bit more difficult to grow than other flowers!

Conclusion

Carnations are well-loved, and they come in many different colors. Therefore, you can easily grow an interesting and beautiful garden out of just carnations if you want to. These flowers also vary from difficult to take care of to beginner-friendly. For this reason, it is vital that you do the proper research to understand where these flowers grow best and who they are best for.

Many of these flowers attract butterflies and bees to gardens with some regularity. Therefore, carnations are also a great option for bee and butterfly gardens.

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Featured Image Credit: Angeleses, Pixabay