Perennial dianthus plants return every year.
They prefer slightly alkaline soil and will go dormant with frost or temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
All dianthus plants are toxic to pets.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Plants that don’t get enough light can see a reduction in blooms or flower vibrancy.
Consider containers or raised beds for your plants if your garden’s soil is heavy clay.
Dianthus plants like a neutral to slightly alkalinesoil pH.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Water
Dianthus flowers need weekly watering.
Aim to give plants 1 inch of water per week, but avoid water-logging the soil.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants can tolerate a light frost but don’t like a deep freeze.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
If temperatures will be dipping below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cover plants with a frost blanket to protect them.
The flowers can also go dormant in consistently hot summer temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
Dianthus plants are light feeders and don’t need much traditional fertilizer.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
A shovelful ofcompostworked into the soil once a year nourishes the plants.
Types of Perennial Dianthus
Perennial dianthus varieties are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
They feature lovely, colorful, and fragrant flowers.
Mint Images / Getty Images
Flowers should be deadheaded once spent, especially on varietals known for repeat blooms.
Throughout the year, remove any stems or leaves that look diseased or damaged.
The plant will go dormant for the season and regrow the following spring.
Dianthus plants grow fast and are best started in the spring after all risk of frost has passed.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
One of the biggest issues dianthus plants have is vascular wilt.
Additionally, dianthus plants may have issues with other common plant pests, such as spider mites and aphids.
Dianthus plants are resistant to deer, though the same can’t be said for rabbits.
Blooms are heaviest inlate spring, with some possible rebloom into fall once the high temperatures ease.
What Do Dianthus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Dianthus blooms may be single or double, but all have the same jagged-edged petals.
The flowers are five-parted and fragrant in pink, pink-purple, or white.
They have a sweet, spicy scent with cinnamon and clove undertones.
The narrow, grass-like foliage may exhibit a mounded, erect shape, or trailing habit.
Overwatering can also cause leaves to start yellowing.
Ensure the soil is moist but not soggy.
Brown, Crispy Leaves
Plants that are underwatered can develop brown, crispy, or curled leaves.
The leaves and stems may also start to become floppy.
Dianthus plants' mounding shape and long blooming time make them welcome additions to any container garden.
Dianthus also works well in an alpine orrock garden, where they thrive in the fast-draining soil.
Dianthus can spread about a foot from the plant by self-seeding.
North Carolina State University.Dianthus deltoides.
North Carolina Extension Gardeners Plant Toolbox
Pinks.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.Carnation, Pinks (Dianthus).
