Garden Care Guide

Carnation Care

Dianthus

A hardy plant that generally has fragrant flowers and loves sun and well-drained, calcareous (alkaline) soils. Ideal for rock gardens and borders; its biggest enemy is heavy soils that stay wet in winter.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Make sure drainage is excellent so the root (crown) area does not rot.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
February
  • Pruning: You can remove parts that were damaged in winter or look very old.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: It is getting ready to wake; clean the surroundings.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Be careful about the risk of root rot.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: If rust (orange spots on the leaves) or leaf spot appears, use a fungicide with the active ingredient mancozeb.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Take care to keep the leaves dry to guard against fungal diseases.
May
  • Watering: Water deeply once a week.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering. Remove spent flowers regularly. The root collar rots if it stays wet; keep mulch away from the trunk.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high, so the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of heat stress.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month. Water newly planted specimens more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
October
  • Watering: Stop when the rains begin.
  • General care: Planting seedlings and propagation can continue.
  • Pests & diseases: Pay attention to the drainage of newly planted plants against root rot.
November
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
December
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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