Growing Carnations from seed:

• Carnation flowers, known for their ruffled petals and delightful fragrance, are popular choices in gardens and floral arrangements around the world.

• These blooms come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and yellow, each often associated with different symbolic meanings like love, admiration, and friendship.

• Carnations are relatively easy to grow and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a favorite among gardeners.

• Beyond their beauty, they are also quite durable, with a long vase life, making them ideal for cut flower arrangements.

• Historically, carnations have been used in various cultural and traditional ceremonies, adding a touch of elegance and sentiment. In addition to their ornamental use, some varieties of carnations are edible and have been used to add flavor and garnish to culinary dishes.

Start Indoors:

• Timing: 8-10 weeks before last spring frost

• Seed Depth: 1/8"

• Germination time: 8-14 days

• Transplant out: After last frost date

Quick Guide

Plant Specifications

Step-by-Step Instructions - Starting Seeds Indoors

Collect Supplies:

• Seeds

• Seed starting trays or pots

• Seed starting mix (sterile)

• Labels and a marker

• Plastic wrap or a humidity dome

• Spray bottle or watering can with a fine nozzle

• Grow lights or a sunny windowsill

  Timing

  • When to Start: Begin the process about 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.

  Preparation

  • Clean Containers: Sterilize your seed starting trays or pots to prevent disease.

  • Moisten Seed Mix: Slightly moisten your seed starting mix so it's damp but not soggy.

  Planting Seeds

  • Fill Trays: Fill each cell in the seed tray with the moist seed starting mix.

  • Sow Seeds: Place 1-2 seeds in each cell.

  • Label Trays: Label each tray or pot with the variety and the planting date.

  Germination

  • Cover Seeds: Cover seeds with a light layer of soil, targeting a depth of 1/8". Add a thin layer of fine vermiculite on top of the soil to prevent algae growth on soil surface.

  • Moisten Surface: Use a spray bottle to mist the top of the soil.

  • Create Humidity: Cover the seed trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain moisture.

  • Warmth: Place the trays in a warm location (70-75°F or 21-24°C). A heat mat can help.

  Light and Watering

  • Lighting: Once the seeds germinate (about 8-14 days), remove the cover and place the seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny windowsill. Provide 12-16 hours of light per day.

  • Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water from the bottom if possible to prevent damping-off disease.

  Take Care of Seedlings

  • Thinning: Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell or pot.

  • Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting outdoors, start to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing time periods each day.

  Transplanting Outdoors

  • Timing: Transplant the seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

  • Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Amend with compost if needed.

  • Planting: Plant seedlings 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety.

  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.

Browse our selection of Carnation seeds