How to propagate carnations?

Carnations or Dianthus are fragrant flowers with bucolic charm emblematic of natural gardens. From spring to late summer, they bloom in many colours and adorn borders of perennial beds, rockeries and window boxes. Whether florist's carnations, pinks, or Sweet William, all species can be propagated by cuttings, allowing you to easily multiply favourite varieties. Discover in this tutorial how to propagate carnations easily!

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When to propagate carnations by cuttings?

Propagation by cuttings of carnations is generally done in spring or summer. Success rate is very good at this time, when plant is in active growth. However, take only non-flowering, non-bud-bearing shoots.

How to propagate carnations by cuttings?

Start by choosing a healthy, vigorous carnation plant free of disease.
Place a layer of clay pebbles in bottom of pot
Fill pot with seed compost up to 2 cm from rim or use a free-draining mixture of sand and compost, then firm lightly
Using a pruning shear, take non-floriferous shoots 10–15 cm long

Remove lower leaves from cutting
Keep half of the upper leaves and trim their tips to reduce foliage evaporation that would unnecessarily exhaust cutting. Retain only one or two pairs of leaves at tip of shoot.
To increase chances of success, you can dip base of stems in a plant hormone for propagation by cuttings, although this is facultative.
Plant two-thirds of stem into substrate
Firm soil around cutting with hand to hold it upright.
Using a sprayer, regularly moisten compost, but without excess so it does not dry out.
Place cuttings in shade and sheltered from wind
Carnation cuttings root quickly in 2–3 weeks.
After 2–3 months, cuttings will be sufficiently rooted. Time to repot these young plants individually into larger pots using potting compost.
During winter, shelter these young shoots in a bright, unheated room or in a cold greenhouse at minimum 10 °C and space out watering.

When to plant carnation cuttings?

Next spring, you can plant young carnations directly in ground, keeping their bucket if it is biodegradable. Plant in April–May when risk of frost has passed. Sit plants in light, well-drained soil that stays cool in summer, in full sun or partial shade. Very resistant to disease, once established carnations require little care provided soil remains perfectly drained.