Carnation Dianthus 'Joy' (p)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Dianthus 'Joy', often known simply as Carnation or Pinks, displays a delightful array of colors and a distinctive fragrance that makes it a favorite among garden enthusiasts. The plant typically produces tightly clustered blooms that exhibit a range of colors including shades of pink, red, and sometimes white or bicolored patterns. Each flower is a petite marvel, intricately fringed or patterned along the edges of the petals, which can vary from being deeply serrated to having a more delicately laced appearance. The blossoms sit atop slender, sturdy stems surrounded by narrow leaves, which are usually a bluish-green to grayish-green shade that contrasts nicely with the vivid flowers. Carnations are treasured for their sweet, spicy scent that can perfume an entire garden space, especially on warm days. These plants often have a compact, mounded habit, presenting a dense, tufted appearance that adds texture and interest to any floral setting, be it in garden beds, borders, or containers. The foliage is evergreen in some climates, providing year-round visual appeal even when the plant is not in bloom. Overall, Dianthus 'Joy' is a charming and colorful plant that is visually appealing and sensorially captivating, with its vibrant blooms and pleasant aroma.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caryophyllaceae
- Synonyms
  Pink, Sweet William, Carnation, Gillyflower
- Common names
  Dianthus 'Joy'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Carnations, including the Dianthus 'Joy' variety, are generally not considered toxic to humans. However, ingesting significant quantities of any plant material can potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting. Reporting specific cases of poisoning from Dianthus species is rare and they are often grown in gardens and used in floristry without concern for human toxicity.
- To pets
  Carnations, such as the Dianthus 'Joy', are typically non-toxic to pets as well. They are not listed on the common toxic plant lists for pets like dogs and cats. Nonetheless, it is still possible for pets to have a mild gastrointestinal reaction if they consume a large amount of the plant, which may result in symptoms like mild gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you suspect your pet has ingested a large amount, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  6
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: Dianthus 'Joy' blooms with vibrant, colorful flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of any garden space.
- Long Blooming Season: This variety often boasts a lengthy blooming period, providing color and interest for an extended time.
- Easy to Grow: Dianthus 'Joy' is known for being easy to cultivate, making it suitable for beginner gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, these plants can tolerate periods of dryness, requiring less frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires minimal care, saving time and effort in garden upkeep.
- Compact Size: Its relatively small size makes it a good choice for borders, containers, or small garden spaces.
- Cold Hardy: Dianthus 'Joy' can withstand cooler temperatures, making it viable for a range of climates.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms can attract bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for pollination in the garden.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Cut Flower Arrangements: The Dianthus 'Joy' is often used in cut flower arrangements due to its long-lasting blooms and attractive fragrance, adding color and a delicate scent to bouquets.
- Edible Decorations: The petals of Dianthus 'Joy' are edible and can be used to decorate cakes, salads, and desserts, adding a touch of elegance and a mild spicy flavor.
- Perfumery: The essential oils extracted from Dianthus 'Joy' can be used to create perfumes or scented candles, contributing a sweet and floral note.
- Textile Dye: The flowers of Dianthus 'Joy' can be used to create a natural dye for textiles, offering hues ranging from light pink to a more profound reddish color depending on the mordant used.
- Botanical Art: The vivid colors and patterns of Dianthus 'Joy' flowers make them suitable for pressing and using in botanical art, such as herbarium sheets or framed plant art.
- Garden Borders: Dianthus 'Joy' can be planted as a garden border, where its dense growth habit can help define garden paths and contain soil or mulch within garden beds.
- Special Occasion Gifts: Potted Dianthus 'Joy' plants make attractive and thoughtful living gifts for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or as a symbol of affection.
- Craft Projects: Dried Dianthus 'Joy' flowers can be used in craft projects, such as creating floral wreaths, potpourri, or decorative sachets.
- Fragrant Drawer Liners: The petals of Dianthus 'Joy' can be dried and placed between linens or in drawers to impart a fresh, floral fragrance to fabrics and clothing.
- Photography Subjects: Dianthus 'Joy', with its bright and multi-colored blooms, provides an excellent subject for photographers looking to capture the beauty of flowers and nature.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Carnation is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Carnation is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Divine Love: The name "dianthus" comes from the Greek words "dios" (divine) and "anthos" (flower), implying a heavenly or divine love.
- Passion: The vibrant colors and spicy fragrance of carnations often symbolize deep passion and energetic emotions.
- Admiration: Carnations are commonly given as a sign of admiration and fascination towards another person.
- Distinction: The flower can represent a sense of uniqueness and a pride in standing out from the crowd.
- Pure Love: The purity of the white carnations is associated with pure love and good luck.
- Maternal Love: Carnations are traditionally worn on Mother's Day as a symbol of a mother's pure, undying love.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Sweet William should be watered deeply to encourage root development, which typically means supplying the plant with 1 inch of water once a week. In hot or dry weather, it might require additional water. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar diseases. Water the plant at the base, and allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions, as Sweet William prefers moderately moist, not soggy, soil. During the winter, watering can be reduced as the plant goes dormant.
Light
Sweet William thrives best in full sunlight, meaning it should receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. A south-facing position will provide optimal light conditions. However, in extremely hot climates, Sweet William can benefit from afternoon shade to protect it from scorching.
Temperature
Sweet William prefers cooler temperatures and can struggle in extreme heat. They can endure temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and up to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, Sweet William enjoys daytime temperatures of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit and cooler night temperatures.
Pruning
Pruning Sweet William is important to promote bushier growth and encourage more blooms. Deadheading spent flowers will stimulate new blooms. Additionally, after the blooming season, it's beneficial to cut back the foliage to keep the plant tidy. The best time to prune is late summer or early fall after the plant has finished flowering.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Carnations like well-draining soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels, around 6.7 to 7.5. A good mix to use for Dianthus 'Joy' would be a blend of loam, sand, and peat for optimal growth and drainage.
Repotting
Carnations do not require frequent repotting; repot Dianthus 'Joy' every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & Misting
Carnations prefer moderate humidity levels but are quite adaptable. Aim for humidity levels around 40-50% for Dianthus 'Joy'.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, allow soil to dry slightly between watering.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to partial shade, in fertile, well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Dianthus 'Joy', commonly known as Pinks, starts with seed germination, typically occurring in late winter to early spring when temperatures allow. Following germination, the seedlings develop a basic root system and foliage, transitioning into a vegetative growth stage characterized by the development of a dense clump of grassy, blue-green leaves. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, producing fragrant, colorful blooms that are often used in cut flower arrangements. After blooming, the plant sets seeds which can be collected for propagation or allowed to self-sow, continuing the life cycle. Throughout the growing season, Pinks may undergo multiple flushes of blooms if deadheaded regularly. In fall or winter, the plant may become dormant, especially in colder climates, surviving through underground parts until the next growing season begins.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Dianthus 'Joy', commonly known as Pinks, is often propagated through the method of stem cuttings, which is a popular way of creating new plants. This form of asexual reproduction is typically done in late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most active. To propagate Pinks through stem cuttings, a gardener would select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3 to 5 inch segment (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 cm), making sure to include several sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is often dipped into rooting hormone before being planted in a moist, soilless potting mix. Adequate warmth and humidity are maintained to encourage rooting, and within a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and can then be transplanted into the garden or a permanent container.