Miniature Carnation Cut Flower Production in Utah

Overview

Carnation is one of the most popular cut flowers worldwide and has been grown for centuries. The delicate, fringed petals of miniature carnation have a spicy, clove-like scent and are often used commercially in potpourri and perfume. Florists value the scent, versatility in both large and small design work, long vase life, and broad range of colors, which include yellow, orange, pink, white, red, and purple. While traditionally grown under cover in regions like Colombia and Ecuador, carnation may be a viable cut flower for U.S. Intermountain West growers, as plants tolerate frost and grow well in both cool and warm seasons. In Utah State University (USU) trials, miniature carnation also reliably produced blooms with limited water and nutrients but was sensitive to weed pressure.

Cultivars

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) originated in the Mediterranean and is available in standard or spray forms. A standard carnation was selected to have a large, single bloom per stem, whereas spray carnations have multiple, smaller blooms per stem. Miniature or “vintage” carnations, the focus of this fact sheet, are exclusively available as a spray with a sweet and spicy, clove-like scent. Documented as early as 1904, Chabaud carnation reaches heights of 24 to 40 inches and has thin, silvery-gray to blue-green foliage. Blooms are fringed, or “frilly,” with 1.5- to 2-inch petals in a single layer (singles) or multiple layers (doubles) in soft and romantic shades (Figure 1). Popular cultivars from the French Chabaud series include ‘Benigna,’ ‘Jeanne Dionis,’ and ‘Picotee Mix.’ See Table 1 for a description of selected miniature carnation cultivars.

Site Preparation

Carnation is an easy-to-care-for, adaptable annual that tolerates ranging temperatures, including light freezes. Though medium water and nutrient needs and a preference for slightly acidic soils, this crop is also productive with reduced water and in Utah’s alkaline soils. Optimal conditions include loamy, well-drained soil with full to partial sun. Carnation thrives with an afternoon reprieve from the heat, serving as a good crop choice for locations that offer morning sun and afternoon shade. It will also tolerate full-sun conditions.

Table 1. Selected cultivars of miniature carnation for cut flower production.

Benigna	Jeanne Dionis	Picotee Mix
Beautiful white to cream petals etched with dark red, pink, or maroon along the edges. The varying amounts of etching across each bloom makes this cultivar more marketable as a mix rather than a consistent or exact shade.	Pure white petals with an occasional hint of blush pink makes this cultivar ideal for wedding and event work. The petite blooms are perfect for boutonnieres and corsages.	Petals in this mix can range from pink, deep maroon, salmon, purple, cream, and white and have a high degree of “striping” inside the petals, as well as along the edges. This is a bolder mix with a lot of variety.

As always, a soil nutrient test is recommended in new planting areas or where soil testing has not occurred in 2 years. USU’s Analytical Laboratories (USUAL) perform soil tests, with pricing and sampling instructions available on their website.

For carnation grown in high tunnels, planning and preparation begin the previous fall by installing the plastic high tunnel covering before heavy rain or snowfall. This ensures the soil will not be too wet to work early the following spring and decreases the risk of disease. For both high tunnel and field plantings, till (or broadfork, if practicing no-till) and rake the soil smooth, forming beds that are 3 to 4 feet wide. If desired, install drip irrigation prior to planting.

Germination

Carnation can be direct sown or transplanted; however, transplants are recommended in Utah. Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting, with 2 to 3 seeds per cell in 72-cell flats or preferred size. Fill trays with a high-quality peat/perlite soilless media or seedling mix and cover the seeds lightly with fine vermiculite. Bottom water or mist the soil until emergence to avoid seed displacement. Carnation does not need light for germination. Expect germination between 7 to 14 days at 65 to 72 degrees. Once the seedlings emerge, begin watering deeply to moisten the cell and maintain temperatures at 65 degrees. Thin to the strongest seedling per cell (Figure 2).

Transplanting and Spacing

Early transplant during cool conditions is key for optimizing this crop, with temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees necessary to produce vigorous basal growth and branching. While carnation can tolerate light frosts and temperatures down to 28 to 30 degrees, prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperatures without cover may damage young plants. Conversely, transplanting when night temperatures exceed 65 degrees will produce undesirable, soft growth. Likewise, temperatures above 90 degrees may slow growth and flowering.

Flowering is also sensitive to daylength. Short days will encourage a greater number of nodes per plant, while long days (more than 12 hours, ideally 16 to 18 hours) will encourage carnation to flower faster (Freeman, 1965), regardless of stem length. Therefore, an early, cool establishment period promotes both multiple flowering buds and long stems.

For spring transplant, plan to plant into high tunnels 6 to 8 weeks before the last freeze date. Fields with low tunnels may be transplanted 4 weeks before the last freeze date (with frost cloth ready to cover plants for deeper freezes) or after the last freeze for unprotected field production (May). Harden off flats and plant in the morning, evening, or on a cloudy day to reduce transplant shock. Space plants 6 to 9 inches apart to avoid overcrowding at maturity; USU trials found 6-inch spacing to be adequate. Separate compacted roots. Settle the plants into place by gently packing and firming the displaced soil. Water deeply and thoroughly after transplanting.

USU research focused on spring transplanting to establish baseline production for high tunnel and field systems in Utah, limit the variability from winter conditions, and simulate drought conditions (see the USU Miniature Carnation Trials section on page 5). Transplanting high tunnels in the fall, however, is a new method to stagger production with spring transplant systems. While overwintering research is needed to determine survival, timing, quality, and yield thresholds in the U.S. Intermountain West, other regions reported success. In Albion, Maine (USDA Hardiness Zone 5a), Johnny’s Seeds overwintering trials showed 100% survival from a fall transplant around the first freeze date (October) in an unheated high tunnel. Carnations began blooming in late June of the following year, the same timing as USU’s spring-transplanted high tunnels. Fall plantings, however, reached 36 inches in height and produced greater yields, at 15 to 20 stems per plant. This account shows potential to improve quality and yield by fall-transplanting into a high tunnel and creating successive harvests by spring-transplanting a field after the last freeze.

Pinching and Trellising

Pinching is recommended for carnation, as this will encourage the stems to branch for more robust harvests. Pinch when young plants are approximately 12 inches tall (approximately 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting), removing 4 to 6 inches from the central stem. Pinching carnations may help to achieve multiple side shoots per stem (Farmer Bailey, 2024).

A horizontal trellis (also known as netting) is recommended to reinforce plants and promote straight, marketable stems, especially in high-wind locations. Carnation stems can be wispy and delicate and may topple under the weight of the flower heads. Under ideal field conditions, carnation can reach up to 40 inches tall, and mesh trellis (6-by-6-inch) pulled taut across the bed is the most effective support (Figure 3). Trellis is easiest to install before or right after planting and can also serve as a planting grid. Installing when the plants are taller is cumbersome and can damage the stems. Two methods for staking the trellis can be implemented. If shade or low tunnels are used, the hoops can support the trellis across the row. See USU Extension’s “Low Tunnels for Field Cut Flower Production” fact sheet for more information. Alternatively, wooden stakes or rebar can be installed at 3- to 5-foot intervals along the bed edge. Move the trellis upward as the plants grow to match half the height of the tallest stems.

Fertilizer

Carnation has moderate nutrient requirements. A general recommendation is 0.2 pounds of nitrogen per 100 square feet applied as a split application. For example, use up to 7 ounces (about ½ cup) of conventional urea fertilizer (46-0-0) or 1.7 pounds (about 6 cups) of organic 12-0-0 fertilizer. Apply half of the nitrogen amendment during soil preparation prior to transplanting and the other half before blooming begins. Slow-release nitrogen sources are also recommended. Add phosphorous and potassium before or at planting, based on soil test results, as these nutrients can build up in the soil. USU Extension’s “Urban Garden Soils: Testing and Management” is a useful tool for calculating nutrient applications.

Irrigation, Pests, and Disease

While the new transplants establish roots, irrigate 2 to 3 times per week to ensure the soil stays moist. Once established, carnation has lower water needs, and irrigation may be reduced to twice per week with up to 1.5 inches of water per week. Avoid overwatering and saturated soils, which can lead to root rot. Carnation is also vulnerable to weed and pest pressure, including aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spider mites, so keep a watchful eye on plants for early intervention and management. See Tables 2 and 3 for common diseases and pests, as well as USU Extension’s “Pest Management for Utah Cut Flower Production: Insects and Their Relatives.”

Harvest and Storage

Carnation has a longer maturation period than other annual cut flowers, with approximately 130 to 140 days from seed to bloom. Likewise, determining the right harvest stage for carnation is greatly dependent on the sales channel or market. Standard flowers with one bloom per stem are harvested when the bud is cracked and showing color (referred to as the “star stage”) or when petals are straight up or open but not yet horizontal. However, this stage is too soon to harvest spray carnations. Spray carnations, like the Chabaud series, should be harvested when at least one bloom on a stem is fully open and one to three other buds are beginning to open (referred to as the “paint brush stage”) (Figure 4). Blooms may be too mature when petals are horizontal and the center of the flower is exposed.

The acceptable minimum length for stems is 12 to 18 inches on local markets, though USU trials found a preference for stems that were at least 16 inches long.

Harvest using clean, sharp shears and cut the stem directly above a set of leaves. Stems will subsequently branch from this cut point. Line up the flower heads carefully and cut the bunch evenly to the shortest stem, wrapping securely with a rubber band (Figure 5). Band in 10- to 15-stem bunches, depending on stem thickness. Note, unlike most other cut flower crops that are specifically bunched by a single-color shade, carnation is inherently varied. In USU trials, local markets accepted bunches ranging around a shade with a varied degree of striping or edging. Always check with your local market for preferences. Stems are unmarketable (culls) if they are too short, deformed, or have damage. Immediately place bunches in clean buckets filled with several inches of cool water.

Floral preservative increases the vase life of a standard carnation. Preservative, however, may be less effective for spray carnations, as the blooms are at different stages of maturity and, therefore, do not take up the solution uniformly. Carnation can be dry-stored at 32 to 34 degrees for 2 to 4 weeks and wet-stored at 40 degrees for 1 week. Carnation is very sensitive to ethylene, especially if the bloom is open (i.e., no longer in the bud stage). Exposure to ethylene can cause premature wilting, also referred to as “sleepiness.” Vase life for carnation is considerable and can range anywhere from 9 to 28 days, when blooms are properly stored (Dole, 2017).

Economics

Carnation is one of the most valued cut flowers due to its pleasant fragrance, long storage window, long vase life, and versatility in floral design. Florists can use carnation in anything from vase arrangements, installations, and detailed design work, like boutonnieres and corsages. Carnation also does well in floral foam, and is often used for funerals and weddings, with the frilly blooms adding both softness and texture. Carnation is, however, readily available from imported wholesalers. Miniature carnations may be priced as low as $6 to $8 per bunch (Agricultural Marketing Service, 2025). However, highly fragrant and soft-palette heirloom varieties, like the Chabaud series, are more difficult to find. As such, heirloom spray carnations may be a good crop option for local growers. In florist markets along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, expect prices ranging from $1.00 to $1.30 per stem.

USU Miniature Carnation Trials

In 2023 to 2024, miniature carnation trials were conducted at the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station –Greenville Research Farm in North Logan, UT (USDA Hardiness Zone 6a), as well as in Hurricane (8b), Kanab (7a), and Vernal (5b) in 2024. The goal of the North Logan study was to test high tunnel versus field production under water restriction. Irrigation was applied twice weekly and delivered up to 1.0 to 1.5 inches per week. Two cultivars, ‘Jeane Dionis’ and ‘Chabaud Benigna’, were trialed through transplanting into high tunnels in April (6 weeks before the last freeze date) and transplanting into the field in late May (right after the last freeze date). Methods to further conserve water were tested in each system. The plastic covering the high tunnels was replaced with shade cloth, creating a cooler, protected microclimate, and hence lower water demand. In the field, half of the soils were left bare, and the other half were covered with raw sheep wool at an application rate of 10 pounds per 16 square feet, which was approximately 4 inches thick at the beginning of the season. The effects on harvest timing, yield, and bloom quality were evaluated, as well as soil moisture and temperature.

Harvest began in the high tunnel in late June, approximately 4 weeks earlier than in the field, but the total yield from the field was generally greater than that from the high tunnel. Across the years, the average yield was three to seven stems per plant in the high tunnel, 11 to 12 stems per plant in the field without wool mulch, and 15 to 16 stems per plant with wool mulch. We averaged 81% marketable stems across these systems. Miniature carnation thrived with low water, and production was improved without the use of shade and with the application of wool mulch (Figure 6), which maintained greater soil moisture with limited irrigation, cooler rootzone soil temperatures, and provided a slow-release nitrogen source. Late spring freezes, insufficient irrigation (<1 inch of water per week), and weed competition all reduced yields. In the satellite sites of Hurricane, Kanab, and Vernal, yields ranged 3.5 stems per plant with 72% marketable (Vernal, unprotected) to 11.3 stems per plant and 87% marketable (Hurricane, high tunnel). Key differences were a need for early planting in southern Utah, where high tunnels helped moderate heat, to a later planting in Vernal to avoid cold injury.

Summary

Carnation is among the most popular and classic cut flowers worldwide, known for a spicy, clove-like fragrance and fringed petals. Coming in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, white, red, and purple, carnation is highly valued for its long vase life, versatility in floral design, and pleasant scent. Florists use carnation in diverse floral arrangements, from large installations to boutonnieres, and the blooms are durable in floral foam for weddings and funerals. While carnation is one of the most imported flowers worldwide, heirloom spray cultivars, like the Chabaud series, may be a great option for Utah growers wanting to offer a scented, romantic flower with an excellent vase life.

Table 2. Common diseases of carnations for cut flower production.

Disease	Identification	Control
ROOT, STEM, CROWN ROTS (Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia sp.)	Fungi that infect roots and crowns, producing dull-colored foliage or wilting followed by yellowing. Roots are dark, soft, or decayed. Plants may be stunted and eventually die.	Plugs should be transplanted with well-developed roots that are not root bound. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid excessive irrigation and moisture. Dig out and destroy infected plants.

Table 3. Common pests of carnations for cut flower production.

Pest	Identification	Control
APHIDS	A diverse group of small insects that damage plants by piercing tissues and sucking sap. This feeding causes distorted growth, yellowing, sticky honeydew residue, and may spread plant viruses.	Monitor frequently using visual observation and yellow sticky cards, as populations can increase rapidly. Release beneficial insects in covered crops (e.g., greenhouses, high tunnels) or attract them outdoors with flowering plants. A strong stream of water can dislodge and kill colonies. When pest thresholds are reached, use organic insecticides like insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils.
CATERPILLARS	The larval stage of moths and butterflies. Adults lay eggs on host plants, which hatch into larvae that feed on stems or foliage before pupating and continuing the life cycle. Common species like armyworms, cutworms, and loopers vary in severity. Identification: Coloration, host preferences, and life cycle timing differ by species.	Monitor damage severity. Use pheromone traps, insect netting, and support natural predators. Hand-remove or apply insecticide labeled for both pest and crop.
ERIOPHYID MITES (Eriophyidae)	Damage: Bud, blister, gall, and rust mites cause abnormal plant tissue such as galls and blisters. They affect aesthetics more than health. Identification: Microscopic (<3/64 in.), translucent, cigar-shaped, active early season.	Minimal control usually needed. Prune infected parts. Use horticultural oil if needed, noting low efficacy due to protection in galls/blisters.
FUNGUS GNATS	Common in wet greenhouses. Damage: Larvae feed on roots, stunting growth in young plants. Identification: Adults are ~1/8 in., dark, long-legged; larvae are translucent white.	Use yellow sticky traps and potato slice monitoring. Improve drainage, allow soil surface to dry, and use beneficial nematodes or mites.
GRASSHOPPERS	Highly mobile adults with large hind legs. Identification: Size, color, and life stage vary. Eggs overwinter underground.	Monitor early. Use baits (e.g., bran + carbaryl), trap plants, and row covers. Apply insecticides to trap plants if needed.
SHORE FLIES	Common in wet greenhouses. Don't feed on plants but spread fungal spores. Identification: Adults <1/16 in., dark gray, short antennae.	Use sticky traps. Control algae and drainage. Apply labeled insecticides for greenhouse use.
SLUGS AND SNAILS	Soft, slimy bodies with sensory tentacles. Snails have shells; slugs don’t.	Reduce moisture. Use copper barriers and iron phosphate or metaldehyde baits.
SPIDER MITES (Tetranychidae)	Feed under leaves causing stippling, bronzing, and scorch. Webbing at high populations. Identification: Microscopic, yellowish, active mid-to-late summer.	Avoid drought and dusty conditions. Control weeds. Use water spray, horticultural oil, or soap. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.
TRUE PLANT BUGS	Small (~1/4 in.) mottled brown bugs with triangle on back. Piercing-sucking damage causes stippling and distortion.	Monitor midsummer to fall. Remove weeds. Use insecticides like permethrin or malathion if thresholds are reached.
WEEVILS (Curculionidae)	Small (≤1/4 in.) snout beetles including billbugs and rose curculios. Damage: Boring and leaf notching. Identification: Color and life cycle vary by species.	Visually inspect or shake foliage. Use insecticide when thresholds are reached.
WHITEFLIES	Tiny (<1/8 in.) white flying insects. Feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Identification: Nymphs are flat, translucent, scale-like.	Use sticky traps. Encourage beneficials. Spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap on nymphs. Avoid overusing synthetic insecticides.
VARIOUS MAMMAL PESTS	Deer, rabbits, and rodents feed on or trample flowers and roots.	Exclude with fencing. Monitor activity. Use traps or bait for specific species.

Disclaimers and Acknowledgments

Using original figures and tables without written permission from the authors is prohibited. Panel 3 from Table 1 courtesy of Sego Lily Flower Farm. This project was funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, and USU Extension grants. The information reflects the views of the authors and not funding agencies.

References

• Agricultural Marketing Service. (2025). Specialty crops market news. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Dole, J. (2017). Post harvest handling of cut flowers and greens. Timber Press.
• Farmer Bailey. (2025). Dianthus and carnation growing guide (vegetatively propagated varieties).
• Freeman, R., & Langhans, R. (1965). Photoperiod affects carnations. New York State Flower Growers Incorporated.
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds. (2025). Dianthus (sweet William/carnation) - key growing information.
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds. (2024). Overwintering flowers.
• Maughan, T., Cardon, G., & Drost, D. (2016). Calculating fertilizer for small areas [Fact sheet]. USU Extension.
• Stock, M., Maughan, T., & Grossl, P. (2020). Urban garden soils: Testing and management [Fact sheet]. USU Extension.
• Stock, M., Maughan, T., & Miller, R. (2019). Sustainable manure and compost application [Fact sheet]. USU Extension.
• Utah Climate Center. (2025). Utah freeze dates. USU.
• Utah State University Analytical Laboratories (USUAL). (2023). Analytical laboratories.

Download PDF

Authors

Kellie Webb, Melanie Stock, Ben Scow, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Claudia Nischwitz, and Nick Volesky

Related Research

PreviousNext

Events

View Events Near You

Learn More

Take an Online Course Tips SIGN UP Find an Event