The carnation is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved cultivated flowers, prized for its ruffled, many-petaled blooms, long vase life, and rich color-by-color symbolism. It’s a florist staple and the traditional flower of Mother’s Day.
Carnation at a glance
- Botanical name: Dianthus caryophyllus
- Family: Caryophyllaceae
- Bloom season: late spring to summer (year-round cultivated)
- Symbolism: love, fascination, and distinction
About the carnation
Carnations grow on slender, blue-green stems with fringed flowers in nearly every shade, sometimes with a clove-like scent. Cultivated for over 2,000 years, they belong to the Dianthus family alongside pinks and sweet William, and they remain a favourite for bouquets and buttonholes thanks to their durability.
Carnation meaning and symbolism
The carnation symbolizes love, fascination, and distinction, with pink standing for a mother’s love. It’s January’s birth flower and the state flower of Ohio. See our carnation meaning guide for color meanings.
Types of carnation
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Standard (florist) carnations — one large bloom per stem
- Spray carnations — several smaller flowers per stem
- Dwarf / border carnations — compact garden types
- Pinks & sweet William — related Dianthus for the garden
How to grow and care for carnation
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Give full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil
- Water at the base and avoid wetting the foliage
- Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering
- For cut carnations, trim stems and change water often
- Enjoy their exceptional vase life of two to three weeks
Carnation FAQs
How long do carnations last?
Cut carnations are among the longest-lasting flowers, staying fresh for two to three weeks with clean water and regular stem trimming.
Are carnations perennials?
Many carnations are short-lived perennials, but they’re often grown as annuals or biennials. Border carnations and pinks are the most reliably perennial in the garden.
Do carnations have a scent?
Some do. Older and heritage carnation varieties often have a distinctive clove-like fragrance, though many modern florist types have been bred more for looks and longevity than scent.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.