Growing Carnations from Cuttings: Pinching, Feeding, and Hardening Off

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) rooted from cuttings benefit from light pinching to encourage branching, but over-pinching stunts growth. A node is where a leaf meets the stem; pinch just above a node to stimulate lateral buds.

Pinching Guidelines

• Pinch only a few times early on; once plants have branched, let them grow vertically.
• If a pinched stem doesn’t regrow, you’ve likely overdone it.

Care for Young Plants

• Light: Full sun (8+ hours) after hardening off.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy.
• Fertilizer: Balanced 12-12-12 every 10 days, or side-dress with composted manure in spring and midsummer.
• Hardening off: After last frost, place in a protected outdoor spot for 7–10 days before full sun exposure.

End-of-Season Care

After first frost kills top growth, mulch with pine needles or leaf mold and cut back to 2 inches above ground. Many carnations are hardy only to zone 8; hardier Dianthus species may be better for cold climates.