How to Grow Burgundy Carnation
Burgundy Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
flowerBurgundy Carnations are deep wine-red flowering plants prized for their ruffled petals, long vase life, and clove-like fragrance. These popular cut flowers are ideal for borders, containers, and arrangements, offering reliable blooms from early summer through fall. They are a cultivar selection of the standard carnation with distinctive dark crimson to burgundy coloration.
When should you plant Burgundy Carnation in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Burgundy Carnation timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Burgundy Carnation
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Burgundy Carnation blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burgundy Carnation dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8; can be grown as annuals in cooler zones and perennials in warmer zones
Sign up free to see if Burgundy Carnation grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Burgundy Carnation timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny leaves emerge, very delicate with thin stems. Requires high humidity and consistent moisture.
Keep under bright light with bottom heat around 70°F. Maintain high humidity. Water gently from below. Thin seedlings if crowded.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksPlant develops a compact rosette of narrow, blue-green, linear leaves. Stem becomes more sturdy and woody.
Reduce humidity as plant matures. Ensure excellent drainage. Begin light fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch back early growth to encourage bushiness.
Bud Development
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at the tips of stems; buds are tightly closed and may appear lumpy or greenish-burgundy.
Maintain consistent moisture and full sunlight. Apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote flowering. Remove any damaged leaves. Ensure adequate air circulation.
Flowering
4-8 weeksBlooms open to reveal deeply ruffled, burgundy-wine colored petals with slight fragrance. Multiple blooms per plant over several weeks.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut stems in early morning when blooms are fully hydrated. Maintain consistent watering and full sun. Avoid overhead watering.
Decline & Dormancy
Weeks to months depending on climateFlowering slows as days shorten and temperatures cool (in fall/winter). Plant enters semi-dormant state.
Reduce watering slightly. Apply light fall fertilizer if desired. Cut back spent stems. Protect from freezing in zones below 8. In milder zones, plant may regrow the following season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity, spray with water mist, use neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until controlled
-
Spray with water, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, or introduce ladybugs
-
Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overhead watering, remove infected plants, disinfect tools, rotate planting locations
-
Improve air circulation, reduce humidity, spray with baking soda solution or sulfur-based fungicide
-
Remove infected leaves, improve air flow, reduce humidity, avoid wetting foliage, apply fungicide if severe
-
and
Remove debris, set slug traps, hand-pick at night, apply diatomaceous earth or copper tape barriers
Uses
Edible Garnish & Flavoring
CulinaryBurgundy carnation petals are edible and can garnish desserts, salads, and cocktails. They add a subtle spicy-clove flavor and elegant visual appeal to culinary presentations. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
HouseholdBurgundy carnations are industry-standard cut flowers prized for their long vase life (10-14 days), ruffled appearance, and deep color. They are essential in floral design, wedding arrangements, and everyday bouquets. [source]
Dried Flowers & Crafts
CraftBurgundy carnations dry beautifully and retain their deep color and form, making them ideal for dried arrangements, pressed flower crafts, and potpourri. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalHistorically, carnations have been used in traditional medicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, typically as herbal teas or infusions. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeCarnation flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, providing nectar and supporting beneficial insect populations in gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated and buds are just opening to fully open. Use sharp, sterile scissors and cut at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf node. Remove lower leaves that would sit below the waterline in a vase. For maximum vase life (10-14 days), place immediately in cool water with floral preservative. Re-cut stems every 2-3 days and change water daily. Harvest regularly to encourage more blooms.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Burgundy carnations are the national flower of Spain and are deeply embedded in Spanish cultural tradition, especially for celebrations and religious observances.
- 🌱 The modern carnation has been cultivated for over 2,000 years, with origins in the Mediterranean region, and they are the third most popular cut flower worldwide after roses and chrysanthemums.
- 🌱 The clove-like fragrance in carnations comes from the compound eugenol, the same chemical that gives cloves their distinctive spicy aroma, making them one of the few fragrant carnation varieties highly prized by gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Burgundy Carnation planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Burgundy Carnation seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Burgundy Carnation timeline →