Carnation in Zone 6a & 6b
Dianthus caryophyllus
When to plant carnation in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Carnation needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 7–Mar 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 18–Apr 25 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 31–Sep 7 (~135 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-2.5 ft.
Carnation is the flower most people picture from a grocery-store bouquet, but the plant behind that image is a tender perennial, hardy in zones 6-8 and grown as an annual everywhere else. The seed-grown strain behind almost every home planting is Chabaud, a French heirloom bred for fragrance and cutting rather than the scentless, long-shelf-life carnations sold at florists today.
How carnation fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Carnation needs about 135 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Carnation.
Where to buy carnation seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing carnation" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Carnation in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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