Carnation in Zone 6a & 6b
Dianthus caryophyllus
Yes, carnation grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Mar 7–Mar 14 and plant out Apr 18–Apr 25.
When to plant carnation in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It 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.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of carnation in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 2–May 9
- MarigoldMay 2–May 9
- Bells of IrelandApr 18–Apr 25
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Apr 18–Apr 25
- Phlox (Annual)Apr 18–Apr 25
- RanunculusApr 18–Apr 25
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 bloom.
Carnation planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | Oct 5–Oct 12 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | Sep 20–Sep 27 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | Sep 15–Sep 22 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Mar 7–Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Aug 31–Sep 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | Aug 16–Aug 23 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
Bloom dates are about 135 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for carnation.
Where to buy carnation seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's carnation seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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 · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Carnation in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest