Carnation in Zone 8a & 8b
Dianthus caryophyllus
Yes, carnation grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 4–Feb 11 and plant out Mar 18–Mar 25.
When to plant carnation in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 | Feb 4–Feb 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 18–Mar 25 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 31–Aug 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 8b
These go outside within two weeks of carnation in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 1–Apr 8
- MarigoldApr 1–Apr 8
- Bells of IrelandMar 18–Mar 25
- Orlaya (Laceflower)Mar 18–Mar 25
- Phlox (Annual)Mar 18–Mar 25
- SnapdragonMar 18–Mar 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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Carnation needs about 135 days from transplant to first bloom.
Carnation planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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)
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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 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Carnation in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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