Miniature Carnation Cut Flower Production in Utah Kellie Webb, Melanie Stock, Ben Scow, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Claudia Nischwitz, and Nick Volesky
Overview
Carnation is one of the most popular cut flowers worldwide and has been grown for centuries. The delicate, fringed petals of miniature carnation have a spicy, clove-like scent and are often used commercially in potpourri and perfume. Florists value the scent, versatility in both large and small design work, long vase life, and broad range of colors, which include yellow, orange, pink, white, red, and purple. While traditionally grown under cover in regions like Colombia and Ecuador, carnation may be a viable cut flower for U.S. Intermountain West growers, as plants tolerate frost and grow well in both cool and warm seasons. In Utah State University (USU) trials, miniature carnation also reliably produced blooms with limited water and nutrients but was sensitive to weed pressure.
Site Preparation
Carnation is an easy-to-care-for, adaptable annual that tolerates ranging temperatures, including light freezes. Though medium water and nutrient needs and a preference for slightly acidic soils, this crop is also productive with reduced water and in Utah’s alkaline soils. Optimal conditions include loamy, well-drained soil with full to partial sun. Carnation thrives with an afternoon reprieve from the heat, serving as a good crop choice for locations that offer morning sun and afternoon shade. It will also tolerate full-sun conditions.
Cultivars
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) originated in the Mediterranean and is available in standard or spray forms. A standard carnation was selected to have a large, single bloom per stem, whereas spray carnations have multiple, smaller blooms per stem. Miniature or “vintage” carnations, the focus of this fact sheet, are exclusively available as a spray with a sweet and spicy, clove-like scent. Documented as early as 1904, Chabaud carnation reaches heights of 24 to 40 inches and has thin, silvery-gray to blue-green foliage. Blooms are fringed, or “frilly,” with 1.5- to 2-inch petals in a single layer (singles) or multiple layers (doubles) in soft and romantic shades (Figure 1). Popular cultivars from the French Chabaud series include ‘Benigna,’ ‘Jeanne Dionis,’ and ‘Picotee Mix.’ See Table 1 for a description of selected miniature carnation cultivars.
Figure 1. ‘Benigna’ growing in a high tunnel.
Utah State University Extension | July 2025 | Peer-Reviewed Fact Sheet | CutFlower/01
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