This popular bouquet flower prefers to be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date. Sow seed in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin plants to 2" to 3" apart and grow on.

For perennial carnations, cut the stems to an inch (a couple centimeters) in fall and if possible cover with dead leaf mulch. For annual carnations, pull them out in fall because they don't grow back year after year.

Dianthus Caryophyllus Chabaud Carnations grow as a perennial in frost free zones, or grow as an annual where winters are cold. Grow Carnation flower seeds in borders, planters and rock gardens.

There are a few widely used approaches to growing carnations from seed: You can start carnations indoors in seed-starting potting mix and transplant outdoors; sow directly in the ground; or cultivate in containers. Most plants won't produce flowers in their first year, so patience is key.. . . . .364011233411!]0000000000000009783314146702!]