How to Water Carnations

Co-authored by Maggie Moran

Last Updated: October 20, 2020 References

Carnations are known for their brilliant colors and strong fragrance, but they can also be very delicate. Overwatering is a common problem that leads to yellowing or rotting flowers. Carnations require very little water, so check the soil’s moistness first to avoid this problem. If you keep cut carnations, set them in a vase of clean water mixed with additives like sugar. Properly caring for your carnations can lead to beautiful, long-lasting blooms.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Watering Carnations in Soil

1
Water carnations once a week. Since carnations survive better in dry conditions, you do not need to add water often. Frequent watering can prove dangerous for your plants. The only time you may need to water carnations more frequently than once a week is in the summer.^{[1]
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- Check the soil often, especially in the summer. Increase watering to 2 to 3 times a week as needed.
- Also be aware of rain in your area. You may not need to water your carnations if you get over 1 in (2.5 cm) of rainfall in a week.
2
Provide water in the morning or at night. These are the best times to water the carnations because of the lower temperatures. Water added during the early morning hours has some time to soak in before the sun comes out. If you add water at night, the soil stays moist overnight.^{[2]
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- Night watering can be helpful if you find out that your soil dries too quickly during warmer months.
- Watering during the day is safe and should be done if your plant needs water right away.
3
Test the soil's moisture before watering by pushing your thumb into it. If the soil feels moist and your thumb is able to easily pass through it, your carnations likely don't need to be watered. If you can’t push your thumb between 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) into the soil, the soil is too dry and you should water your carnations.^{[3]
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- Carnations need little water, so waiting until the soil is almost completely dry prevents overwatering.
4
Give each carnation 1 in (2.5 cm) of water. Pour the water directly onto the soil. Avoid getting the carnation itself wet, since this can cause the flower to turn yellow or rot. Let the water soak down to the plant's roots.^{[4]
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- A dripping irrigation system is safe to use, but avoid spraying carnations with a hose.
- Another way to water carnations is to lightly mist them 2 to 3 times a week.
5
Grow carnations in well-draining soil. Soil that drains poorly leads to overwatering, which can kill your plant. Good soil softens when water is added to it but never becomes waterlogged. If you grow carnations outdoors, make sure water doesn’t pool on top of the soil.^{[5]
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- Pot growing is easier to control. Use any type of pot that has drainage holes on the bottom, and fill it with a high-quality potting mix.
- You can amend outdoor soil to drain better. Dig up about 6 in (15 cm) of soil, then mix builder’s sand or compost into it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Caring for Carnations in Vases

1
Cut the carnation’s stem at an angle with a knife under running water. Reduce the length of the stem so that the carnation fits in the vase. You may need to remove as much as 1 in (2.5 cm) from the stem’s bottom end. Using a sharp knife while holding the stems under running water, cut the stem diagonally at a 45-degree angle.^{[6]
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- Avoid using scissors. Scissors crush the stem, making it harder for the carnation to absorb water.
2
Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water. Water exposure will cause these leaves to rot, so remove them ahead of time. You may only need to remove the lowest leaves, if you have to remove any at all. Pluck them or slice them off close to the stem.^{[7]
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- Many times, the stem is long enough to keep the leaves out of the water. You won't need to remove leaves if your flowers have long stems.
3
Choose a clean vase to store your carnations. Dirty vases have pathogens that can reduce your carnation's lifespan. Wash your vase out with dish soap and hot water first, and then rinse it very well to ensure all of the soap is gone.
- To avoid contamination, wash out the vase anytime you change out the water.
4
Fill the vase ⅔ full with cold water. Clean tap water is safe to use. After filling the vase, place the cut stems in the water, making sure no leaves are submerged.^{[8]
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- Room temperature water is also safe to use, although using cold water prevents air bubbles from blocking water absorption inside the stem.
- Warm water should be avoided since it causes flowers to fade faster.
5
Add sugar to the water to preserve the flowers. Pour about 2 teaspoons, or .33 oz (9.4 g) of white sugar, into the vase. Remove your carnations before mixing the sugar into the water. Sugar adds nutrients for the plant to absorb, leading to longer-lasting carnations.^{[9]
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- If you don’t have white sugar, lemon-lime soda will also work.
- Another option is flower food purchased from a florist shop. Mix the plant food into the water according to the directions on the label.
6
Pour vinegar into the water to eliminate bacteria. Add about 2 tablespoons, or .5 fl oz (15 mL), of white or apple cider vinegar. Vinegar sterilizes the water, keeping your carnations fresh.^{[10]
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- Instead of using vinegar, you can pour several drops of any type of alcoholic spirit into the vase.
- If you use flower food, you do not need to add vinegar. The flower food will protect the plant from bacteria.
- You may also use 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of bleach if you don’t have any vinegar.^{[11]
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  Jeanne Walker
  Florist
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.}
7
Change out the water when it looks cloudy. Within a few days, the water will be contaminated by dust and other debris. It will no longer appear clear. Remove your carnations, dump out the old water, then refill the vase with new tap water. Return the carnations to the vase after rinsing the stems under cold, clean water.^{[12]
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- The water will need to be changed every 1 to 3 days.
- Try to change the water every day if you think of it to help your flowers last longer.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jeanne Walker
  Florist
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.}
- With proper care, carnation cuttings may last 2 to 3 weeks in a vase.
8
Use food coloring if you want to change the color of your carnations. This works best with white carnations, although you can do it with other colors as well. Simply add 10 to 20 drops of food coloring to the water in your vase. Within a day, the dye will spread as the carnation absorbs the water.^{[14]
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- For example, turn a white carnation red by adding red dye to the water.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I add to the water in my vase to help my flowers last longer?

Jeanne Walker
Florist
Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jeanne Walker

Florist

Expert Answer

Try adding a drop of bleach to the water. The bleach will keep bacteria levels low so your flowers stay fresh for longer.
Question

How often should I change out the water for cut carnations to keep them fresh?

Jeanne Walker
Florist
Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jeanne Walker

Florist

Expert Answer

I recommend changing out the water every day with fresh, cool water. Doing it every day will really help your flowers last longer.
Question

Where should I keep a vase of cut carnations so they stay fresh?

Jeanne Walker
Florist
Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jeanne Walker

Florist

Expert Answer

The most important thing is to keep them out of direct sunlight. Put the vase in a cool, dark place or at least in a spot with filtered sunlight. You wouldn't want to put it on a window sill in the sun.
Question

How much sun does a carnation need?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Carnation plants need to be in partial shade most of the day, as they do not tolerate direct sun well.
Question

How do you keep carnations alive?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

You need to place plants in well-draining soil in a place with at least partial shade. Water adequately and supply a fertilizer specific for carnations every 6 weeks.
Question

Do carnations need a lot of water?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

They need to be watered well when planted, then continually once a week through the spring and summer, especially if rainfall is less than an inch.
Question

How much water does a carnation drink?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

Carnations drink about 1 inch of water a week. They prefer dry soil, so they don't need a lot of water to grow.
Question

Why did my carnations absorb food coloring more rapidly when I added bleach to the water?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Bleach splits up in sodium chlorate and sodium nitrate. If water contain sodium ions, the plant will absorb more water, and thus color faster.

Things You'll Need

Watering Carnations in Soil

Well-drained soil
Soil amendments if needed
Watering can or mister

Caring for Carnations in Vases

Clean vase
Dish soap
Sharp knife
Cold water
White sugar
White or apple cider vinegar
Food dye for coloring

Keep your cut carnations out of the sun so they don't droop.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Jeanne Walker
Florist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.}

Thanks!
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