How to Prune Dianthus

The Dianthus genus of plants includes flowers such as the sweet William and carnations. They are attractive flowers that are very easy to grow from seeds. The Dianthus is a commonly cut flower to put in vases and other floral arrangements.

Materials You’ll Need

• Scissors or other cutting device


• Containers

1. Take scissors, cutting shears, gardening snips, or other cutting device to the Dianthus plants.


2. Cut the stalk of the flower above a leaf set to the main stem. This should be around the time flowers start to open in the late spring.


3. Wilted, dead, or diseased plant pieces and flowers should be put into one container, while fresh flowers should be put into another.


4. Water the plant generously after cutting back the Dianthus.


5. Use the dead flowers and plant pieces in a compost pile while using the fresh flowers in arrangements or vases.


6. Keep an eye on the plant and pinch off the flowers as soon as they start to lose their petals.


7. Keeping the flowers pinched back keeps the plant from producing seed and extends the blooming season.


8. When you’re done with the pruning and the subsequent blooming season, leave the flowers on the plant to drop petals and dry down. They should produce seed in the late summer.


9. Keep these flower seeds for next year’s garden, for a seed swap, or for others you know that plant flower garden beds. This seed if left on the plant will drop and re-seed in the location of the drop.