Plant family
Pinks & carnations — Caryophyllaceae
51 species across 10 genera in the Growli library
The pink family gives cottage gardens their clove-scented carnations, pinks and sweet William (Dianthus), the frothy baby’s breath (Gypsophila) and a host of campions and rock-garden cushion plants, most with notched or fringed petals.
Browse pinks & carnations by genus
All pinks & carnations we cover
- Alpine Campion
- Alpine Mouse-ear
- Alpine Pink
- Annual baby's breath
- Autumn Catchfly
- Baby's breath
- Balkan Pink
- Balkan Rock Pink
- Bladder Campion
- Blood-Cupped Pink
- Cheddar Pink
- China pink
- Columnae Snow-in-Summer
- Creeping Baby's Breath
- Cushion Baby's Breath
- Cushion Sandwort
- Dianthus 'Doris'
- Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins'
- Dianthus deltoides
- Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch'
- Field Chickweed
- Field Mouse-ear
- Freyn's Pink
- Garden Pink 'Mrs Sinkins'
- Glacier Pink
- Greater Stitchwort
- Larch-leaved Sandwort
- Larch-Leaved Stitchwort
- Lesser Stitchwort
- Maltese cross
- Moss Campion
- Mountain Sandwort
- Neglected Pink
- Nottingham Catchfly
- Peacock Pink
- Ragged Robin
- Red Campion
- Rose campion
- Sand Pink
- Sea Campion
- Sea Mouse-ear
- Small-scaled Pink
- Snow-in-Summer
- Soapwort
- Superb pink
- Sweet William
- Telstar Mix China Pink
- Thyme-leaved Sandwort
- Transylvanian Pink
- Tunic Flower
- White Campion
Pinks & carnations — frequently asked questions
Are pinks & carnations toxic to cats and dogs?
Most pinks & carnations are not pet-safe. Of the 51 pinks & carnations in the Growli library, 39 (76%) carry a toxic or mildly-toxic ASPCA classification and 12 are pet-safe. They are not uniformly safe, so always confirm the exact species on its pet-safety page before trusting it around cats or dogs.
How much light do pinks & carnations need?
Most pinks & carnations want plenty of direct sun — 43 of the 51 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.
Are pinks & carnations easy to care for?
Some pinks & carnations suit experienced growers — several want strong light, sharp drainage or a specific seasonal rhythm. Check the individual species page for the exact regime before you buy.
What is the Caryophyllaceae family?
The Caryophyllaceae family — the pinks & carnations — groups 51 species across 10 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Dianthus, Silene, Cerastium. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.
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