Chinese Pink Plant Care

Chinese Pink (Dianthus chinensis) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Dianthus genus. Chinese Pink is native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia, and southeastern Russia. Chinese Pink is also known as Rainbow Pink, Indian Pink.

Chinese Pink displays a compact, mounding habit growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Chinese Pink produces small, fragrant flowers in various colors like pink, red, white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Pink every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chinese Pink thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dianthus chinensis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Pink prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, slightly alkaline soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Pink to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Pink every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly alkaline soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Pink is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chinese Pink can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Chinese Pink while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Chinese Pink is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chinese Pink can be propagated through seeds, division, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to deptford pink plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Chinese Pink is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chinese Pink grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Chinese Pink is native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia, and southeastern Russia. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Pink as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.