Fringed Pink Plant Care

Dianthus hyssopifolius L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dianthus hyssopifolius, the fringed pink, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Portugal, Spain, and France, and it has been introduced to Great Britain.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Fringed Pink?

Plant Fringed Pink in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Fringed Pink Native To?

Native range4 countries

What Is the Fringed Pink?

Fringed Pink (Dianthus hyssopifolius) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Dianthus genus. Fringed Pink is native to Portugal, Spain, and France, and it has been introduced to Great Britain. Fringed Pink is also known as Thyme-leaved Pink.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Fringed Pink?

Water a young or newly planted Fringed 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Fringed Pink Need?

Fringed Pink thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fringed Pink Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fringed Pink?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Fringed Pink?

Feed Fringed 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Fringed Pink?

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.

Fringed 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Fringed Pink?

Fringed 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.

How Do You Prune a Fringed Pink?

Prune Fringed 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.

How Do You Care for a Fringed Pink in Winter?

Fringed 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.

How Do You Propagate a Fringed Pink?

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

Is the Fringed Pink Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fringed Pink?

Fringed 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fringed Pink Need?

Fringed Pink grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fringed Pink is native to Portugal, Spain, and France, and it has been introduced to Great Britain. In cooler regions, grow Fringed Pink as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Fringed Pink is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Dianthus genus — compare its care with other Dianthus species on PlantoScan.

Dianthus is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.

Fringed Pink thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Dianthus Species

Other Dianthus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dianthus hyssopifolius L., family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Cent. Pl. I : 11 (1755)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Fringed Pink is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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