Oriental Pink Plant Care

Oriental Pink (Dianthus orientalis) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Dianthus genus. Oriental Pink is native to the Levant, Anatolia, the Transcaucasus and the North Caucasus, Iraq and Iran, and disjunctly in Tibet and Xinjiang in China.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Oriental 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.

Oriental Pink thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Oriental 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.

Oriental 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.

Oriental 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 Oriental 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.

Oriental 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.

Oriental 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.

Oriental 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.

Oriental Pink grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Oriental Pink is native to the Levant, Anatolia, the Transcaucasus and the North Caucasus, Iraq and Iran, and disjunctly in Tibet and Xinjiang in China. In cooler regions, grow Oriental Pink as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.