Dianthus barbatus aka Sweet William

Taxonomy

Genus Dianthus Family Caryophyllaceae Order Caryophyllales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Dianthus barbatus, also known as "Sweet William," is a popular houseplant in the family Caryophyllaceae and is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It has become a popular ornamental garden plant, and its flowers are edible, fragrant, and have a peculiar spicy aroma. It can grow from 20 inches to 3 feet tall and needs regular watering to thrive, as well as long-lasting, direct light from a window less than 1 foot away. This biennial or short-lived perennial has five petals with serrated edges, and colors range from white, pink, red, and purple to variegated patterns. Wild plants produce red flowers with a white base. Sweet William attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, and has been cultivated in greenhouses and used for wine flavoring in France and Spain. The exact origin of its English common name is unknown but first appears in 1596 in botanist John Gerard's garden catalogue. It may also have medicinal properties.

Common names

Sweet William, Sweet William [Dianthus], Bloomy Down

How to care for Sweet William

Difficulty

Sweet William requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Sweet William should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Sweet William loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Sweet William requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Sweet William will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Sweet William to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Sweet William is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Sweet William does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The growth of Sweet William is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Sweet William’s native range is Europe and Asia.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Dianthus Genus

Dianthus strictus Dianthus Strictus

Dianthus balbisii Balbis' Pink

Dianthus repens Northern Pink

Dianthus sylvestris Wood Pink

Dianthus caryophyllus Carnation

Dianthus carthusianorum Carthusian Pink

Dianthus Pink

Dianthus superbus Fringed Pink

Dianthus armeria Deptford Pink

Dianthus graniticus Dianthus Graniticus