Dianthus barbatus aka Sweet William

Taxonomy

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

To ensure optimal growth, the Sweet William prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

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