Botanical Name: Dianthus chinensis ‘American Pie® Key Lime Pie’

Common Name: Dianthus, Pinks

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 5–9; Often Grown as a Cool-Season Annual

Size: 8–12" Tall × 10–14" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Performs Best in Average to Fertile Garden Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Regular Water During Establishment

Bloom Season: Early Spring through Late Spring; Often Reblooming in Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Fresh Lime-Green to Soft Yellow Blooms, Decorative Frilled Petals, Unique Cool-Season Color

Uses: Containers, Borders, Edging, Mass Plantings, Cool-Season Displays

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Dianthus Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Dianthus ‘American Pie® Key Lime Pie’

Dianthus ‘American Pie® Key Lime Pie’ is a playful and distinctive cool-season dianthus selected for its fresh lime-green to soft yellow blooms. The uniquely light and bright coloration brings a cheerful twist to traditional cool-season palettes, making it stand out in mixed containers and garden beds. The flowers feature decorative, softly frilled petals that add texture and charm above a tidy, compact mound of foliage.

This variety thrives in cooler temperatures, blooming heavily in early spring and often reblooming in fall as temperatures moderate. Its compact growth habit stays neat with minimal maintenance, making it a fun choice for gardeners who want a pop of unconventional color in their cool-season plantings.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Key Lime Pie has been a reliable performer with a refreshingly unique hue that pairs well with both bold and pastel companions. It establishes quickly, maintains a neat silhouette, and holds its blooms evenly across the plant.

We especially like it for accenting mixed containers and border combinations, where its bright tones bring lift and contrast without overwhelming surrounding plants—perfect for designers and home gardeners alike who want cool-season color with personality.

American Pie® Key Lime Pie vs. Other Dianthus

Key Lime Pie is the most playful and unconventional option in the American Pie® Series. Its fresh lime-green to soft yellow blooms stand apart from the pinks and reds of Berry À La Mode, Bumbleberry Pie, and Cherry Pie, making it the most unique color offering in the series. While less saturated than the others, its novelty makes it especially effective as an accent plant.

Compared to the Super Trouper™ Series, Key Lime Pie feels more whimsical and decorative, while Super Trouper varieties deliver cleaner color blocks and stronger cool-season reliability. Super Trouper Yellow reads brighter and more uniform, whereas Key Lime Pie offers softer, more nuanced tones. Against Amazon™ Lavender Magic, Key Lime Pie remains compact and ornamental, prioritizing garden charm over large blooms and cut-flower performance.