Dahlia is a tuberous plant with many varieties of size and color and is a favorite for garden beds due to the ease of the dahlia care routine.

Dahlias are native to Mexico and can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones above zone 7. Below zone 7, dahlias are considered annuals, but the tuber can be dug up and stored for planting the following spring.

Dahlia care guide sheet

How Much Sunlight Do Dahlias Need?

One of the basics of Dahlia care is, the more sunlight received, the greater the number of blooms. A minimum of six hours of sun per day is necessary.

How Often to Water Dahlias?

Don’t water the newly planted tubers until small shoots appear. Once the plant is established, regular watering, depending on climate, is important.

Best Soil for Dahlias

A well-draining, yet nutrient-rich soil is needed. You can use commercial potting soil and add a handful of perlite and/or peat moss to the mix. 

The Dahlia comes in small, medium and large. The petite variety, around 2 inches tall, is perfect for the balcony gardener as they look lovely in window boxes. Other varieties grow between 1.5 and 5 feet.

Dahlia Care: Blooming

If tubers are planted in spring, Dahlias bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. Blooms will appear about 8 weeks after planting.

Since the Dahlia has many varieties, it has many shapes and sizes of blooms in many vibrant colors.

The blooms last a long time and should only be dead-headed when the petals start to turn brown.

Deadheading and pinching the plant will encourage growth and flowering.

Fertilizing Dahlias

Dahlias can be fertilized throughout the blooming period with a water-soluble fertilizer once per month.

Propagating Dahlias

At first frost, cut back the plant and gently dig up the tuber. You will see that the one tuber you planted has multiplied into several tubers.

Allow them to dry for a day or two and then store in a cool, dark place over winter, wrapped in sand or paper. They can be re-planted once all chance of frost has passed the following spring.

You Had Me at Gardening

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Gail Edwards
About the Author - Gail Edwards

I have been a fan of indoor plants for over 40 yearsand have over 60 plants in my home. I bought my first plant, a Schefflera, when I was a teenager and slowly began collecting and propagating different varieties of plants. Now that I am retired, I also devote time to an outdoor flower garden and a vegetable garden in the summer months. I live in Canada where the

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