Alphabetical Plant Listing

Dahlia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


The rich variety of their flower colors, shapes, and sizes, added to their extensive blooming season, have turned Dahlias into a popular addition to our landscapes.

What are Dahlias?

  • Dahlias belong to the daisy family, Asteraceae, which also includes sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia flowers.
  • Originally from Central America and Mexico, they are tender perennials, coming back year after year as long as they are protected against freezing temperatures.
  • Dahlia flowers are a popular addition to our gardens and containers. They are also popular as cut flowers.
  • Blooming in summer and early fall, Dahlia flowers can be single or double, as small as 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, or as large as a dinner plate, up to one foot (30 cm). They offer an impressive range of colors, such as pink, purple, red, scarlet, orange, yellow, and white, and can be stripped or tipped with another color.
  • The foliage is usually green, but some Dahlia varieties display gorgeous deep mahogany-to-black leaves, which contrast strikingly with the bright flowers.
  • Dahlias grow from underground tubers, with the top growth dying back in winter and re-sprouting in spring.
  • They are hardy to USDA Zone 8, where they can be cut back and left in the ground to overwinter. In colder areas, they will have to be lifted after the first harsh frost and stored over the winter.
  • Dahlias thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained, sandy soils, although they can grow nicely in heavy clay soils.
  • Dahlias are not considered poisonous to humans, but their tubers and leaves can be toxic to pets and livestock if ingested in large quantities.

What is Special about Dahlia Flowers?

Ornamental value: Dahlia flowers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a popular choice for gardeners who want to add visual interest and beauty to their landscape.

Long blooming period: Dahlia flowers typically bloom from mid-summer through the first frost, providing a long-lasting display of colorful blooms.

Versatility: Dahlias are versatile plants that can be grown in gardens, borders, and containers. They are also a popular choice for cut flowers and floral arrangements.

Symbolic meanings: Dahlia flowers are associated with different meanings in different cultures, with some seeing them as a symbol of dignity and elegance, while others associate them with betrayal or warning.

Guide Information

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Dahlia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Dahlia Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dahlia Guides with Dahlia

junko nishimoto, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Dahlia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Dahlia Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dahlia Guides with Dahlia

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