When to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Unlike other bulbs such as tulips, dahlias like warm soils so plant dahlia bulbs during the warmer and longer days of spring. Dahlias are usually planted about the same time you would plant your vegetable patch. Dahlia bulbs can be planted as late as mid-June in most parts of the country.
Where to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Dahlias will thrive in full sun but can tolerate some partial shade—usually the more sun, the bigger the flowers. Try to select a location that receives at least six hours of sun sheltered from the wind and with very good drainage. Dahlias require soil amending such as deep tilling and adding compost. You'll want to ensure the soil is loamy and well draining. Dahlia’s are heavy feeders! To encourage vigorous plants and healthy blooms, apply fertilizer at the time of planting or during the growing the season. Dahlia’s do not require a high Nitrogen fertilizer but one higher in Phosphorus and Potassium. Check your fertilizer bag for a 5-10-10 for the best option.
How to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the Dahlia bulb. Put the tuber in the hole with the “eye” on the tuber facing up. The eye is the point on the shoulder, or crown, of the tuber from which the plant grows. If you are planting a number of dahlias in the same location, they should be separated by about 2 feet to give each plant room to grow. The shorter varieties can be planted closer together. Plan for the rows to be 3 to 5 feet apart depending on the size of the plant. Fill in with soil to just cover the top of the bulb. As you begin to see new growth appear, cover again with soil. Covering the stem gradually will allow the stem to strengthen so it can support the flowers. Unless it is a very dry spring, it is not be necessary to water at the time of planting. The tubers will begin growing with the warmth and moisture in the soil. It is vital that they form a root system early in their planted life to assure a strong and healthy plant. Watering at the time of planting may encourage rot but as soon as your dahlias are growing above the ground, water deeply to encourage strong roots.
How to Care for Dahlias
Young dahlia plants do not need a lot of water, excessive water can lead to rotting of the plant. For larger plants, a good rule of thumb is to water if the rainfall is less than one inch in seven days. Pots require more regular watering. As the plant grows, remove any broken or damaged foliage. Good air circulation, especially near the ground is needed by the plants to prevent powdery mildew. Once the plants are several feet high the lower leaves can be removed to increase air circulation. Your dahlias will continue to bloom prolifically right up until frost. A heavy frost will kill the plant so you may want to dig the half a dozen or more tubers the plant has produced. Those tubers can then be stored and grown next spring! Be sure to pinch younger growth to encourage a bushier plant and ultimately create a sturdier plant with more blooms. Remove spent flowers to give nutrients and space for even more blooms to come!
Customer Photos

Cut Dahlias | Dana from Massachusetts

Pink Perfection | Debbie Karnes from Tennessee

Pocket of Seeds Farm | LaManda from Indiana

Worth A Wait | Donna Thomson from California

Daughters first real dinner plate!! | Thomas from Texas

Bouquet of dahlias | Bethany from West Virginia

Lovely Dahlias | Magali Rutschman from New Mexico

Dahlia | Brenda from Ohio

Dahlias | Hannah from Oregon

Dahlias and zinnias | Lauren from New York

Fresh cut dahlias | Lauren from New York

Dahlias | Brittaney Collette from Connecticut

Sky Valley Emory Paul Dahlia & others | Cheryl Beckert from Georgia

White dahlia | Sammi from Georgia

My beautiful Break Out dahlias! | Leslie from Maryland

Dinnerplate dahlia | Nimi Bhagawan from Delaware

Very First Dahlia Bouquet! | Christine Funk from Kansas

Dahlia garden | Donna from North Carolina

Proud Momma of 5ft Tall Dahlias! | Adrienne from Indiana

Dahlia’s at Dawn | Donna from Oregon

Glorious blooms | Amy from New Hampshire

Peach Dahlias | Geri from Missouri

One of my first dahlia cuttings | Jenny from Illinois

Dahlia Daydreams | Susan from Washington

Dahlias | Jane from California

Dahlias in containers | Jane from California

Dahlia flower | Miriam from Ohio

Watermelon dahlia queen of the garden | Jill from North Carolina

Dahlias After Frost | Abby Chandler from Massachusetts

Beautiful Dahlia Sunburst | Antonia Robicheau from California

A Blushing Bouquet! | Ledley from West Virginia

Dahlia Harvest | Jacqueline from North Carolina

Fleurel Dahlia in early June | Jonathan from North Carolina

Dahlia magic hour | Jamie from Oregon

Beautiful dahlia in the morning light | Samantha from Nebraska

Daisy Duke | Jing from Iowa

Dahlia | Rye from Oregon

My dahlias and carnations | Emi from California

First Breakout Dahlia | Afton from Arkansas

Cafe Au Lait Rose | Lesley from Washington

Dahlia and friend | Joy from Utah

Celestial Mix Dahlias | Margaret from Washington

My Dahlias | April from California

Dahlias | Kara from Michigan

Romance Dahlias in the Cottage Garden | Chelsea Davenport from Washington

Veggie basket | Maria from Tennessee

Most unusual | Debra from Oregon

Eden Brother Dahlia | Nicole Roach from California

Eden Brother Dahlia | Nicole from California

Dahlias | Janice Waggoner from Maine

Swing Dance Dahlias Mix | Linda Fisher from Iowa

Cafe Au Lait Dahlia | Courtney Cox from New York

God’s Bouquet | Barbara Wilson from Washington

Cutting Garden Outside my Bedroom | Lyn from Georgia

Dahlia from my Old Rose Mix collection | Alana from New Hampshire

My lovely Dahlia | Joni Brace from California

Dahlia beauty | Nancy from Michigan

Dahlia Mary Evelyn | Nancy from Michigan

First Dahlia Ever | Carol Tyner from Kansas

Dahlias and Zinnias and cousin Lee | Eileen from Louisiana

Hard to resist | Jill from North Carolina

The wonder of flowers | Jill from North Carolina

Dreamy dahlia | Kellee from Washington

Dahlia Delights | Rock from Rhode Island

Watermelon dahlia queen of the garden | Jill from North Carolina

Dahlias | Nikki from North Carolina

Sweet Nathalie Dahlia | Kimberly from California

Rembrandt dahlias | Jessica from Oregon

Adrienne’s Dahlia’s | from Indiana

Dahlia Perfection | Debbie Karnes from Tennessee

My bed of dahlias & gladiolas | Brooks from Washington

Zinnias and dahlias | Rhiannon M Lawson from Virginia

Dahlias | Denise from Michigan

Dahlia Labyrinth | Mary from Pennsylvania

My dahlia | Melany from Virginia

Single dahlia flower | Thu from Iowa

Dahlias | Amanda D Berger from Indiana

Dahlias | Amanda D Berger from Indiana

Dahlias | Amanda Berger from Indiana

Flower Garden Bouquet | Jennifer from North Carolina

Small world pompon | Jenna from California

1st year Dahlias | Jenny from Iowa

Fluerel Dahlia | Heather Dauffenbach from Minnesota

Dahlia | Olga from Illinois

Wonders of Summer | Pamela Wells from West Virginia

Dahlias! | Ashlee from New York

Gorgeous dahlia from Eden Bros! | Stephanie from North Carolina

Am I a florist yet? | Jacqueline Rice from Florida

Gorgeous salmon dahlias | Savannah l from North Carolina

Labor of love | Stephanie from Illinois

My very first dahlia! | Brooke from North Carolina

My ‘Belle’ dahlia | Nancy from Michigan

Dahlia Greatness | Ameera from New York

A Dahlia in the Sun | Amy Weishahn from Nevada

Driving Flowers | danielle from New York

Dahlia Pink and Purple stark | Bob from California

Gang of Dahlias | jessica from Virginia

Sunset Mix Dahlia | Tippi from Connecticut

Cafe Au Lait Dahlia | Jessica from Connecticut

Dahlia Mix Beauty | Hope from Utah