If you’ve never grown dahlias before, you’re in for a treat!
Few flowers give you the kind of payoff dahlias do. Plant a tuber in the spring, and by mid-summer you’re walking into the garden with armfuls of blooms. Seriously!
And despite their glamorous appearance, dahlias are actually pretty beginner-friendly once you know a few basics.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location
First rule of dahlias: location, location, location.
Dahlias love sunshine. The more sun they get, the better they grow and bloom.
Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6–8 hours of full sun each day. Dahlias planted in shady areas tend to grow tall and floppy and produce fewer flowers.
So if you’re debating between a sunny spot and a partly shaded one, always pick the sunnier option! Your future bouquets will thank you.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Dahlias want full sun and nutrient-rich soil. They are also what we call heavy feeders, which means they appreciate good soil and fertilizer.
Before planting, we recommend mixing fertilizer or compost into the soil. Giving your plants the nutrients they need at planting time sets the stage for a strong growing season. Healthy plants also handle weather, pests, and diseases much better.
Here on the farm, we rely on our own Dahlia Food fertilizer to keep our plants happy and blooming. We aren’t trying to give you a hard sell, but you should totally get some!
Your soil is basically the foundation of your garden so it’s worth investing in.
Step 3: Plant Tubers After Frost
Timing matters when planting dahlias. Dahlias are cold-sensitive, so wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before planting. The soil should be warming up and no longer soggy from spring rains.
Plant tubers about 4–6 inches deep and roughly 12–18 inches apart, depending on the variety.
If you’re wondering which way the tuber should face, don’t stress!. Laying it horizontally is usually easiest but dahlias are surprisingly forgiving about orientation. They will grow no matter which way they’re facing! Promise.
They mostly just want warm soil and a little patience. You may ask yourself “Why aren’t my dahlias growing yet?”
The honest answer most of the time? They’re just taking their sweet time. Most tubers sprout within 2–4 weeks, depending on soil temperature.
Step 4: Hold Off on Watering (At First)
This step may surprise you! After planting your tubers, do not water them right away.
Dahlia tubers already contain the moisture and nutrients they need to start growing. Watering too early can cause them to rot before they’ve even sprouted. YUCK!
Here on the farm, we wait until we see the first green shoot emerging from the soil before watering.
Once plants are established, dahlias prefer deep, occasional watering instead of frequent shallow watering.
Cold + Wet = BAD
Step 5: Support Your Plants Early
Many dahlias grow tall. Like, really tall. Wind and heavy rain can snap stems if plants aren’t supported.
The easiest solution is to add stakes or support netting at planting time.
Doing this early allows plants to grow naturally through the support system, and you won’t risk damaging roots later by trying to add stakes once plants are large.
Future-you will be very glad you did this step early.
Step 6: Feed and Care for Growing Plants
Once your dahlias are actively growing you can sit back, do nothing and enjoy. Just kidding! It's the growing season. They still want some attention.
Regular watering, sunshine, and occasional feeding will help plants produce strong stems and abundant blooms.
Happy plants = better flowers. And that’s the whole goal here.
Step 7: Cut Flowers Often
One of the best things about dahlias is that cutting flowers actually encourages more blooms.
When flowers stay on the plant too long, the plant starts putting energy into making seeds instead of producing new buds.
But when you harvest regularly, the plant responds by making more flowers. YAY!
This is why dahlias are such incredible cut flowers for home gardens.
So don’t be shy about cutting them. Fill the house with flowers. Share them with friends.
Step 8: Just Do IT!
Dahlias may look dramatic, but growing them doesn’t have to be complicated.
With sunshine, healthy soil, and a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with flowers all summer long.
And fair warning…
Once you grow one dahlia, it tends to turn into ten.
Then fifty.
Then suddenly you’re explaining to friends why your garage is full of tubers.
Ask me how I know.
