So, you’re ready to grow dahlias. Congratulations! You are in for a treat.
We want you to grow the biggest, healthiest, most bloom-packed dahlias ever, so let’s clear up a few common myths.
Here are 5 of the biggest dahlia myths (and what to do instead):
Myth #1: “Water them right after planting”
Nope. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
Dahlia tubers are basically sitting ducks before they sprout. They don’t have roots yet, so all that extra water? It just sits there… and can lead to rot real fast.
What to do instead: Wait until you see green growth poking through the soil before you start watering regularly.
Once they’re up and growing, then you can water deeply and consistently.
Myth #2: “Dahlias don’t need full sun”
Dahlias are sun worshippers.
Plant them in part shade and you’ll likely get:
- Tall, floppy plants
- Fewer blooms
- A lot of disappointment
What to do instead: Give them at least 6–8 hours of full sun a day. More sun = stronger stems + more flowers.
Myth #3: “More fertilizer = more flowers”
The wrong fertilizer (especially high nitrogen) will give you:
- Huge leafy plants
- Very few blooms
Basically… all foliage, not a lot of blooms.
What to do instead: Use a balanced, bloom-supporting fertilizer (like our Dahlia Food 10-10-17) designed to promote strong growth, blooms, and healthy tuber development all season long.
Myth #4: “Don’t cut blooms or you’ll get fewer flowers”
This one couldn’t be more wrong.
Cutting flowers actually tells the plant: “Hey… we need more blooms!”
What to do instead: Cut often. Like, really often.
The more you harvest, the more your dahlias will produce. It’s a win-win: more bouquets and a fuller plant.
Myth #5: “You can’t grow dahlias in containers”
Ohhh but you absolutely can and they actually do really well in them.
This is especially great news if you:
- Have limited space
- Want to control soil conditions
- Or live in a colder climate
Plant your dahlias in a large container or grow bag (at least 5–10 gallons) with good drainage.
Bonus tip:
If you’re in a colder zone, you can skip digging tubers altogether. Just move the whole container into a protected space (like a garage or shed) for the winter.
So easy.
Final Thoughts
Dahlias aren’t difficult… but they do have their quirks.
Avoid these myths, and you’ll be on your way to stronger plants, more blooms, and a seriously impressive summer garden.
And honestly? Once you get the hang of it, you might find yourself completely dahlia-obsessed.
We’ve seen it happen!
