How to grow Dahlias from tubers
I have been wanting to write this blog post for weeks but i didn’t want to until i woke up my own tubers! Here is my guide to growing Dahlias from tubers 🌸
My most favorite cut flower to grow are Dahlias. This is my guide to growing them from tuber.
I am a little bit of a risky gardener, i love to read tips and tricks about gardening, but i also rely heavily on my intuition and kind of do my own thing. It works for me and i have always had success in almost everything i have attempted to grow. Like i always say, we can follow guides to a T, but the energy you put into your garden will always determine the outcome.
If we are gardening with fear and we are not confident in something blooming, it probably won’t. But, if we are pouring love into what we are planting and we are confident, it will bloom for you. Try it, i swear it works!
I like to call myself a spiritual gardener ✨
So, this is my guide on how to grow beautiful Dahlias from tubers.
This year, i have Dahlias tubers that i have ordered from a reputable seller on Etsy, i am currently waiting for them to be shipped as it is still too cold in Alberta!
So impatient me decided to buy some from Costco, just so that i can practice before my Etsy order arrives. From Etsy i have ordered my favorite, Cafe au lait and Hillcrest suffusion Dahlias. They are so pretty!
As i said before i like to experiment with anything i grow so the inexpensive Costco tubers are perfect. I did find that they were sprouting in the bag so i have planted two, and they are growing like weeds in pots, inside my home.
I just want to add that i always get asked if i use grow lights from my tubers, and i don’t. I pot them in large pots and place them in my Southeast facing window and they thrive until i can plant them outside.
Pictured above is a few days after planting one tuber in soil.
Above: This was about 6 days later.
And you can see above that this tuber is a just growing strong and tall, so fast. I can’t wait to see its flower!
Pictured below is the bag of tubers i bought, it is a mixed bag, so i am not exactly sure which one i will get. I am so excited and will update you all on which one i will get!
What is a dahlia tuber?
Ok, so i probably should have started with this! But a Dahlia tuber is essentially the plant’s underground storage system. You could say it is similar to a potato. It holds all the energy needed to grow a new plant.
Each tuber has:
A body (the thick root)
A neck (which connects it)
An eye (this is where sprouts grow from)
When buying tubers, make sure that they are firm and that you can see visible growth points.
When to plant Dahlia tubers
Timing matters since Dahlias love the warmth.
Plant them:
After the last frost where ever you live
When the soil temperatures reach about 10-15 C (50-60 F
If you are in a colder climate (like me) this usually means late May to early June.
You can even gently wake up your tubers inside in pots like me, 4 weeks before your last frost date and them transplant them outside when it gets warmer.
You can do this buy placing the tuber into a large, deep pot. Put the tuber in the soil around 5 - 6 inches deep, so that the neck is still slightly visible, and then watering it. Place it under grow lights if you don’t have a very sunny window. Water well twice a week.
Don’t plant your tubers out too early in cold soil as this is the fastest way to cause your tubers to rot. Also, if you have voles in your yard, they will eat the tubers! So make sure you are placing protection like wire mesh in the soil before you plant. Alternatively, you can plant in large pots or grow bags.
Disclaimer: when you purchase from Amazon using my links, i do make a commission at no extra cost to you and i thank you for your support ❤️
Choose the right spot
Dahlias love a lot of sun and light. In that way they are a little high maintenance.
They thrive in:
Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
Well drained soil
A space protected from strong winds
The more sun they receive the more abundant the blooms will be.
How to plant dahlia tubers (step by step)
One: Prepare the soil
Loosen the soil and mix in some compost. Dahlias love rich soil that drains well.
Two: Dig your hole
About 5-6 inches deep
Space tubers 12-18 inches apart
Three: Position the tuber
Some like to do this horizontally with the eye facing up, or just placing it in with the neck facing up. I have tried both and they both work.
Four: Cover lightly
Fill the hole with soil - but don’t water yet.
Five: Wait to water
Only begin watering once you see sprouts above the soil. If you are planting straight outside, this will help to prevent root rot.
Watering and feeding your dahlias
Once your Dahlias start growing they will need some love and care.
Water 2 to 3 times a week.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy
Use a low nitrogen fertilizer and feed every 3 to 4 weeks
Too much nitrogen will give you leafy plants with fewer flowers but we want blooms and not just greenery!
Supporting your dahlias
Dahlias grow tall and their blooms can be heavy, support is important so that they don’t fall over.
For best results:
Stake them early before they get too big
Tie stems loosely as they grow
They key is to keep them upright and to protect those blooms.
Pinching for more flowers (don’t skip this step!)
This seems like a silly thing to do but i promise you it will make a big impact.
When your plant is around 12 inches tall, pinch off the top center stem.
It may feel wrong but it will:
Encourage busier growth
Help produce more stems
You will get more flowers
Note: If you just plan to grow in pots, i don’t recommend pinching because the pot may not be able to hold many blooms.
You can also put the pinched Dahlia clipping in some soil and create a whole new plant!
When so dahlias bloom?
If you are in the Dahlia game, patience pays off here.
They typically bloom mid to late summer and continue until the first frost in your area.
Don’t forget, the more you cut the flowers, the more they bloom - so don’t be afraid to cut them and place them in vases in your home!
Also remember to remove dead heads so that energy can be sent to the blooming flowers instead.
Lifting and storing tubers (for colder climates)
Did you know that you can remove your tubers from the ground after the season is done, store them, and then plant them again the next season? I know people who have had the same tubers for years!
Here is what to do:
After the first frost, cut back the plant
Very gently dig up the tubers
Let them dry for a few days
Store them in a cool, dark place like the garage or basement
You can wake them up again the following year and then repeat the process! Happy gardening 🌿
