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All you need to know about Dahlias

Dahlia

Common Name: Dahlia

Latin Name: Dahlia, acoctili

Family: Asteraceae

Plant Time: Spring, Summer

Mature Size: 30-60 in. tall 4 - 10 wide

Sun Preference: High - min. 6 hours of sunlight/ day

Soil Preference: loose, well drained

Bloom Time: midsummer - fall

Flower Color: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender, purple, bronze

Native Area: Mexico, South America

Toxicity: flower: edible, but toxic if consumed in excess; leaves: can cause skin irritation

Growth Rate: 12 to 16 weeks to bloom from planting

Wildlife Value: -

Table of Contents

About the Dahlia plant

Many people love these beautiful, glowing flowers. Dahlias were first documented in the 15th century by the Spanish, and are native to Mexico and South America. Today we know about 42 species with 15 officially recognized flower colors.

Care

Dahlias are not very hard to care for, but you need to pay attention to things like how much light they are getting (because they like LOTS of sunlight) and how well-drained their soil is. They prefer moist, loose, and fertile soil, but you should never let them soak in water for a long time.

If the winter is tough where you live, you should not leave Dahlias outside. What you should do is cut the stem back to about 4,5 inches, place the tubers upside down in a tray, and store them in a dry place. When the time comes in Spring, you can pot them again.

Propagation in pots

While dahlias are commonly planted in outdoor flowering beds, it is possible to grow these stunning flowers in pots or any other suitable container, from tubers or from seeds. Check out our step-by-step propagation guide for potted dahlias!

Common pests

  • Slugs
  • Spider Mites
  • Aphids
  • Cyclamen Mites
  • Earwigs
  • Caterpillars
  • Leafhoppers
  • Obscure Mealybugs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dahlias toxic to cats?

Dahlias are unfortunately considerably toxic to cats.

Are Dahlias toxic to dogs?

Dahlias can cause dogs to experience gastrointestinal signs and dermatitis. They are toxic to dogs.

How often to water Dahlias?

You should water Dahlias once or twice per week, but also make sure the soil is well-drained.