🌺 Dahlia: Growing Guide
Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 10–30 °C (50–86 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.5–7.0. Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart. Expect 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Dahlia pinnata |
|---|---|
| Category | Bulbs |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 60 cm (24 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.5–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 10–30 °C (50–86 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Height | 30–150 cm (12–59 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Mar, Sep · Harvest: Apr–Jun, Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Mar, Sep · Harvest: Apr–May, Oct.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering during flowering.
Growing tips
Grown from tubers. Lift them for winter in cold climates. Thousands of varieties.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Dahlia: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Dahlia: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering during flowering.
Dahlia: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 60 cm (24 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 10 cm (3.9 in).
Dahlia: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Dahlia: which plants grow well with it?
Sunflower, Zinnia.
Dahlia: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Aphids.
Plan your garden
Add Dahlia to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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