Dahlia Tuber Planting

Dahlia Tuber Planting

All of your dahlia tuber questions answered in one place! Find planting instructions, staking advice, watering tips, and more.
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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for your Dahlias

Over the winter, we lovingly store dahlia tubers in our cold storage room, monitoring them for correct temperature and humidity levels. Come early spring, we begin pulling tubers from storage, dividing clumps of tubers, and inspecting each one to ensure it is viable and ready to grow when you receive it.

When you receive your tubers, we recommend you check them and plant them as soon as possible. I like planting my tubers in small pots inside to start them out while they begin to sprout. I recommend using a porous potting soil mixed with compost (I like “Sea Soil” brand). I plant mine with the top of the tuber (and “eyes”) sticking out slightly from the soil so I can monitor the shoot progress better. Be careful when planting your tubers. The “eyes”(growth tips) are fragile and they may not grow if damaged.

Make sure they get good light and some moisture.  However, be careful that you don’t over water the tubers before the plant develops as they can rot before growing. I water when I plant it, then once a week usually, or if it looks really dry. I also like to ‘mist’ the top of the tuber and eyes every day or two until the eyes are sprouting so the eyes don’t dry out too much.

Plant your dahlia outside when frost warnings have passed, around the same time you would plant tomatoes. When planting my dahlia plants outside, I bury the tuber deeper and bury some of the new shoots underground as well, approximately an inch or two. But not so deep as to cover any leaves that may rot.
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How to plant your dahlia tubers

Some people plant tubers directly outside, weather permitting, lying the tuber on its side in a hole already amended with compost or bone meal
When your dahlia is ready to be planted outside. Choose a site with good drainage and partial-to-full sun (at least 6 hours). You can grow dahlias in pots, however I have found that they get too hot in the black pots that I have, and can sometimes dry out too quickly, thereby not allowing the plant to bloom to it’s full potential. My ground dahlias always seem to grow much better for me.
Most dahlias need to be staked, and you may wish to insert a sturdy stake or two before you plant your dahlia tuber. Be careful to avoid the tuber root system if you insert a stake into the ground after the plant is growing. I have also found tomato cages work well. Later you can tie stalks to the stake with twine.

If you are planting a number of dahlias, it is recommended to space them around 2’ apart..

Do not over water young dahlia plants in order to avoid rot.  As the plants get larger, a good rule of thumb is to water them if the rainfall is less then one inch a week.  In the heat of the summer, or during dry spells I water large plants every two days if possible. 

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