How To Grow Dahlias In Pots: Secrets To Success

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Dahlias are a vibrant and beautiful addition to any garden. Many homeowners grow dahlias in the ground. But many want to know how to grow Dahlias in pots.

Dahlias are hearty flowers that thrive in warm climates and bloom 4 to 5 months out of the year. Growing dahlia plants in pots allow you to bring them inside during colder months and protect them from frost.

Growing Potted DahliasPin

Things To Consider For Growing Potted Dahlias

Here are the different aspects to take into account when growing dahlias in pots. 

Choosing The Right Pot

When choosing the right pot for your dahlia, remember a few things.

First, you want to choose a pot that has good drainage and can hold plenty of soil. This will allow the roots to grow downward without getting waterlogged and rotting.



You should size your pots depending on how large you want your plants to grow (including the root system)—the wider the pot, the larger the plant will be when it’s fully grown!

Pick a pot at least 12″ inches deep — deeper is better. The tuber will spread out over time, so ensure you have enough space.

Fill the pot with a well-draining potting soil mixture (like Miracle Grow).

Avoid heavy clay soils or compost because they hold too much moisture.

Getting The Soil Right

When starting dahlias in pots, you want to ensure the soil has good drainage.

You can accomplish this with a potting mix containing peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.

It’s also good to add a little sand and a handful of a bone meal if possible.

Good brands include Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix and Ball’s Growing Mix #2.

Keep Dahlias In Sunlight

The second thing to know about growing dahlias is that they need a lot of sunlight.

They should be planted in a spot with full sun for at least 6 hours per day, and if you don’t have that kind of space available, then it’s best to grow your dahlias in pots.

This will allow you to move them around and give your plants plenty of energy to produce beautiful blooms all season long!

Related: Dahlia Not Blooming – WHY?

Controlling Watering

Control watering is one of the most important things you can do when growing dahlias in pots.

Overwatering can cause your dahlia’s roots to rot and wilt, while underwatering will result in the plant drying out faster than it should. 

If you want to avoid either situation, follow these tips:

  • Water until excess water runs out of the bottom of the pot, and then give it some time to dry before watering again (this helps prevent root rot).
  • If you use a drip irrigation system, ensure that your plants never sit in water or wet soil for long periods.

Controlling The Temperature

You might be wondering how to keep the temperature under control. In winter, dahlias can withstand freezing temperatures but are not frost-tolerant.

However, they will tolerate light frosts that cover no more than 10% percent of the foliage at a time; any more than that, and you may see damage to your plants.

They need to be kept cool in the summer (not too hot) and warm in the wintertime.

This is especially important if you live in an area where heat waves and cold snaps are common during different times of the year.

If possible, try to find an environment similar to what this plant would experience outdoors- with plenty of sun exposure and shade from trees or buildings nearby!

If you have a sunny spot that gets a good six hours of sunlight, that would be perfect.

Support Growing Plants

The secret to growing dahlias in pots is to stake the plant early on.

The stake should be placed about one foot from the base of the plant, so it does not interfere with flower production later in the season.

Deadheading And Pruning

Deadheading dahlia potted plants keep them looking full and healthy throughout the season.

Once blooms begin to fade, use sharp pruners or scissors to cut off the spent flower heads at their base just above where they attach to the stem.

Related: Learn More About How To Deadhead Dahlias For More Flowers

You should also remove any dead leaves or damaged foliage and any stems that have died or are rotting away at their base.

Be careful to take the cone-shaped spent head and not the rounded bud, which is where your new flowers will emerge from.

Pruning dahlia potted plants helps promote new growth closer to the soil line, where it’s easiest for water and nutrients to reach each part of your plant.

FAQs

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Plant Dahlias?

Dahlias should not be planted during spring or summer when temperatures are hot.

However, they can be planted in the fall once temperatures have cooled down.

Dahlia tubers can also be stored in a cool but frost-free place until you’re ready to plant them again.

How Do I Tell If I’m Overwatering?

Dahlias require lots of water, so it’s easy to overdo it when watering them.

The leaves will wilt if there’s too much moisture and become mushy if there’s too little moisture in the soil.

If your dahlia plant wilts even after you’ve watered it thoroughly, remove all foliage below that point and cut back on watering until new growth appears.

How Tall Do Dahlias Grow?

The average height of dahlias is between 3′ and 5′ feet, with some varieties reaching heights of six feet or more.

These tall plants can be grown in containers or on the ground.

In either case, they need plenty of space and should not be planted too close together because they will spread out quite rapidly once they bloom.

Do Dahlias Like Acidic Soil?

Dahlias aren’t too picky about soil but prefer slightly acidic soil (pH between 6.0 to 6.5).

Dahlias are beautiful and versatile flowers, but they can be tricky to grow for beginners.

Luckily, we have all the tips you need! As long as you follow the advice on planting Dahlia tubers and the type of soil they need, you’ll know how to grow dahlias in pots and enjoy their beautiful blooms.

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