Garden Care Guide

Dahlia Care

Dahlia x hybrida

A tuberous plant that produces showy flowers in summer and autumn. It likes plenty of sun and rich, well-drained soil. For abundant flowers it needs regular watering during the growing period, fertilizing and removal of faded flowers. The tubers should be lifted and stored over winter.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · -1 °C / 30 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: The tubers are in storage.
  • General care: Check the stored tubers once a month. If there are signs of rot or excessive drying, take action (discard rotten ones, very lightly moisten shriveled ones).
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for fungus and rot in storage conditions.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -1 °C.
February
  • Watering: The tubers are in storage.
  • General care: Keep checking the tubers. At the end of the month, you can start waking the tubers indoors in pots for earlier flowering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -1 °C.
March
  • Watering: Keep the soil of tubers woken up indoors slightly moist.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
  • General care: It is still too early to plant outdoors. Prepare the planting area: loosen the soil and enrich it with organic matter (compost, well-rotted manure).
  • Pests & diseases: Protect young shoots against slugs and snails.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -1 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: When shoots reach 10-15 cm, begin feeding with a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: When the plant reaches about 30 cm in height and 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the main growing tip to encourage a fuller plant.
  • Plant protection: Protect young seedlings against slugs and snails.
  • General care: Once the risk of last frost has passed (early in this month), plant the tubers outdoors. At planting, place support stakes next to the tall varieties.
  • Pests & diseases: Provide good drainage to prevent root rot.
  • Frost risk: At the start of the month there may still be a slight risk; protect seedlings.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Give a low-nitrogen, high-potassium liquid fertilizer (such as tomato fertilizer) every two weeks. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids. Be watchful for powdery mildew.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Wetting the leaves increases the risk of powdery mildew; apply the water to the root zone.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of powdery mildew and spider mites (in hot, dry weather). Earwigs can damage flower petals.
  • General care: The main flowering period begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Powdery mildew is its biggest problem; good airflow is preventive.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be on the alert for spider mites and other sucking insects.
  • General care: It flowers abundantly.
  • Pests & diseases: Heat stress can weaken the plant, so regular watering is important.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: The plant is still blooming profusely. Continue care to extend the season.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: To support abundant flowering, continue feeding every two weeks with a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Powdery mildew can increase in humid autumn weather; keep watching.
  • General care: The month in which the star flower is most productive and showy. Cooling nights and still-warm days produce abundant, high-quality flowers.
  • Pests & diseases: Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: After mid-month, stop fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Flowering slows down, but it is still beneficial to remove the faded flowers.
  • General care: The plant gradually reaches the end of its life. Prepare to lift the tubers.
  • Pests & diseases: As the plant weakens, it becomes more open to disease.
  • Frost risk: Toward the end of the month, the first frost risk may begin.
November
  • Pruning: After the first frosts blacken the plant's stalks and leaves, cut the stem 10-15 cm above the soil.
  • General care: 1-2 weeks after cutting the stalks, on a day with nice weather, carefully dig the tubers out of the soil. Store the tubers over winter in a cool (4-8°C), dark, frost-free place in slightly moist peat or sawdust.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the lifted tubers and discard the diseased or rotten ones.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -1 °C.
December
  • Watering: The tubers are in storage.
  • General care: Check the tubers you have stored from time to time.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for rot in storage conditions.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -1 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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