The dahlia is a showstopper of the late-summer garden, with an incredible range of forms — from tiny pompons to dinner-plate blooms as big as a face — in nearly every color but true blue. Native to Mexico, it’s a favourite of cut-flower growers.
Dahlia at a glance
- Botanical name: Dahlia
- Family: Asteraceae
- Bloom season: midsummer to first frost
- Symbolism: elegance, dignity, and commitment
About the dahlia
Dahlias grow from tubers and bloom prolifically from midsummer until the first frost. There are thousands of named varieties across a dozen flower forms. Native to the highlands of Mexico, where the Aztecs first cultivated them, dahlias are the national flower of that country.
Dahlia meaning and symbolism
The dahlia symbolizes elegance, dignity, and commitment. It is the national flower of Mexico, where it has been grown since Aztec times.
Types of dahlia
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Dinnerplate — enormous blooms up to 10 inches across
- Cactus — spiky, quilled petals
- Pompon & ball — small, perfectly round flowers
- Decorative — full, layered double blooms
- Single & collarette — open, pollinator-friendly forms
How to grow and care for dahlia
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Plant tubers after the last frost in full sun
- Give rich, well-drained soil and stake taller varieties
- Water deeply once growth is established
- Deadhead often to keep blooms coming
- In cold climates, lift and store the tubers over winter
Dahlia FAQs
Do you have to dig up dahlias in winter?
In cold climates, yes. Dahlia tubers aren’t frost-hardy, so lift and store them somewhere cool and dry over winter. In mild, frost-free areas they can stay in the ground.
When do dahlias bloom?
Dahlias bloom from midsummer until the first frost, often providing months of continuous color if you deadhead them regularly.
How big do dahlias get?
It varies enormously: petite border dahlias stay under two feet with small flowers, while dinnerplate varieties can reach five feet tall with blooms up to ten inches across.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.