One of the most exciting and surprising discoveries

Unlike tubers or cuttings, which produce an exact clone of the plant they come from, dahlias grown from seed offer a treasure trove of new possibilities, each one something that’s never existed before.

The opportunities are endless, and if you find one you love, you get to name it!
Dahlia seedlings are extremely cold sensitive, so don’t plant them outside until the weather has sufficiently warmed. We typically transplant them 3 to 4 weeks after our last spring frost.
Seeds should be started indoors at least 4 to 8 weeks before you want to plant them out. Dahlia seeds germinate sporadically, so be patient—they will come up but it can take up to two weeks. Direct-seeding into the garden isn’t recommended.
Dahlias do best in rich, heavily amended soil. We prepare planting beds with a generous dose of compost and organic fertilizer and then install drip irrigation. Learn more about soil preparation here.

Although they can handle the heat of summer, we recommend providing some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.