1.7k gardener saves
Dahlia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 126 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Dahlia varieties
Of 126 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDahlia
Dahlia variabilis
#2 most savedDinnerplate Dahlia
Dahlia x pinnata 'Dinnerplate Cutting Blend'
#3 most savedDahlia
Dahlia variabilis 'Hart'
Babette Giant Ball Dahlia
Dahlia x pinnata 'Babette Giant Ball'
Lady Darlene Dahlia
Dahlia x pinnata 'Lady Darlene'
Mrs. Eileen Dahlia
Dahlia spetabilis 'Mrs Eileen'
Verda Dahlia
Dahlia variabilis 'Verda'
Mystic Haze Dahlia
Dahlia x pinnata 'Mystic Haze'
David Howard Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata 'David Howard'
Dahlia Mix
Dahlia x hybrida 'Mix'
Dahlia
Dahlia variabilis 'My Love'
Jill Dahlia Mix
Dahlia x pinnata 'Jill Dahlia Mix'
Browse all 126 Dahlia varieties →
How to grow Dahlia
What the Dahlia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Dahlia year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant tubers 4-6 inches deep after the danger of frost has passed
- Lift & StoreOctober and November100% of varieties
Dig tubers after first hard frost, dry, and store in a cool, dark place
- Pinch TipsMay and June93% of varieties
Pinch central growing tip when 12 inches tall to encourage branching
- DeadheadJune–September93% of varieties
Remove spent flowers promptly to encourage new blooms
- StakeMay and June88% of varieties
Install sturdy stakes early for support before plants reach 1 ft
- FertilizeJune–August75% of varieties
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly once buds appear
Do
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Stake tall varieties to prevent wind damage
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent tuber rot ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season to prevent weak growth
- Avoid overwatering which can cause tuber rot ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Dahlia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Webbing on foliage | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Slugs | Irregular holes on leaves | Apply iron phosphate bait or handpick |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply sulfur fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
Making more Dahlia
Tuber division
- Dig up tubers after foliage dies back, about late fall.
- Cut into sections, ensuring each has eyes.
- Allow cuts to callus for 24 hours.
- Plant in well-draining soil in early spring.
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings from healthy plants in late spring
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist potting mix and cover with plastic
- Keep in warm, indirect light for 4-6 weeks
Dahlia questions
How many types of Dahlia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 126 distinct Dahlia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Dahlia grow in?
Across its varieties, Dahlia covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Dahlia bloom?
Most Dahlia varieties bloom in mid-summer, mid-summer to fall, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Dahlia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Dahlia
Dahlia shows up in
Related genera
Design with Dahlia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
