Dahlias belong to the Aster family and are available in around 40 species of flowers. They come in different colors, including red, yellow, purple, and white. These ornamental flowers are perfect for gardens and floral arrangements and can also be grown indoors. To grow Dahlias indoors, full sunlight and the right soil are essential. These flowers require regular watering and fertilizing to promote healthy growth. You can water your potted Dahlias when the soil becomes dry, and make sure to water at the base of the plant. Use a well-drained potting mixture for Dahlias, and the best time to plant the tubers is about 12 weeks before spring. Use a container with a capacity of at least 3 gallons and a pot that is 15” wide and 12” deep for full-size Dahlias. Light-colored pots are preferred over darker ones to allow sunlight inside. Before planting tubers, soak them in lukewarm water for an hour. Plant them in moist garden soil with the pointed end up and house the pot in a location with indirect light until sprouts appear. Move the flowers to a spot with 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Whether you want to follow their natural cycle or grow them year-round, Dahlias can provide visual pleasure with the right care.
Did you know that Dahlias were once considered a vegetable? The Swedish botanist Anders Dahl gave them their name and classified them as such due to their edible tubers that taste like a mix of radish and baby potato. If you’re planning on planting Dahlias, make sure to use a well-drained potting mixture or garden soil that is mildly fertilized. Once you’ve put the tubers in the soil, avoid covering them if they don’t have an eye on top, but ensure that they’re not touching each other to prevent rotting from moisture. Remember to lightly spray them daily until they reach 2 inches tall. Also, keep in mind that Dahlias symbolize eternal commitment and everlasting love, making them a popular choice for bridal bouquets even today.
If you’re interested in growing dahlias, they can be successfully grown in containers with a few key considerations. First, make sure the container has good drainage and is between 8-10 inches for indoor gardens or 12 inches for longer tubers. Clean any used containers thoroughly to avoid exposing your plants to lingering diseases or insects. When planting, avoid placing the tuber at the very bottom of the pot to prevent rotting; instead, begin with soil, place the tuber inside, then cover it lightly and add more soil as it grows. Use a soil blend of pet, fine bark, and vermiculite for better airflow and drainage, and avoid clay-laden soil. You can use a coffee filter at the bottom of the container to prevent soil from escaping or insects from entering. Watering should be done after the soil becomes nearly dry during root formation, and a pH of 6.5-7 is ideal. Dahlias can be finicky about temperature, so be aware of sudden drops that can trigger an early shutdown. Growing lights can be used, but natural light is better. Move your containers wherever the plants need them and enjoy your beautiful dahlias!
Are you curious about the different types of Dahlias? Let’s explore them together! Anemone Dahlias are decorative and have a unique texture. Their center resembles a pincushion surrounded by flat petals in a neat circle. These flowers are playful and about 3-5” wide. Ball Dahlias, on the other hand, are larger than pompom Dahlias and have circular petals that form a spiral pattern, giving the flower a slightly flattened top. The giant species produces blossoms as wide as 5” or more, making it a showstopper. Cactus Dahlias have double blossoms with dramatic, narrow, pointy petals that curve outward. These can grow from medium to giant, reaching up to 8” in diameter. Decorative Dahlias are perfect for indoor gardens as all varieties have double flowers. Pompom Dahlias look like pom poms with spherical blooms and inward-curving petals. These Dahlias are generally smaller, with flowers of about 2” in diameter. Single Dahlias have one neat ring of petals around the center disk, while waterlily Dahlias resemble shallow, broad, and double saucers. They’re lanky plants that can grow up to 6 feet tall. Did you know that there are no blue Dahlias? Although breeders have tried to create them since a London Newspaper offered a reward, near-blue flowers exist, but nothing true blue. Similarly, black Dahlias are actually dark purple. Finally, when caring for your Dahlia during winter, make sure to protect them from frost and freeze by mulching or covering them with blankets.
If you have outdoor-grown dahlias, you can bring them inside during winter by cutting them back to soil level and storing them in a dark, dry, and cool place that doesn’t freeze. When growing dahlias indoors, you have some options to choose from. You can wait until the flowers are gone, then cut the stalk and wait for new sprouts to appear. Alternatively, you can “winter” one plant and ready another pot for reawakening, allowing your tubers to gain growing energy and enjoy flowers in your house all year round. It’s important to check your plants regularly for signs of mold or other issues.
Dahlias were favored by Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria and were often used to adorn the court. To keep your dahlias happy, provide support by staking them, pinch them to encourage more stems, and use a low-nitrogen fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium every 2-3 weeks.
Dahlias are celebrated around the world with hundreds of festivals and events. However, common problems with dahlias include lack of sunlight, cold temperatures, undernourished soil, wilt disease, overwatering or underwatering, pests such as thrips or leafhoppers, powdery mildew, and nutrient deficiencies. Yellowing leaves can be caused by excessive watering or nutrient deficiencies, while splotchy leaves indicate insect infestation. Each color of dahlia has its own symbolic meaning, with red representing passion and romance, pink for appreciation and admiration, yellow for joy and friendship, white for spiritual awareness, and purple for dignity.
Interestingly, dahlias are also edible!
In the past, dahlias were cultivated as a source of food and had a unique taste that is similar to a mix between potatoes, carrots, and celery. They have a mild sweetness and starchy texture that can be used in various recipes such as dahlia quesadilla packets, dahlia kimchi, dahlia ice cream, tuber bread, tea, and salads.
If you are interested in creating an impressive indoor garden, dahlias are a perfect choice. With their wide range of colors and varieties, you can enjoy growing them all year long without getting bored. To start, select pots that match your style and ensure there is proper drainage. Then, add potting soil and carefully care for your tubers to produce a beautiful display of dahlias.
Growing dahlias is a time-honored tradition that was enjoyed by both ordinary folks and nobles back in the day. By growing these plants, you can become part of this rich heritage.