Frequently Asked Questions About Dahlias

Yes, absolutely – even if you're a complete beginner! With our easy-to-follow planting instructions, strong, healthy dahlia tubers and a sunny spot in your garden, you'll be enjoying beautiful flowers before you know it.

Planting dahlias is easier than you might think. Simply plant the tubers a few centimetres below the soil surface, where they can benefit from the warmth of the sun and start growing.

You can plant dahlia tubers directly in your garden from April or May, once the risk of overnight frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. For the best results, aim to plant your dahlias by mid-June at the latest, so they have plenty of time to grow and produce beautiful flowers.

Yes, absolutely! You can start your dahlia tubers indoors from March or April, either in your home, conservatory or greenhouse. Simply plant them in pots and keep them in a bright, frost-free spot. This gives your dahlias a head start, allowing them to develop strong shoots before the outdoor growing season begins.Once the risk of overnight frost has passed, you can carefully remove the young dahlia plants from their pots and plant them directly in your garden. Alternatively, you can transfer them into larger pots or containers and enjoy their beautiful flowers on your patio or terrace.Our tip: Starting dahlias early is a great way to enjoy their gorgeous blooms sooner in the summer! 

For a full, colourful flower border, we recommend planting 5 to 7 dahlias per square metre.

Smaller, compact dahlia varieties can be planted a little closer together, while taller varieties that grow into large, bushy plants need more space. This allows each plant to receive plenty of sunlight and ensures good air circulation between the plants, helping them grow strong and healthy.

Our tip: Give taller dahlias a little extra room to grow, so they can develop into beautiful, bushy plants with plenty of flowers!

Yes, absolutely! Growing dahlias in pots and containers is a wonderful way to enjoy these beautiful flowers on your patio, terrace or balcony.

Choose a large pot with good drainage, at least 35 cm in diameter for one dahlia tuber, and fill it with loose, well-draining compost. Water regularly, especially during warm, dry weather.

Compact, low-growing dahlia varieties are particularly suitable for pots and containers. Taller varieties can also be grown in pots, but they need a little more care, as they require more frequent watering and may need support to keep their stems upright.

Our tip: Use the height filters on our website to discover our beautiful selection of compact dahlias, perfect for growing in pots!

Dahlias need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow strong and produce plenty of beautiful flowers. The sunnier the spot, the more spectacular the blooms!

For the best results, choose a sunny position in your garden where your dahlias can enjoy plenty of light throughout the growing season.

Dahlias flower from July right through to the first autumn frost, filling your garden with beautiful blooms for months!

The more flowers you cut for your vases or remove once they've faded (deadheading), the more new flower buds your dahlias will produce.

So don't be afraid to cut plenty of flowers for gorgeous bouquets! Your dahlia plants will reward you with even more blooms to enjoy.

Our tip: Pick your dahlias regularly to encourage continuous flowering throughout summer and autumn.

One dahlia tuber can grow into a beautiful, bushy plant that produces dozens of gorgeous flowers throughout the summer!

Keep cutting flowers regularly for fresh bouquets and remove any faded blooms (deadheading). This encourages your dahlia plant to keep producing new buds and even more flowers.

With a little care, you'll enjoy a continuous display of colourful dahlias from summer right through to the first autumn frost. Endless flower happiness from just one dahlia tuber!

Absolutely! Dahlias are one of the best flowers for a cut flower garden. They bloom for months and keep producing new flowers as long as you continue cutting them. The more you pick, the more new buds your plants will produce, giving you a beautiful supply of fresh flowers for your home throughout summer and autumn.

Many of our dahlia varieties have been specially selected for use as cut flowers. They produce an abundance of blooms, have long, sturdy stems and offer an excellent vase life.

And the best part? You don't need a large garden to start your own cut flower garden! With just one square metre, you can grow 5 to 7 dahlia plants and enjoy plenty of beautiful flowers for your own bouquets.

At FAM Flower Farm, we also supply professional flower growers, so we know exactly which dahlia varieties perform best for cutting.

Our tip: Use the 'Cut Flower' filter on our website to discover our favourite dahlia varieties for growing and picking your own gorgeous bouquets!

Fortunately, this rarely happens! But if your dahlia tuber isn't sprouting, it's usually due to soil that's too wet or damage caused by slugs and snails. Keep an eye out for these problems from the start, especially when the first young shoots appear.

You should normally see the first green shoots within 2 to 4 weeks after planting, provided the soil is warm enough. Some dahlia varieties sprout faster than others, so a difference of 1 to 2 weeks is perfectly normal.

No sign of growth after 4 weeks? Don't worry! Send us a photo and we'll be happy to help you find out what's going on. That's all part of our Flowering Guarantee!

Please contact us as soon as possible, preferably before mid-June, so we can arrange a replacement dahlia tuber if necessary.

We want you to enjoy a garden full of beautiful dahlias!

Dahlias are not fully hardy, so it's best to lift and store your dahlia tubers over winter to protect them from frost.

The ideal time to lift dahlia tubers is after the first autumn frost, when the foliage has been damaged by the cold. By this stage, the tubers have built up energy reserves to help them survive winter and grow again the following spring.

Do you have heavy clay soil? If so, it's better to lift your dahlias a little earlier, before the soil becomes too wet in autumn. Clay soil retains moisture, which increases the risk of tubers rotting.

Carefully dig up your dahlia tubers, gently remove excess soil and allow the surface to dry. Then store them in a cool, frost-free place with good ventilation, making sure they don't dry out completely.

In spring, simply plant your tubers again and enjoy another summer filled with your favourite dahlias!

Our tip: Check your stored dahlia tubers occasionally throughout winter to make sure they remain healthy and free from rot.

Both dahlia tubers and dahlia seeds can produce beautiful flowers, but there are some important differences.

Dahlia tubers flower in their first growing season and produce blooms with the same shape and colour as the original variety. They're the perfect choice if you want plenty of beautiful flowers and know exactly what to expect.

Growing dahlias from seed takes a little more time, and the results can be a wonderful surprise! Seed-grown dahlias often produce smaller, more open flowers, although their shapes, sizes and colours can vary greatly. Each plant can be completely unique.

Our tip: Want lots of gorgeous flowers with consistent shapes and colours in your first summer? Choose dahlia tubers for reliable results!

Dahlias grow well in almost any type of soil, as long as it's fertile, rich in nutrients and well-drained. They prefer soil that stays slightly moist but never waterlogged, as too much moisture can cause the tubers to rot.

Our tip: If your soil is heavy, poor or too wet, improve it by adding well-rotted compost or organic matter. This helps improve soil structure, drainage and nutrient levels, giving your dahlia tubers the best possible growing conditions.

Ideally, prepare your soil during winter or a few weeks before planting. This allows organic matter to settle into the soil and ensures that any well-rotted manure is properly incorporated before your dahlias start growing.

Avoid using fresh manure directly around your dahlia tubers, as it can damage young roots.

Yes! At FAM Flower Farm, all our dahlias are sustainably grown. We are proud to be the only specialist dahlia nursery in the world with the independent On the way to PlanetProof certification.

This means we grow our dahlias with great care for the environment, making responsible choices when it comes to water management, soil health and biodiversity. Our aim is to reduce our environmental impact while growing strong, healthy dahlia tubers.

So when you buy dahlia tubers from FAM Flower Farm, you're making a conscious, more sustainable choice for your garden and the planet.

Absolutely! Some dahlia varieties have been grown and loved for decades, proving themselves to be strong, reliable and easy to care for.

At FAM Flower Farm, we've made it easy to find the best dahlias for beginners. Simply look for the 'Easy to Grow' label on our website to discover varieties that are particularly suitable for new gardeners.

These easy-growing dahlias are a perfect choice if you're just starting out with planting dahlia tubers. With a little sunshine and care, you'll soon be enjoying a garden full of beautiful flowers!

Yes, absolutely! At FAM Flower Farm, quality is our top priority. We take great care in selecting and growing our dahlia tubers so you can enjoy beautiful flowers in your garden.

And if something doesn't go as expected, don't worry! Just get in touch and we'll be happy to help you find a solution. That's our Flowering Guarantee!

You might find the answer on our blog or in our Customer Service FAQs.

Still need help? Feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We're always happy to help!

You can reach us at: info@famflowerfarm.com

Happy gardening!

Marlies & Linda