Dahlia Guide | When To Plant + Where To Buy In Australia
If the dahlia is at the top of your flower growing wish list, read on!
Dahlias are one of the most beautiful and exciting flowers that can easily be grown at home. I’ve been growing dahlias in my backyard and balcony in Brisbane for almost a decade and have learned a lot!
I’ve put together this dahlia guide below with information on the best time to grow dahlias and where to buy dahlia tubers for anyone wanting to get started!
When to plant dahlias? Summer!
When To Plant Dahlias In Australia
Dahlias are a heat-loving plant, so if you have been wondering when to plant dahlias in Australia, the simple answer is in summer, from December 1 onwards.
However, because many parts of Australia hit summer temperatures well before December, you can safely plant your dahlias earlier than that. For example, in Brisbane, I usually plant my dahlia tubers in September and the flowers arrive around December.
If you’re looking for where to buy some awesome dahlia tubers to plant, I’ve put together a list of 50 Australian dahlia tuber sellers into a list, with a few of my favourite farms below.
My dahlia flower haul from my Brisbane backyard over the last few years (above)
Where To Buy Dahlia Tubers In Australia | 2024 Edition
#1 Southern Highlands Flower Farm (NSW): offers a large amount of dahlia tubers as Farmer Jen plants over 700 different varieties on her property!
#2 Serenade Flower Farm (QLD): offers tubers grown by Bec McConnell at her amazing Tamborine Mountain flower farm. Tubers usually go on sale in August.
#3 Wild Violet Farm (VIC): offers really stunning dahlias grown by Sam Webb in Victoria including the enormous Carlos Watermelon variety. Sam is very fair and only allows two tubers max per for popular varieties.
#4 The Grove Country Gardens (QLD): is an under the radar Queensland gem with a solid tuber variety. They also offer dahlia plants including Cafe Au Lait varieties for sale.
Some of my favourite dahlia varieties including the cream Astrid Coorabell on the left and pink African Peach on the right
Dahlias are grown from tubers like these, not from seed like most flowers
Cool Dahlia Tuber Varieties To Try In 2024
Carlos Watermelon grown by Floral By Nature, Downham Royal grown by Jessie May Blooms, Cafe Au Lait grown by Salisbury Grange (AKA me) and Little Peaches grown by Rose & Abraham.
There are so many amazing varieties of dahlias to try planting, but here are a few varieties that I have had success with and that make great cut flowers:
#1 Carlos Watermelon: is a huge dinner plate variety in a bright watermelon colour. Available here.
#2 Downham Royal: is a medium pompon variety in a gorgeous deep purple colour. Available here.
#3 Cafe Au Lait: is a variety that produces layers of delicate latte-coloured petals with flecks of violet throughout. Available here.
#4 Little Peaches: is a fun and easy to grow orangey-pink dahlia variety that makes great bunches. Available here.
Plant dahlia tubers about 30cm apart in both garden beds and planter boxes like this one
Dahlia Planting Steps
#1 You plant dahlia tubers on their side (not vertically) and cover with dirt. I plant them 30cm apart in a garden bed or plant 1 tuber per pot if that’s what you are using.
#2 As dahlias can get quite large (some of mine have gone over head height) I’ve found that growing between 5-10 in a backyard is plenty.
#3 Dahlias take about 3-4 months to grow flowers. Along the way they will need support to keep them upright (from stakes or similar) as the beautiful flowers can get really heavy and start to fall over.
If in doubt, check out my 1 minute Youtube video 5 Steps To Growing Dahlias In Brisbane!
Looking for more information? Check out my take on Dahlia Tubers: Splitting And Storing Guide and 6 Flower Farms To Buy Dahlias From In Australia.