Dahlias are at their best in late summer, bringing colour to pots and gardens when many other plants are beginning to fade. With a little regular care, you can encourage your dahlias to keep producing flowers well into autumn.
If you’re growing them in containers, here are a few simple ways to keep your dahlias flowering for as long as possible.
Deadhead Regularly
One of the easiest ways to encourage more flowers is to remove blooms as soon as they begin to fade. This stops the plant putting energy into producing seed and encourages it to concentrate on new buds instead.
Cut the spent flower stem back to the next pair of leaves rather than simply removing the flower head. A sharp pair of Japanese Garden Snips makes this quick and easy.
Keep Them Well Watered
Dahlias growing in pots can dry out more quickly than those planted in the ground, particularly during warm weather.
Check the compost regularly and water thoroughly when needed. Aim to keep the soil moist without allowing it to become waterlogged, and always make sure your pot has good drainage.
Feed for More Flowers
Dahlias are hungry plants and benefit from regular feeding while they’re actively growing and flowering.
Once buds begin to appear, use a feed that encourages flower production rather than lots of leafy growth, following the instructions on your chosen product.
Give Them Plenty of Sun
For the best flowering, position your dahlias somewhere that receives plenty of sunshine. A sunny, sheltered position will encourage strong growth and help the plant continue producing buds.
If your dahlia has outgrown its current container, a generous terracotta pot will also give the roots plenty of room. Our Donatello Italian Terracotta Planters are available in a range of sizes and work particularly well for container-grown dahlias.
Keep Cutting the Flowers
Don’t be afraid to cut dahlias to enjoy indoors. Regular picking can encourage the plant to continue producing flowers.
Choose blooms that are almost fully open and cut them with clean, sharp snips, ideally earlier in the day when the stems are well hydrated.
Support Taller Dahlias
Larger dahlia varieties can become top-heavy as they fill with flowers, particularly when grown in pots.
Adding a plant support can help keep taller stems upright and reduce the chance of them breaking under the weight of their flowers.
Keep the Colour Going Into Autumn
Continue deadheading, watering and feeding while your dahlias are actively flowering. As temperatures begin to fall, growth will naturally start to slow, but a healthy plant can continue providing colour until the first frosts arrive.
If you’re just getting started with dahlias, take a look at our guide to How to Grow Dahlias in Pots for advice on planting, pot size and ongoing care.
