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Planting Dahlias in Pots

By stacy ling

Gardening Tips & Tricks

Short on growing space but want to grow dahlias? Learn how to grow dahlias in pots with these simple tips. 

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Choose a clean container with a diameter of at least 12 to 16 inches and a depth of at least 12  to 18 inches. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow excess  water to escape and prevent waterlogging.

Use a well-draining potting mix. Feel free to add perlite, vermiculite, or sand to the potting mix to improve drainage.

Plant one dahlia tuber per container, positioning it horizontally with  the “eye” or bud facing up then cover the tuber with about 2 inches of  potting mix.

Maintain your containers in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct  sunlight per day. Rotate them periodically to ensure even sunlight  exposure on all sides of the plant.

Remember that containers dry out faster than plants in the ground, so  it’s important to water potted dahlias regularly. Check the soil  moisture level with your finger or a moisture meter. Avoid overwatering and allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between watering.

Fertilize dahlias with a balanced slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer formulated for flowering plants and follow the package instructions for application rates and frequency.

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Stake or cage dahlias to support taller, heavier blooms no later than when the plant is a foot tall. Be careful not to damage the tuber when adding the stakes.

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Follow along to learn more growing dahlias in pots.

Gardening Tips & Tricks

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