Dahlia tubers don’t stay young forever—eventually, they get a bit tired and stop putting on that spectacular show we love. To keep your favorite varieties blooming year after year, you can easily propagate them right at home. It’s the best way to ensure your garden stays full of these stunning “Queen of Autumn” flowers for a long time to come.
Different Ways to Propagate Your Dahlias
There are a few different ways to get more dahlias for your garden. The most popular methods are:
- Propagation by cuttings
- Propagation by division
- Propagation from seed
Propagation by Cuttings
If you want to go big, taking cuttings is the way to go. You can actually grow up to 20 new plants from just one single tuber! This is why professional growers love this method. To get a head start, you’ll want to begin this process in late winter.
- First, head to your winter storage and pick out healthy tubers that have visible “eyes.” Trim the old stem down to just an inch or two. Place the tubers in a box filled with sand or a pot, and cover them with a light layer of soil. Keep them watered and store them somewhere cozy, ideally around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After a few days, you’ll see new shoots popping up. Once these shoots have developed a few pairs of leaves, they’re ready to become cuttings.
- To take a cutting, snip the shoot just above the lowest node. You’ll also want to trim off the bottom internode piece and the very lowest leaves to prep it for planting.
- Place your new cuttings into trays or boxes filled with a good seed-starting mix. Cover them with a clear plastic dome or film to keep the humidity in, and set them on a bright, warm windowsill. Just be sure to check on them regularly for any signs of rot.
- You’ll know your cuttings have successfully grown their own roots once you see new leaves starting to sprout. At this point, you can move the babies into their own individual pots and keep them in a frost-free spot.
- Starting in March, you can begin “hardening off” the plants by giving them some supervised time outdoors. Once the threat of frost has totally passed (usually after Mother’s Day in many areas), your new dahlias are ready to be planted in the garden!
Propagation by Division
Propagating by division is super straightforward. You simply take a tuber clump and divide it—either by snapping or cutting—ensuring each piece has at least one or two “eyes.” Then, just pop them into their planting holes. Dividing your tubers every two to three years is a great habit to get into; it keeps the plants vigorous and gives you a steady supply of new blooms.
Propagation from Seed
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also grow dahlias from seeds. Whether you buy a packet of your favorite mix or harvest seeds from your own spent blooms, it’s a fun way to see what unique colors might pop up in your garden!
