September 16, 2025, 8:32 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Dahlias are extremely popular due to their variety. They come in different colors and shapes, and some types even have edible flowers. You don’t have to buy your favorite plant expensively from a specialty store; you can also propagate dahlias yourself.
A bed full of dahlias (Dahlia) is a feast for the eyes. However, if you had to buy each plant, it would quickly become expensive. The good news is that you can propagate dahlias. Whether through seeds, cuttings, or dividing the tubers–propagating dahlias is not rocket science. myHOMEBOOK reveals how to proceed.
Overview
3 Methods to Propagate Dahlias
Dahlias can be propagated in several ways. You can divide the tubers, use cuttings, or grow plants from seeds:
Propagate Dahlias by Division
Most dahlias can be propagated by division. However, it’s better to use older plants, as they usually have multiple individual tubers to separate, rejuvenating the dahlia. It’s especially advantageous to pre-sprout the tubers, as you can see which sections are still healthy and worth replanting. The ideal time to divide dahlias is in the spring, just before they are replanted:
- First, you need to break off the individual tubers, but you can also use a sharp, clean knife.
- Next, you can treat the broken areas with charcoal powder. Gardeners debate whether this is really necessary, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
- Divided dahlias should be planted promptly, as they will dry out otherwise.
Propagate Dahlias by Cuttings
Another way to propagate dahlias is by using cuttings. This method produces the most new plants. The best time to propagate dahlias by cuttings begins in late winter, in February and March:
- First, you need to awaken the dahlias from their winter dormancy and pre-sprout them in late winter.
- Once the shoots are about three to four centimeters long, you can carefully cut them off.
- Planted in individual pots, they can now form roots.
- After the Ice Saints, you can plant the small plants outside.
Propagate Dahlias by Seeds
In addition to propagating by tuber division and cuttings, you can grow dahlias using seeds. This method requires some patience and skill. There are two ways to obtain seeds: either buy them or collect them from faded dahlias in your own garden. The best time to plant dahlia seeds is in the spring:
- The seeds must first be placed about half a centimeter deep in the seed soil. It is recommended to use a separate container for each seed to avoid pricking out later.
- The container should be covered with some foil. This way, you’ve created a mini greenhouse. Once a day, you should remove the foil and ventilate to prevent mold.
- When the small plants reach a height of about five centimeters, it’s time to move them to a larger pot.
- After the Ice Saints, in mid-May, the small dahlias can be planted outdoors. Since they are very sensitive to frost, you should be absolutely sure that no more frosts are expected.
Tip: If you want the future dahlia to grow bushier, you should pinch it. When the small plant is about five centimeters tall, cut off the main shoot with a sharp knife. Two new shoots will now form at this point.