Home > Projects >

How to lift Dahlias

You will need: Fork, Secateurs, Box, Compost

Dahlias are wonderful value, producing flowers throughout the summer and giving height to the border. There are many sizes, flower forms and a huge range of colours to choose from. In milder areas, they can be left in the border all year, but in colder areas, or as a precaution to make sure you keep a variety you particularly like, they can be lifted and stored.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

In autumn, as the foliage begins to turn yellow and die down, lift the plant carefully, making sure you do not damage the root tubers.

Step 2

Cut the top growth down to about 15cm using clean, sharp secateurs.

Step 3

Turn the plant upside down and allow any remaining sap to drain from the cut stems. Leaving it in can result in rotting during storage.

Step 4

Lay the dry tuber in a box and pack compost around it. You can pack several tubers together, but make sure you label them so you know which is which. Store the box in a dark, frost-free place over the winter ready to plant out again next April/May.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

What is a Nematode?

Joy of Spring at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show!

10 Downing Street Garden Opens for One Unique Weekend

Jacksons Fencing introduces Jaksun™ Solar Fence Panel

Gardening Projects for April

---

How to take Dahlia cuttings

How to prick off

How to: New orchids from old

How to prune for coloured stems

Latest Gardening Videos

---

How to Grow Orchids

Potting On Small Roses

Lawn Drainage

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Pruning an Overgrown Climbing Rose

Colour from Autumn to early Summer

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Keukenhof
Lisse, Netherlands

Gardens of Versailles
Versailles, France

Humble Administrator's Garden
Suzhou, China

Eram Garden
Shiraz, Iran

Medellin Botanical Garden
Medellin, Columbia

Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai, United Arab Emirates