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

Let's talk about mental health this Monday, says Plants and Minds

Gardening and Flower Shows 2026

How to Make a Christmas Wreath: A Step by Step Guide

Why Poinsettias Mean Christmas: The Festive Flower's Surprising History and Symbolism

Gardening Projects for January

---

How to Make a Bird Feeder

How to Protect Containers

How to pH Test Soil

How to take Hardwood Cuttings

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

How can I stop my roses suffering from wind-rock?

How should I overwinter a potted Canna lily?

How do I insulate my greenhouse?

Why are there brown / black marks on my Hellebores?

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Vallarta Botanical Garden
Vallarta, Mexico

Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden
Saint Petersburg, Russia

RHS Garden, Wisley
Woking, United Kingdom

Majorelle Garden
Marrakesh, Morocco

The New York Botanical Garden
New York, United States

Villa d'Este Gardens
Tivoli, Italy