How to Grow Dahlia in New Zealand

A warm-season tuber giving stunning cut flowers from summer into autumn, in forms from dinner-plate to pompon. Stake tall types, pinch the tips early to bush them up, and deadhead to keep them going. In frosty southern gardens lift and store the tubers dry over winter; in mild northern gardens they can stay in the ground.

When to plant dahlia in New Zealand

Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:

Best dahlia varieties for NZ

• Cafe au Lait — Dinner-plate sized blooms in creamy blush tones. The most popular wedding and florist dahlia. Tall, needs staking. (Kings Seeds, Bulbs Direct, garden centres)
• Bishop of Llandaff — Dark bronze-red foliage with single scarlet flowers. Compact, stunning contrast. Classic heirloom. (Kings Seeds, Bulbs Direct, Gardenworld)
• Pompon Mix — Small perfectly round blooms in mixed colours. Compact plants, brilliant for cutting. Long vase life. (Mr Fothergill's NZ, Bulbs Direct, Mitre 10)

How to grow dahlia

• Space plants about 60cm apart.
• Sow seed around 10cm deep.
• Position: full sun.
• Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
• Seeds germinate in about 14 days.

Companion planting

Grow dahlia near: Marigold, Zinnia, Cosmos.

Pests and problems

Watch for: Aphids, Slugs, Snails, Earwigs. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.