Are My Dahlia Tubers Dead… or Just Taking Their Time?

It’s the question I get the most at this time of the time of year: “My dahlias haven’t sprouted yet… are my tubers dead?”

If you’ve potted yours up a few weeks ago and you’re still staring at a pot of soil wondering if anything is happening underneath - you’re not the first to fear for the worst. But good news! In most cases, everything is working exactly as it should.

And if you’ve been holding onto your dahlia tubers (or holding off buying them) and wondering when the right moment is to plant them… now is the perfect time.

How to Check If Your Dahlia Tubers Are Alive

I've just filmed a video on this over on my Instagram (so do go over there and give that a watch too), but if you've started your dahlias early in pots and you’re worried that nothing is happening yet, there’s a simple way to check.

Have a very gentle root around in the soil near the top of the tuber and see what’s going on. You might notice:

🌱 Eyes appearing (more on this below!)

🌱 Tiny shoots beginning to form

🌱 Little roots starting to develop

🌱 A firm, healthy tuber that hasn’t softened or rotted

Even if you can’t see shoots above the soil yet, there’s often plenty happening underneath. Just make sure the compost isn’t too wet, as dahlias prefer soil that is lightly moist rather than soggy. Overly damp conditions can slow them down or even cause tubers to rot.

Dahlias Are Waking Up Right Now

With the weather warming up (as I write this towards the end of April) and soil temperatures finally starting to rise, dahlias are just beginning to naturally wake up from their winter sleep - whether you've potted them yet, or not!

For those who haven't started in pots, you might even be noticing something exciting happening on your unpotted tubers… tiny little bumps or shoots appearing on the crown (called “eyes”) and they’re a sign that your dahlias are ready to start growing!

What Are Dahlia “Eyes”?

The eyes of a dahlia tuber are the small growth points that appear on the crown - the part where the tuber meets the stem. These eyes are where new shoots will grow from once the tuber is planted.

Early in the season they can be very small and difficult to spot, but as temperatures warm up they begin to swell and become much easier to see. This is nature’s way of saying: “It’s time to get growing.”

Why Now Is the Best Time to Plant Dahlias

Simply put, dahlias love warmth.

Unlike some spring flowers, they don’t enjoy sitting in cold, wet soil. Planting too early in chilly conditions can slow them down or even cause tubers to rot (which is why, for those who do like to get started early, we always recommend starting in pots).

But as spring progresses and the soil begins to warm up, dahlias become much happier:

🌸 The eyes on the tubers start to show

🌸 Soil temperatures begin to rise

🌸 Plants establish quickly once planted

Interestingly though, many people who started their tubers indoors four weeks ago might not actually be much further ahead than those planting them now.

That’s because dahlias really start growing once the weather warms - and that’s exactly what’s happening at this time of year. So if you plant them now, you’re simply working with nature instead of trying to force things along in a centrally heated house.

Can You Plant Dahlia Tubers Directly Outside?

Yes - now you absolutely can (in fact, we've started planting out the fields at Millets and Woodstock this week)!

Once the soil begins warming up like this later in spring (late April/early May), many gardeners plant their dahlias directly into the ground rather than potting them up first.

To do this, simply:

🌿 Plant the tuber 10–15 cm deep

🌿 Place it with the eye facing upwards

🌿 Cover with soil and wait for the first shoots to appear

Just like with potted tubers, dahlias will usually sprout within a few weeks once conditions are right.

Two Things to Watch Out For

While dahlias are fairly easy to grow, there are two things worth keeping an eye on when planting outside.

Slugs

Fresh dahlia shoots are very attractive to slugs (groan!), especially when they first appear. Adding a little protection around the plants when they begin sprouting can help prevent them being eaten overnight. I'm going to write MUCH more about these slippery little plant-eaters soon, so watch this space!

Late Frosts

Although they love warm weather, dahlias really do not enjoy frost. If there’s a sudden cold snap after planting, simply cover emerging shoots overnight with horticultural fleece, an upturned pot or even a bucket. This quick protection usually keeps young plants safe from this point onwards.

Once planted, your dahlias will take a little time to get going. At first, most of the growth happens beneath the soil, where the plant is building strong roots. Then suddenly, almost overnight, the first green shoots appear. And that’s when it gets really exciting!

So, There's Still Plenty of Time to Plant Dahlias This Year

If you haven’t planted dahlias yet this season, don’t worry - there’s still plenty of time to get started. In fact, planting now often leads to strong, healthy plants that grow quickly as the weather warms.

Many dahlia gardeners like me plant tubers throughout the spring and still enjoy months of beautiful flowers all the way through to autumn.

Our Dahlia Collections Are Selling Fast

If you’re still planning your dahlia garden this year, now is a lovely time to choose your varieties and get them planted.

Our Dahlia Beach Collections and Individual Tuber Varities are beginning to sell out for the season, but there are still some beautiful varieties available. If you're overwhelmed by choice, I'd recommend starting with our collections, as each one has been carefully curated to create a stunning cut flower garden, combining colours and flower shapes that work beautifully together (plus, you get five premium tubers and three packets of cut flower seeds in every box).

Whatever you choose to do, if you’re hoping to grow dahlias this summer, now is the moment to grab yours and get them in the ground!

Got further questions? Tag us on Instagram @dahliabeach — we love seeing what you’re growing.