Dahlia variabilis
Dahlia brings drama and luxury to the garden with giant blooms in an endless variety of shapes and vivid colors. Ideal as a focal plant and premium cut flower.
Growing Guide & Production Protocols
Cultivation & Growing Guidelines
Dahlia variabilis is a show-stopping annual from the Asteraceae family, celebrated for its bold, decorative blooms and continuous summer color. Thriving in full sun and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, dahlias deliver reliable performance in landscapes, patio pots, and mixed containers. With strong stems and prolonged flowering, they provide excellent garden impact and premium retail appeal.
Remove from mist quickly, maintain air circulation, and prevent Powdery Mildew. pH 5.8–6.2, EC 0.8–1.2, feed 50 ppm N then 100–150 ppm N. Apply fungicide at sticking and week 2; Daminozide 1,500 ppm if needed. Use night interruption or daylength extension for flowering.
Danziger’s Dahlia breeding focuses on uniform habits, early flowering, and an exceptional palette of vibrant colors-perfect for growers looking for standout performance and consumers seeking high-impact blooms.
For more detailed growing tips – such as sticking guidelines, recommended PGRs, and scheduling protocols – check out our Dahlia variabilis Growing Tips.
Common Production Base Specs
Core agronomic requirements applying across all Dahlia variabilis series.
| Crop Type | Bedding - Annuals |
|---|---|
| Growing Guide & Production Protocols | Dahlia variabilis, part of the Asteraceae family, is known for its spectacular, multi-petaled blooms in a massive array of striking colors. This tuberous perennial/annual thrives in full sun, rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. With strong branching and vivid floral output, Dahlia variabilis blooms from mid-summer until the first frost, making it a favorite for cut flower gardens, large containers, and focal landscape beds that need premium, high-impact floral displays. |
| Cultivation & Groweing guidelines | Maintain 68-72°F (20-22°C) early for rooting, then cool to 55-60°F (13-15°C) to tone and encourage compact growth. pH 5.8-6.2, EC 0.8-1.2, feed 100-150 ppm N. Allow moderate dry down between irrigations. Apply preventative fungicide at transplant. Apply Daminozide at 1,500-2,500 ppm or Uniconazole as needed for height control. |
| Growth Habit | Upright / Bushy |
| PGR Requirements | Moderate to High |
| Recommended Formats | Quarts, Gallons, Large Containers |
| Flowering Season | Mid-Summer to Autumn |
Commercial Dahlia variabilis Series Overview
Danziger offers a specialized Dahlia variabilis lineup, with each series bred for specific growth habits and production goals. Danziger offers different series within this crop:
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CHÉRIE™ Series
Explore Series: CHÉRIE™ Series →- Large double blooms
- Available in a variety of 16 solid, bicolor and novelty colors
- Uniform production timing
- Works well in gallon programs (17cm pots)
- Blooms Spring to Summer
Greenhouse Grower 2025 Medal of Excellence Editor’s Choice Award
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DANZIGER & MORE- Dahlia variabilis
Explore Series: DANZIGER & MORE- Dahlia variabilis →DANZIGER & MORE was created to give our partners more possibilities through one trusted production partner.
By expanding our production capabilities and working with additional leading breeders, Danziger can now offer a broader portfolio of genetics while maintaining the production standards, reliability, quality, and service our partners already know.DANZIGER & MORE brings together more genetics, more production capabilities, and more flexibility within Danziger’s global production network — helping growers, brokers, and rooting stations simplify sourcing and access a wider range of solutions from one reliable partner.
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DARLIN’™ series
Explore Series: DARLIN’™ series →
