Dahlia plant has become increasingly popular, and it is easy to understand why. Dahlias are characterized by their beautiful, multi-petalled blooms. They make excellent cut flowers as well as provide pollinators with food. These include the dinnerplate dahlias, which have double flowers measuring 10-12 inches in diameter.
Many dahlia farmers are wondering, with the increase in popularity of dahlias, if they are perennials or annuals. It turns out, however, that the answer to whether dahlias grow as annuals or perennials cannot be answered simply with a “yes” or “no.”
To answer this question, we must first understand the entire life cycle of dahlias. They are tropical plants in their native habitat. These flowers are also produced from underground tubers.
The Answer in Detail
Both can be grown, as mentioned above! The USDA zone in which you live will significantly impact how you can achieve this. You can determine your growing zones by searching your zip code. You can better plan your garden if you know what zone you are in.
Understanding their life cycle and how they grow naturally in their habitat is also helpful. Dahlias are natives of Central America and Mexico. It makes sense that they prefer areas with no frost.
Dahlias have even become the national flower in Mexico. The Aztecs grew them as animal feed and as a medicine plant.
Dahlias will grow and flower best in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. It also helps underground tubers to survive the winter. Locations with full sun also maintain a warmer soil temperature during the winter. Tubers can grow up to 10 times in a single season. The tubers do not tolerate cold temperatures and will fall to the ground during the winter.
It would help if you planted dahlias in a well-lit area, regardless of your zone. You can either leave the tuberous roots in the ground or grow them as bedding plants and dig them for storage. Allow the foliage to completely die before pruning the dahlias.
Dahlias are perennial plants that can be grown to produce striking flowers. It takes some skill, some trial and error, and a little luck, which comes from ideal weather conditions.
You can grow dahlias more easily as annuals by purchasing tubers in advance of the growing season and planting them. This is a better option than making the plants survive the winter.
Winterizing Dahlias Hardiness Zones 8-10
If you live in a warm climate area, it is easy to grow dahlias. In these zones, there are a few options for winterizing your plants. Hardiness zone 10 is a growing zone where plants can grow without winter protection.
Dahlias are perennial plants that can be planted in zones 8-9. Wait until the first frost of autumn, when dahlia foliage and flowers die back. Cut the dead leaves to 2 to 4 inches above the soil at this stage.
It is best to cover the stems to prevent too much moisture from entering them and possibly reaching the tubers of dahlias a few inches beneath. This can lead to rotting.
Cover the ground with a layer of mulch, such as bark chips, pine needles, or mulch. This thick layer will protect each tender perennial from the cold winter temperatures. This method is best for perennials in these zones because temperatures seldom fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
This method will not work in climates with freezing temperatures. Even a thick layer of mulch will not keep the soil temperature warm enough to allow tubers the chance to survive in colder climates. Following these methods will help your plants to grow into perennials in zones 8-10.
