Dahlia

SEASONALITY
➜ Late Summer–Fall (Aug–Oct)

DESIGN TYPE
➜ Focal Flower, Accent Flower, Texture Flower

VASE LIFE
➜ Variety Dependent
➜ Sensitive to Moderate

BLOOM SIZE
➜ Variety Dependent
➜ 1–10in

STEM LENGTH
➜ 30–70cm

➜ Dahlias should be processed immediately upon arrival and ideally should not remain dry-packed for longer than a few hours—the sooner they're drinking, the happier they'll be

➜ Give stems a fresh angled cut and allow 4–6 hours of hydration before designing, keeping buckets filled with clean, cool water

➜ Don't evaluate bloom quality right out of the box—many dahlias become noticeably firmer and more vibrant after a proper drink

➜ Store in the cooler until production begins, keeping stems away from cooler fans, freezing air, and frequent temperature swings

➜ Design in fresh water whenever possible, especially for weddings and events where maximum vase life is the priority

➜ If using floral foam, make sure it's fully saturated before inserting stems and monitor moisture throughout the event—dahlias have very little patience for drying out

➜ Handle stems rather than the flower heads whenever possible, giving the delicate petals plenty of space during production, transport, and setup

➜ Save your most perfect blooms for the final stages of production—they're too beautiful to spend unnecessary time being bumped around the design bench

➜ For outdoor events, warm weather, or lengthy installations, order a few extra stems and keep them hydrated nearby for quick replacements if needed

POSITIVES ➜
♡ Incredible bloom quality and detail
♡ Huge variety of colors and forms
♡ Creates instant focal points
♡ Photographs beautifully

NEGATIVES ➜
✗ More delicate than many cut flowers
✗ Doesn't particularly enjoy heat
✗ Vase life is shorter than hardier blooms
✗ Occasionally behaves like the prettiest problem in the room

Are dahlias available year-round?
➜ Short answer? Kind of… we recommend buying in their peak local season for the best quality blooms
➜ Although the blooming season in the US is typically summer–fall, we’re able to import dahlias at certain times of year from international farms in Holland, Canada, and South America—that said, imported dahlias come with a certain level of risk when comparing cost to longevity

Why are my dahlias wilting so quickly?
➜ Dahlias are gorgeous, dramatic, and not especially forgiving—heat, dirty water, delayed processing, and time out of water can all cause them to decline quickly
➜ If they start to soften, recut stems and move them into fresh water in a cool spot immediately—this won’t always bring them back, but it’s always worth a shot

Can dahlias be used in floral foam?
➜ Yes, but fresh water is kinder—dahlias can be designed in properly saturated floral foam for event work, but they generally last longest in a clean vase or water-source arrangement
➜ If using foam, keep it fully wet and avoid placing dahlias in hot or exposed locations

Can dahlias be out of water for bouquets or installations?
➜ Briefly, yes—dahlias are not the flower to leave dry for hours and hope for the best; handheld bouquets are as far as you should push it, as other dry pieces like corsages or flower crowns will absolutely cause your dahlias to crash—dramatically
➜ For warm weather events, bring extra stems in a crash bucket and swap tired blooms before photos or guest arrival

Why do dahlia petals fall out so easily?
➜ Dahlia petals are soft, layered, and delicate—making them incredibly susceptible to damage
➜ Large decorative varieties can shatter if bumped or brushed—handle by the stem whenever possible and give the bloom heads space

Do dahlias have a strong fragrance?
➜ Most varieties have little to no noticeable scent in their blooms, but many give off a faint peppery fragrance when stems are cut

Can dahlias be used in bouquets?
➜ Absolutely, they're one of the most highly sought-after focal blooms for bridal bouquets, statement arrangements, floral installations, and design styles of all types

☆ One of the most requested flowers for late summer and fall weddings
☆ Adds instant visual impact to bouquets and centerpieces
☆ Available in an enormous range of bloom forms and colors
☆ Creates a strong garden-style aesthetic
☆ Worth every bit of the extra attention

☆ Garden Roses
☆ Lisianthus
☆ Zinnias
☆ Scabiosa
☆ Cosmos
☆ Amaranthus
☆ Italian Ruscus

☆ Dahlias are one of the most sought-after seasonal flowers because they offer shapes, colors, and petal structures that are difficult to replicate with anything else

☆ Unlike many cut flowers, dahlias are usually harvested close to their final open stage, which means they deliver immediate impact—but require careful timing

☆ Florists love dahlias for their drama, but experienced designers treat them with respect—short vase life, delicate petals, and heat sensitivity are all part of the package