How to Grow Dahlias in Pots! My Biggest Success This Season! Great Addition To Cut Flower Gardens!

In this video I show you how I grew several dahlias in pots this year with tremendous unexpected success! I give you a tour of the dahlias grown in pots, as well as, explain how and what I used to plant them. For reference, I show you how some of my dahlias did in the ground. Overwhelmingly (except for a small section by the front of our house that gets the most sun), the dahlias grown in pots performed the best - and were, by far, the easiest to plant/tend to on our property!
Fast forward to 5:30 to see me explain how I plant dahlias in pots!
Several dahlias are shown in this video including:
-Sylvia
-Shadow Cat
-Dahlias found in the "Red Mix" and "Old Rose Mix" from Eden Brothers
-Take Off
-Bodacious
-Pee Gee
-Checkers
-Tipsy
-Tartan
-Picasso
-Flip Flop
-Wildcat
I encourage you to try growing dahlias in pots if you haven't! If you're hesitant, I'm betting you'll have better results than you think. To be honest, I threw them in pots, so I wouldn't waste the tubers, half expecting them not to grow, but they sure did! My guess is that digging tubers up from the pots will be substantially easier than from the ground, so that's another win in my book!
Please comment and tell me what your favorite dahlia you've grown this year is, as well as, like and subscribe to my channel to follow along! I'd love to have you a part of our crew! See you in the next video!
Happy Planting!
-Steph

[@scar1508]

I know this is an older video but I have to say, after hours of research you were the most refreshing to watch. It was no fuss, straightforward information and you even tested multiple tubers in a small pot which nobody else seems to dare do. Thank you!!

[@TinysGarden]

Wow, thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful! 😀

[@NeferLioness]

So encouraging to see your dahlias! I started mine this year

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! Good luck with yours!

[@eikoqdupree101]

so glad you are Happy! thats what its all about. I happy for you.

[@TinysGarden]

It’s the best! Thank you!

[@lorrainedubois1630]

You are filled with good information and so delightful!

[@TinysGarden]

Oh, thank you, Lorraine! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

[@miriamgrutz2132]

I have been watching videos about growing dalias in containers. I really appreciated this video. You was very informative 👍. I'm going to save your video to try your instructions 😉 😊

[@TinysGarden]

Oh, Miriam, wonderful! I’m glad you’ve found it helpful! Best of luck and enjoy the blooms! 😄

[@LisaMonique]

I remember watching this video last year, and now I watched your videos in 2023 and wonder what you think of your dahlias in pots 😂. Not that anything wrong with pots I have 50 something growing in pots but they just don’t compare to what you have now lol.

[@TinysGarden]

Hahaha, I still love those dahlias in pots because they’re some of what created the hunger I have now. But yes - no doubt about it - this year is my best year for dahlias. Flying colors! 😍

[@madambutterfly5343]

Great video. Enjoyed your personal information and experiences with dahlias. Things that worked and didn’t work. Thanks!

[@TinysGarden]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@j.b.6855]

After finding your channel I am watching some of the video's on things I am growing. I bought a pack of dahlia seeds from Baker Creek this year. I am way to frugal to buy tubers. I know I am not guaranteed top get any specific shape/color but seeing what you get it half the fun. Glad to know they do well in containers in our zone as I am a container gardener. I will be planting them in 2 and 3 gallon menards buckets I have spray painted. Frugal gardening is a must being disabled and on a fixed income.

[@TinysGarden]

I don’t blame you one bit, J.B.! In fact, I’m here to tell you, my container dahlias did just as well if not better than my raised bed dahlias. It’s really simple and you can get fantastic results. I personally think there’s little else that is as magical than dahlias grown from seed. Each one completely unique and a potential new variety of dahlia forever if you keep the tubers! Just be sure to name one after your wife if you keep one…she’s the reason you have flowers, right?! 😃

[@j.b.6855]

@@TinysGarden One of the main reason I got the dahlias is they are perennial and easily propagated. I am focusing in on perennials lately because you dont have to start over from seed. The seed pack had about 50 seeds. so lots of chances for a good one.

[@sweetengland99]

I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing. 🌺👍🏻💕🔔

[@TinysGarden]

I’m so glad! Thank you for watching!

[@akronwatershed7966]

Very Nice for your 1st year attempts

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, Akron! I was VERY pleased! 😄

[@JamesEndo1]

Great job. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, James! It was a super rewarding project!

[@healthesoils]

loved the comparison! I planted dahlias in pots too this year and they did so well!

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! It’s fun to experiment and then have something turn out to be a huge success! Glad it went well for you as well! 👍👏

[@Framos16]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Gonna plant my first Dahlias this year!

[@TinysGarden]

Woo hoo! My pleasure! You'll be hooked, Frankie! :)

[@dianeleavitt7947]

I was just trying to decide if I will container pot or ground pot my tubers. Think I'll do both like you! Great video!

[@TinysGarden]

Thanks, Diane! Sounds like a great plan to me! 😀 Glad you enjoyed! Have a great dahlia season!

[@eikoqdupree101]

Sooo BEAUTIFUL 😍 ❤ I'M NEW SO THANK YOU. YOUR FUN

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, Eiko! Welcome! Looking forward to more dahlia beauties this year as well!

[@MinhNguyen-iz1pj]

So beautiful thank you 😊

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, Minh! I'm so glad you enjoyed! :)

[@a1garden176]

Beautiful ❤️❤️

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you!

[@thania2266]

Thanks for sharing; lots of info. I'm actually in Illinois too, but in zone 6B; however, I think the soil is the same clay too anyways; thanks again.

[@TinysGarden]

My pleasure, Thania! I’m glad it’s helpful! I’ve found it’s a great solution to dealing with the clay! Good luck!

[@msmaddox2918]

Your bulldog is so cute!! 💜 The dahlias are gorgeous too!

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! We just recently lost him…he was the best ❤️🐶

[@msmaddox2918]

@@TinysGarden I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@stk.plantation2912]

I like good 👍

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! 😊

[@TheDwightMamba]

With heavy clay, I dig in a cone shape that gets wider as it gets deeper with a post hole digger and fill up to about 16" from ground level with sand. Then I add my soil. A lot of work, but outdoor plants are happiest in the ground where the worms can eat dead roots and the toilet paper tubes full of kitchen scraps I gift them.

[@TinysGarden]

That’s an excellent idea! How clever! Those worms must love you! I’m trying to figure out if we could even dig 16” down…I guess we did that when we planted our Ginko trees. I applaud you for rising to that challenge repeatedly!

[@TheDwightMamba]

I am in the middle of starting a flower nursery/ organic farm in South Haven [across the lake from you]. I pretty much listen to all things flowers in earbuds and your video came on. My recipe for flower success is to dig out the weed roots completely and mix my own soil. In addition to the paper tube compost, all of my haircuts, beard trims and coffee grounds go right into the soil. I also add a big back of oatmeal to the mix for worm food. The soil with the grass/weed roots gets sifted and added to future mixes. You just got a sub from me. I will let you know when Planet-Pollen is open in 2023. Of course a KZbin channel is on the way. Right now I'm just adding to the selection of perennials and letting them expand.

[@TheDwightMamba]

And on my finicky plants. I put terra cotta jars buried to the necks around them. The roots pull water through them as needed, so they are perfect water batteries.

[@TinysGarden]

I’m so excited for you! That’s incredible! You sound like a real soil agronomist! We’re familiar with South Haven and love that area of Michigan…we got married in New Buffalo/Benton Harbor! Keep me updated and best of luck! Thanks for the sub and next time we are over there if you’re open we’ll stop by!

[@TheDwightMamba]

I made a private Facebook group for Planet Pollen and invited all the people that liked and commented on the flower posts. This summer, I will release photos of flowers and produce for sale every Monday. They can claim them all week and arrange for pickup or delivery every Saturday. All of that money and half of my dog training money will go towards taking next winter off, so I can plant bulbs in pots. I can't wait for you to see the Dahlia selection. I buy every time I see a new color.

[@thequirkycreative]

Great video!! How hot does it get where you are at? I’m worried about our high heat in Fresno, Ca. First year!!

[@TinysGarden]

Not too hot…90s maybe, but not much more than that. Dahlias will do better in the heat than other plants though.

[@BritishWestIndian]

I sprinkle bone meal in everything- it really makes a difference with dahlias - actually experimented without and those did poorly

[@TinysGarden]

That’s all I use now!

[@ajrosenberg7701]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, husband!

[@neelarangoo9774]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I would like to know if I cover my dahlia with plastic outside intend of digging it for winter do u think it will blooms? I lost all my dahlia think year 😢

[@TinysGarden]

It's a gamble, but you could try it! I'm always cautious and bring them in, but I have heard some others experiment with different ways of overwintering them and having success! I'm sorry you lost all your stock...that's heartbreaking. Good luck!

[@neelarangoo9774]

Thank

[@nikkiholton6318]

How often do you water them ? I am dealing with upper 90s and 100 plus Temps daily....I water them every day....maybe I'm watering them too much....but the pots dry out ....I don't get the long stems you get and they don't look near as good as yours....I have fertilized them....but do you train them a certain way to get those long stems ?? Help....

[@TinysGarden]

Did you pinch them? That may help with stem length if you haven't. When it's that hot and they are in containers I water daily. That being said, this year mine are not looking quite as good as last year (this video is from last year). When I start cutting them, I cut deep into the plant and the new stems that grow back will grow longer too. Keep that in mind after you get blooms. You can also double check to make sure your tubers aren't mushy from watering - if so, you can cut the affected mushy tubers off and place them back in the ground and the plant will rejuvenate. If that's the case, I'd back off on watering a bit. Good luck, Nikki! Keep me updated!

[@nikkiholton6318]

@@TinysGarden thanks so much...I think I will check the tubers....I didn't really think about doing that....but it should be easy with them being in pots !!

[@sarikadatta3706]

How will you overwinter them in pots. ? I am in zone 6a, can you guide how will you overwinter them in pots and not dig the tubers out

[@TinysGarden]

I don’t overwinter them because they wouldn’t survive in the pots in my 5b zone - or at least I’m not going to risk it. I dig the tubers up every year!

[@terramohr8048]

What soil did u use for container

[@TinysGarden]

Any potting soil besides miracle grow…this was a couple years ago so I don’t remember exactly. Apologies!

[@danielastanciu8263]

Did you do one tuber per pot?

[@TinysGarden]

Yes!

[@nikkiholton6318]

How much of each of the additives did you do approximately in each pot

[@TinysGarden]

I just measured according to package instructions! It will tell you on the directions how much for each additive. I followed those as closely as possible.

[@nikkiholton6318]

Thank you 😊

[@TinysGarden]

@@nikkiholton6318 my pleasure! 😄

[@cherierangel7459]

Will these come back each year in the pot?

[@TinysGarden]

Not in my climate - it’s too cold! So I have to dig up the dahlias and store them over winter. You’d have to double check if they would over-winter where you live.

[@cherierangel7459]

@@TinysGarden I'm in Algonquin, Il. Same zone as you. 🙂 Maybe you can do a video on winterizing tubers? Thanks for all your info. Started watching your channel yesterday and have learned so much!

[@TinysGarden]

@@cherierangel7459 oh I’m so happy to hear that! I did a video on digging up and storing tubers while it was snowing! Let me know if you don’t see it and I’ll try to send you a link! 😄

[@rosieg4813]

how to you prune them

[@gingergigi4290]

Good Lawd back off the camera. It looks like you’re trying to eat it and made me so motion sick 🤢