Delightful, stunning, and colorful are just a few ways to describe the beloved dahlia. Gardeners all over love to add them to their garden plans, and it's easy to see why! There are 42 different species to choose from, and chances are you will find something to suit your taste -- if you haven't already, that is! The beautiful dahlia blooms are a showcase in late summer, welcoming autumn with their many different colors and varieties.

While they are perennials in warmer climates, dahlias cannot survive cold winter months in the ground. However, there's no need to lose hope! With proper care, you can replant the same tuber for years to come. Here is how to properly save and store your dahlia tubers so they can thrive again come spring!

Materials Required

Planting a dahlia tuber in a spring flower garden. Working with plants in the garden. Gardening with flower tubers. Good roots of a dahlia plant. Hands of a gardener woman in a garden in gloves

Image credits: Yevhen Roshchyn via Shutterstock

To properly dig up and care for dahlia tubers over winter, consider using the following materials:

  • Shears
  • Gloves
  • Garden fork/spade
  • Water
  • Plastic wrap or newspaper
  • Bin/crate
  • Material medium (potting soil, peat moss, etc.)
  • Cool, dark space

Digging Up Dahlias

Gardener shaking of the loose soil from the dahlia tubers before storing the plant for the winter months

Image credits: David_Maddock via Shutterstock

Dahlias will start to produce tubers in spring that continue growing and maturing until late in the year. Tubers are the often bulbous part of the stem just beneath the ground; They store unused nutrients. Mature dahlia tubers have a better chance of surviving winter storage, so the best practice is to keep the tubers in the ground as long as possible. Dahlias sprout from an eye on a tuber, which means they can survive winter when properly handled. Once the first frost kills off the top growth (or the top growth dies back), wait about a week before digging up your dahlias.

To properly dig up the tubers, use a garden fork or spade and gently loosen the soil around the entire plant. Carefully pull the tuber clump from the ground. Damage to the stem and/or tubers promotes disease or rot, so handle it with care.

Rinse off any remaining soil. Here, the key is to get as much of the soil off as possible, as any remaining soil can promote decay while in storage. With the tuber in hand, inspect the entire clump and remove any rotten parts. 

Now that they are clean and healthy leave the dahlia tubers in a cool place void of direct sunlight to dry for a few days. You only want to dry the outside but not the inside of the tuber.

How to Store Dahlia Tubers

Dahlia tubers on wooden shelf

Image credits: F. D. Richards via Creative Commons

Step 1: Wrap Them Up!

Once your tubers have dried, use a material such as newspaper or plastic wrap to wrap up the entire tuber. This wrapping is another layer of protection against rot from the medium you will use to store it in and keeps the tubers from getting too dry.

Step 2: Pick a Container

When choosing a container, ensure the environment is damp but not wet and has good airflow. Common choices of containers are cardboard boxes or crates. Alternatively, you can hang them up in paper bags or ziplock bags. Try to space the tubers out because they easily spread diseases to one another when they touch.

 Step 3: Pick a Medium

The medium that surrounds your tubers needs to be able to retain moisture but also provide airflow. Potting soil mixed with sawdust, coconut coir, or wood shavings are all great options to place in your container.

Step 4: Location, Location, Location!

Congratulations, you have wrapped and readied your dahlia tubers for storage! Next, find a space for them to live out their winter days.

The key to success is to choose a cool, dark spot that will not freeze. Depending on where you live, places like the attic, utility room, or closet work wonders. The ideal temperature for your dahlia tubers is between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But, only store them below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and above freezing!

Tips and Tricks

Close up of three pink and white Dahlia flowers in sunlight, with other colorful flowers in the soft background

Image credits: Magnus Binnerstam via Shutterstock

Now that you know how to store your dahlia tubers over winter, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind to help your tubers survive the storage:

  • You can treat tubers with a fungicide before storage (bleach solution, sulfur, etc.).
  • Don't forget about them! Check on the tubers throughout the winter.
  • Check on the moisture level of the medium throughout winter and spray to dampen it, if necessary.
  • Remove any rot or decay, as this can transfer between tubers.
  • If you want to divide dahlia tubers, do so in spring, as the eyes are easier to see at that time.

All Set!

Dahlias are beautiful blooms that are well worth the extra effort it takes to store for the winter. A simple process of digging up, wrapping, storing, and checking in will set you up on the best path for successful plants come spring!

Will you be preserving your dahlia tubers this winter? Comment below!