How to Grow Dahlia Dinnerplate Karma Choco

Dahlia Dinnerplate Karma Choco

Dahlia × hybrida 'Karma Choco'

flower

Karma Choco is a stunning dinnerplate dahlia cultivar prized for its deep chocolate-brown to burgundy flowers that can reach 10-12 inches in diameter. This dramatic, full-petaled bloom is a showstopper in gardens and cut flower arrangements, displaying rich, velvety coloration that deepens as the flower matures. It's a popular choice for gardeners seeking exotic, sophisticated color in their borders.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily for best blooming and color development

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 2-3 times weekly during growing season. Reduce watering in fall. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-100 days from planting to first blooms

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Planting depth: 4-6 inches for tubers; plant eye bud facing up

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite or sand for drainage Bone meal for flowering

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8-11; can be grown in zone 7 with winter protection or by lifting tubers

8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Tuber Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Tubers begin to sprout eyes and develop small shoots after planting in warm soil (60°F+)

Keep soil warm and consistently moist; avoid planting too early in cold soil which causes rot. Support emerging shoots gently.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops bushy foliage with multiple stems and leafy branches; no buds yet visible

Pinch out central growing tip when plant reaches 12-15 inches tall to encourage bushier branching. Remove lower leaves. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Stake or support tall varieties.

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Terminal buds appear at branch tips; flower buds begin to swell and become visible

Switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support blooming. Continue consistent watering. Remove any diseased foliage. Support heavy buds with stakes if needed.

Flowering

8-12 weeks

Large, full, chocolate-brown flowers open to their full 10-12 inch diameter; multiple blooms appear in succession

Deadhead spent blooms promptly to encourage continuous flowering. Water deeply and consistently. Watch for spider mites and powdery mildew in hot conditions. Cut flowers in early morning for arrangements.

Senescence & Tuber Development

4-8 weeks

Flowering slows as temperatures cool; foliage may yellow; tubers underground continue to enlarge and store energy

Reduce watering gradually in fall. Stop fertilizing. In zones 8-9, dig tubers after first frost when foliage blackens. Cut back stems to 4-6 inches. Store tubers in cool (50-60°F), dark, dry location over winter.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Cosmos Salvia Ornamental grasses Celosia Rudbeckia

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Carrots (root competition) Cabbage family plants

Common Pests

Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation
Remove affected flowers; use sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply neem oil
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur spray or fungicide; remove infected leaves
and
Remove debris; hand-pick; use copper tape barriers; apply slug bait

Uses

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Edible Flower Garnish

Culinary

Dahlia petals are edible and can be used as an elegant garnish for desserts, salads, and cocktails. They add visual drama and a slightly peppery, delicate flavor to dishes. [source]

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Premium Cut Flower & Arrangement

Craft

Dinnerplate dahlias like Karma Choco are premium florist-quality cut flowers ideal for wedding arrangements, exhibition displays, and sophisticated flower arrangements. Their large, architectural blooms hold water well and last up to 10 days. [source]

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Garden Border & Landscape Design

Household

The dramatic chocolate-brown flowers provide sophisticated, dramatic color for garden borders and focal points. Perfect for creating a high-impact visual display in late summer and fall gardens. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Dahlias attract and provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting pollinator populations in the garden ecosystem. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning or late evening when stems are fully hydrated. Cut at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife; remove lower foliage below water line. Place immediately in cool water with floral preservative. Blooms last 7-10 days in a vase. Continue cutting to promote more flowering throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Dinnerplate dahlias were hybridized in the Netherlands and Mexico, and Karma Choco's deep chocolate coloring is unusual among dahlias—most flowers naturally produce reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks rather than true browns.
🌱 Each dahlia tuber can produce 6-10 stems with multiple flowers, and a mature plant can yield 20+ blooms per season, making it incredibly productive for cut flower growers.
🌱 The name 'dinnerplate' refers to the massive flower size; Karma Choco blooms can exceed 12 inches in diameter—as large as an actual dinner plate.

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