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How to Grow Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace'

Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace'

Dahlia × hybridaApricot 'Scarlet Lace'

flower

Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace' is a stunning ornamental flowering plant featuring deep scarlet-red, semi-double to double blooms with intricately ruffled, lace-like petals. This cultivar produces abundant flowers throughout the growing season and is prized by cut flower enthusiasts and gardeners seeking vibrant, long-lasting displays. The plants grow to medium height with sturdy stems ideal for bouquets and arrangements.

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Example Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace' blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; prefers 8+ hours for optimal flowering
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season; water deeply at the base. Reduce watering once blooms appear. Dahlias are drought-tolerant once established but flower better with regular moisture.
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Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from planting tuber to first bloom
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Planting depth: 4-6 inches deep for tubers; bury crown just below soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
compost peat moss or coco coir perlite or sand balanced fertilizer at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives best in zones 8-10; grown as annuals or lifted tubers in zones 3-7

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

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Growth Stages

1

Tuber Dormancy & Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Tubers are stored or planted; shoots begin emerging from the crown after soil warms to 60°F+

Plant tubers horizontally or at an angle with crown eyes pointing upward. Ensure good drainage to prevent rot. Begin watering gently once shoots appear.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Stems elongate, leaves unfurl and multiply; plant develops bushy foliage. No flowers yet.

Pinch off the top growing tip when plant reaches 12-18 inches tall to encourage branching and more blooms. Water consistently, provide stakes or support for taller varieties. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

3

Bud Formation & Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

Buds appear at shoot tips; first flowers open, often smaller than mature blooms. Flower clusters continue to develop.

Pinch out any remaining top growth to direct energy to flowering. Remove side buds on premium stems if larger blooms are desired. Continue regular watering and feeding with phosphorus-rich fertilizer.

4

Peak Blooming

8-12 weeks (until frost)

Abundant scarlet-red, ruffled flowers at full size and form; continuous blooming if spent flowers are deadheaded

Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Water at soil level to keep foliage dry. Cut stems for arrangements frequently to promote more flower production. Monitor for pests and disease.

5

Senescence & Tuber Preparation

Until killing frost (late fall)

Flowering slows as temperatures drop and days shorten; foliage yellows and wilts after first frost

In zones 3-7, dig tubers after frost blackens foliage. Clean soil off tubers, allow to dry 1-2 weeks in cool place, store in peat moss/sand at 45-50°F. In zones 8+, tubers can remain in ground if mulched heavily.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Sunflowers Celosia Cosmos Coneflowers Black-eyed Susans Salvia Gladiolus

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Potatoes Cabbage family plants

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe. Improve humidity and air circulation.

  • Sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil spray. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • Remove damaged flowers and buds. Use insecticidal soap or spinosad. Plant blue trap cards nearby.

  • Hand-pick early morning. Use pheromone traps away from dahlias, or apply spinosad/pyrethrin if damage is severe.

  • and

    Remove debris and hide spots. Use beer traps, copper barriers, or diatomaceous earth around plant base.

  • Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage. Spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide if needed.

  • Remove infected flowers/foliage, improve air circulation, reduce humidity. Apply sulfur-based fungicide preventatively in humid climates.

Uses

🍳

Edible Petals & Garnish

Culinary

Dahlia petals are edible with a slightly sweet, slightly peppery flavor. They make elegant garnishes for desserts, salads, and cocktails, and add visual appeal to gourmet dishes. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

Dahlia 'Scarlet Lace' is a premium choice for cut flower arrangements, wedding bouquets, and floral design due to its long vase life, vibrant color, and complex petal structure. The intricate blooms create dramatic focal points in any arrangement. [source]

🏠

Garden Display & Ornament

Household

The prolific scarlet blooms provide vibrant color in borders, beds, and containers throughout summer and fall. Their formal, ruffled appearance adds elegance to any garden design and attracts pollinators. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Dahlia flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the blooming season, supporting local pollinator populations and contributing to garden biodiversity. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine, dahlia tubers have been used in some cultures for their potential digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut stems in early morning when fully turgid; use sharp pruners and cut at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf node. Remove lower foliage and place in cool water immediately. Change water every 2-3 days. Cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase. Frequent cutting stimulates more bloom production.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were cultivated by the Aztecs over 1,000 years ago; they were nearly extinct until Spanish conquistadors brought seeds back to Europe in the 16th century.
  • 🌱 The dahlia was designated the national flower of Mexico in 1963 and appears on the Mexican 1,000 peso note, honoring its cultural and historical significance.
  • 🌱 Modern dahlia tubers are divided annually because flowers revert to less attractive forms and smaller blooms if tubers aren't separated and renewed each season.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch pH
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