How to Grow Dahlia 'Café au Lait'

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Dahlia 'Café au Lait'

Dahlia × hybrida 'Café au Lait'

flower

Dahlia 'Café au Lait' is a stunning large-flowered decorative dahlia with creamy blush-pink petals that deepen toward dusty mauve-brown edges, resembling the color of coffee with milk. This award-winning cultivar produces abundant 4-6 inch blooms on sturdy, well-branching plants that reach 3-4 feet tall. It's prized by florists and home gardeners alike for its long vase life and romantic color palette.

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Example Dahlia 'Café au Lait' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Dahlia 'Café au Lait'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Dahlia 'Café au Lait' blooms
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dahlia 'Café au Lait' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for robust blooming)

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Water: Consistent moisture during growing season (1-1.5 inches weekly); allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water at base to avoid fungal issues. Reduce watering after first frost.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-90 days from planting to first blooms

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Planting depth: Plant tubers 2 inches deep; plant transplants at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite or coarse sand Balanced slow-release fertilizer (5-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8-10; can be grown in zone 7 with winter tuber storage

7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Tuber/Transplant Establishment

2-3 weeks

Tubers or transplants are placed in soil. Initial root and shoot development occurs with minimal visible growth above ground.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Plant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Provide support stake early if using. Protect young shoots from slugs.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plants develop strong stems and abundant foliage. Multiple stems emerge from the main plant, creating a bushy, branching framework.

Pinch out the central growing tip when plants reach 12 inches tall to encourage bushiness and more flower stems. Continue pinching side shoots until mid-summer. Water deeply and regularly. Begin light fertilizing every 2-3 weeks.

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Flower buds begin to develop at the stem tips. Foliage is fully developed and lush.

Increase fertilizing frequency to every 1-2 weeks with a flowering formula (higher phosphorus). Maintain consistent watering. Stake or cage plants if needed for support. Remove lower leaves to improve air circulation.

Flowering

8-12 weeks (peak season mid-summer through first frost)

Large, full 4-6 inch creamy-blush flowers with dusty mauve edges open continuously. Blooms are full and abundant.

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Water consistently and deeply, especially during warm weather. Continue weekly fertilizing. Cut for arrangements early morning when stems are turgid. Watch for spider mites and powdery mildew in humidity.

Senescence & Dormancy

Variable; tuber storage 5-6 months

After first frost, foliage blackens and dies back. Underground tubers enter dormancy.

Cut back plants to 3-4 inches above soil after frost. In zones 7-9, dig tubers, allow soil to dry, store in cool (45-50°F), dry location for winter. In warmer zones, tubers may be left in ground with heavy mulch. Check stored tubers periodically for rot.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Sunflowers Coreopsis Cosmos Rudbeckia Salvia Gaura Ornamental grasses Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Anise Plants requiring dry conditions

Common Pests

Increase humidity, spray foliage with water, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly if severe. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur or baking soda spray (1 tbsp per gallon water with a bit of dish soap) weekly at first sign.
Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap, or use neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
and (Gastropoda)
Hand-pick, use copper tape barriers, set beer traps, or apply diatomaceous earth around plant base.
Remove infested flowers, spray with spinosad or neem oil, use blue sticky traps. Maintain good air circulation.
Handpick beetles from flowers in early morning, apply neem oil or spinosad, remove affected flowers immediately.

Uses

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Edible Flower Garnish

Culinary

While not commonly eaten, the large, showy petals of 'Café au Lait' make elegant garnishes for desserts, cocktails, and upscale plated dishes. The petals are non-toxic but should come from pesticide-free plants. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

Dahlia 'Café au Lait' is highly prized by florists and flower arrangers for its exceptional vase life (7-10 days), large size, and romantic coloring. It's perfect for wedding bouquets, formal arrangements, and premium floral designs. [source]

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Dried Flower Crafts

Craft

The full blooms can be dried for use in pressed flower art, potpourri, or preserved floral arrangements. Hang-dry upside-down in a cool, dark location for 2-3 weeks. [source]

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Garden Display & Ornamental Landscaping

Household

With its long blooming season and attractive foliage, 'Café au Lait' serves as a premium garden focal point. The plants' height and abundant flowers make them ideal for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and ornamental borders. [source]

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Pollinator Garden Attraction

Wildlife

The abundant, nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting local pollinator populations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Use sharp, clean scissors and cut at a 45-degree angle. Remove lower leaves from stems and immediately place in cool water. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers. Peak bloom season is late summer through fall; early frosts may end the season. For longest vase life (7-10 days), change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems.

Fun Facts

🌱 Dahlia 'Café au Lait' won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and is one of the most sought-after dahlia varieties for wedding flowers worldwide.
🌱 Dahlias originated in Mexico and were cultivated by the Aztecs; the modern dahlia breeding craze began in Europe in the 19th century, eventually producing over 42,000 registered cultivars.
🌱 Unlike most perennials, dahlias are technically tender perennials that must be dug and stored over winter in zones colder than 8; tubers can last 5-6+ years when properly stored.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch pH Transplant

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