Flower Encyclopedia
Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata
Late-summer showstoppers with geometric petals and a size range from golf ball to dinner plate.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
At A Glance
Typical vase life
4–7 days
Availability
Seasonal
Peak months
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cost
Moderate
Fragrance
Little to none
Pollen
Low
Care
Needs attention
Out of water
Under 2 hours
Heat tolerance
Low
Cold tolerance
Moderate
Outdoor events
Fair
Around pets
Use caution
Pets in the house? Use caution.
Dahlias warrant caution around cats and dogs — chewing on foliage or blooms can cause mild mouth irritation or stomach upset. Keep arrangements out of reach, and contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
What It Means
Dahlias carry a mixed but generally positive symbolism: dignity, commitment, and staying graceful under pressure, in part because they bloom hardest as the season turns. Their intricate, mathematically ordered petals also read as a nod to elegance and inner strength.
Colors it comes in
red · burgundy · coral · peach · pink · white · yellow · orange · purple
Coordinates beautifully with
warm rust · cream · deep plum · soft peach · gold accents
Season & Sourcing
Dahlias are a summer-into-fall crop, strongest from midsummer through the first frost and heavily field-grown. Supply thins fast once cold weather arrives, and the largest dinner-plate types are the first to disappear.
Vase life, honestly
Dahlias are beautiful but not long-lasting — four to seven days is realistic. They are thirsty and bruise easily, so handle the heads gently and keep the water clean and topped off.
Fragrance
Dahlias have essentially no scent, which makes them an easy choice for tables and enclosed rooms where perfume competes with food.
Keeping It Alive
- 1Recut stems at an angle and place them in cool, clean water immediately — dahlias fade quickly once dry.
- 2Strip all foliage below the waterline; dahlia leaves foul water fast.
- 3Change the water every day or two and recut the hollow stems each time.
- 4Keep them cool and out of direct sun and drafts.
- 5Handle heads by the base, not the petals, which crush easily.
What it costs: In season, standard dahlias sit in the moderate range, but the large dinner-plate and specialty café au lait types command premium pricing and sell out quickly. Off-season, they are hard to source at any price.
Where It Shines
At weddings
A favorite for late-summer and fall weddings, where large café au lait and dinner-plate varieties anchor bouquets and centerpieces. Ball and pompon types add tidy, repeating shapes to compositions, though their short vase life means arranging close to the event.
In sympathy work
Warm-toned dahlias suit celebration-of-life arrangements and home tributes with a seasonal, garden-gathered feel. Their limited longevity makes them better for the service itself than for pieces meant to last.
Every day
A generous seasonal treat — a jar of mixed dahlias straight from a late-summer field reads as abundant and personal. Best enjoyed when you can replace them within the week.
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A Little History
Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, where the Aztecs cultivated them; Spanish botanists sent tubers to Europe in the late 1700s. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, and thousands of named cultivars exist today thanks to two centuries of breeding.
Questions People Ask
Why do my dahlias wilt so fast?
Dahlias are naturally short-lived cut flowers and very sensitive to dirty water and warmth. Recut the hollow stems, change the water daily, keep them cool and out of sun, and expect roughly four to seven days at best.
When are dahlias in season?
Cut dahlias run from midsummer through the first fall frost, peaking in late summer and early autumn. Outside that window they are scarce, and garden roses or chrysanthemums make the closest substitutes.
Do dahlias have a scent?
No — dahlias are effectively unscented, which is one reason they work so well on dining tables and in small rooms where a strong perfume would be distracting.
Are dahlias a concern around pets?
Treat them with caution around cats and dogs, since chewing can cause mild mouth or stomach irritation. If a pet nibbles an arrangement, call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service.
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