Consulta Plantas

Care of the tuberous plant Dahlia imperialis or Tree Dahlia

The genus Dahlia, family Asteraceae, includes 30 species of tuberous plants native to Mexico and Central America. Some species are: Dahlia imperialis, Dahlia pinnata, Dahlia coccinea, Dahlia sambucifolia, Dahlia spectabilis, Dahlia excelsa.

Common names: Tree Dahlia, Bell tree dahlia. This species is native to Mexico.

They are tuberous plants that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. They have hollow stems and bipinnate or tripinnate leaves. The flowers appear in terminal spikes and are pink, lilac or white with a yellow center. They bloom in autumn but can do so in other seasons.

They are used to form groups in the garden, as isolated specimens or in pots. Sometimes they need tutors to grow upright.

Dahlia imperialis needs full sun exposure and sheltered from the wind that can break the stems. They do not resist frost.

They can grow in medium heavy soils but prefer cool soils with abundant organic matter. At the end of flowering they come to rest; It's advisable to remove the tubers, especially if the winter is very cold, and store them in damp sand.

Water abundantly so that the substrate is always moist; wait for the substrate surface to dry before watering.

Fertilize with compost or manure in late winter.

Prune wilted flower stems 10 cm (3.93") from the base.

They are quite easy to grow plants that do not usually have serious problems with pests and diseases.

They propagate by dividing the tuber by rooting parts that have a sprout.

Images of the tuberous plant Dahlia imperialis or Tree Dahlia