Founding florist
Tulipanna
Bondi NSW · est. 1992
A Bondi Road florist since 1992, with seasonal bouquets, arrangements, roses and potted orchids, and a weekly note on what's at market.
Seasonal cut flowerDahlia pinnata hybrids
Dahlias: when they're in season in Australia
In season now (November 2026): No
Dahlias are outside the listed Australian season in November. The national season is January to May. Local growing conditions and supply can change the timing. Check the state guide below and ask your florist about locally grown stems before ordering, especially near the beginning or end of the season.
- Right now
- Out of season in November
- Season
- January to May
- Vase life
- 3 to 8 days
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Written by Dan d'Auvergne
Season by state
Flowers and pets: check before bringing a bunch home
Season months drafted from katehillflowers.com.au, figandbloom.com, livingflowersmelbourne.com.au, flowersforeveryone.com.au, bloomintoyou.com.au and 1 more. Availability varies by grower and region. See sources
Dahlias are a late summer and autumn flower in Australia, at market from about January to May, with the fullest supply in February and March. They are field-grown, so heat, rain and early frost all shorten the run. Victoria has a strong grower base around Geelong, Gippsland and the Yarra Valley, and small farms in South Australia, NSW and south-east Queensland also sell direct and run pick-your-own days. Café au Lait, a creamy blush dinner-plate type, is the one everyone asks for.
Where to buy dahlias
Priced by the stem or small bunch. Large dinner-plate types cost more, and prices rise late in the season as supply thins.
How to choose good dahlias
Look straight into the flower. On most types the centre should be tight and closed, with no yellow disc of pollen showing, because an open centre means the bloom is near the end. The neck just below the head should be firm and straight, especially on heavy dinner-plate types, which can snap or droop. Leaves should be dark green and upright, not blackened or limp. Petals mark easily, so check for bruising where heads have rubbed together. Three to five big blooms, or a bunch of pompons, fill a vase. February and March, when fields are in full flush, give the widest choice.
Grown here or imported?
Dahlias are not native to Australia, but they're grown here commercially.
Where they're grown
Dahlias are grown in the open field from tubers planted in spring once the soil warms, and picked from summer until the first frosts. Commercial supply comes mostly from small and mid-sized flower farms rather than big glasshouse operations. The blooms bruise easily and travel poorly, so most dahlias are sold close to where they are grown, through markets, florists, subscriptions and the farm gate. Many of these farms grow dozens of varieties in rotation. In home gardens, tubers are either lifted and stored over winter or left in the ground where frost and drainage allow.
Stems at Australian markets are mostly grown here, so when they are out of season they are hard to find.
Colours, varieties and care
Colours
- blush
- peach
- burgundy
- magenta
- red
- orange
- white
- bi-colour
Varieties to ask for
- Café au Lait
- Dinner plate
- Pompon
- Ball
Vase life
3 to 8 days
Making them last
- Buy blooms more than halfway open, as dahlias do not open much after cutting
- Avoid stems with browning, wilting or dropping back petals
- Recut stems and stand in a few centimetres of warm water
- Change the water daily, as dahlia stems cloud it quickly
- Keep them out of heat and handle gently, as petals mark easily
Using them at home
Late summer and autumn put dahlias alongside lisianthus, sunflowers, tuberose, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums. Café au Lait with blush lisianthus is a soft pairing, while burgundy ball dahlias with late hydrangeas give a darker autumn look. Big blooms need a wide, heavy vase with a narrower opening so the heads can rest on the rim. Pompons suit bud vases and small jars grouped along a table. Over the vase life the colour softens a little, then the outer petals drop, so remove each bloom as it goes.
Grow your own
Grow your own dahlias
When to plant, by climate zone. Pick your climate: planting times shift a month or two between Hobart and Brisbane.
Plant now in temperate areas
Dahliastubers
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Flowers in about 2 to 3 months, with the main flush later in summer and autumn.
How to plant dahlia tubers
- Wait until frost has passed and the soil has warmed to about 15 to 18°C before planting.
- Pick a spot with six to eight hours of direct sun and shelter from strong wind. In hot areas, afternoon shade helps.
- Dig in compost and aged manure. Where summers are wet, go easy on compost and plant on a slight mound so tubers don't rot.
- Put a sturdy stake in first, then plant the tuber 10 to 15cm deep beside it, eye facing up, about 60cm apart.
- Don't water after planting unless the soil is bone dry. Water lightly once shoots appear, then weekly once plants reach 15 to 20cm.
- In frosty or wet areas, lift tubers once the foliage dies back and store them cool and dry until spring.
Tip: In frost-free gardens with good drainage you can leave the tubers in the ground over winter instead of lifting them.
Sources: gardenexpress.com.au, gwynganadahlias.com.au, abc.net.au, theseedcollection.com.au, salisburygrange.com
Meaning
Traditionally associated with commitment and dignity.
Where to see them growing
Bloom Into You Flower Farm
Flowerdale
Usual season: January to April
Little Lyndoch Flower Farm
Lyndoch
Usual season: not yet confirmed
Pure Maiden Farm
Maiden Gully
Usual season: September to May
Cedar Creek Farm
Cedar Creek (Wollombi Valley)
Usual season: September to May
Quite Contrary Flower Farm
Labertouche
Usual season: not yet confirmed
Koala Hill Flower Farm
Ravensbourne
Usual season: not yet confirmed
Otway Flower Farm
Kawarren
Usual season: October to March
Big Sky Flower Farm
Brukunga
Usual season: not yet confirmed
Wild Violet Flower Farm
Lilydale
Usual season: not yet confirmed
Sydney Flower Market
Flemington
Best months: all year
Melbourne Market flower market (National Flower Centre)
Epping
Best months: all year
Questions people ask
When are dahlias in season in Australia?
Dahlias are at Australian markets from about January to May, peaking in February and March. They are grown outdoors, so a hot summer, heavy rain or an early autumn frost can cut the season short. One wholesaler guide lists September to November, but growers and florists consistently point to late summer and autumn.
Are dahlias in season in December?
Not really. Dahlias usually reach market in January and run to about May, with the fullest supply in February and March. You may find a few early stems from small growers in late December, but for Christmas you are better off with hydrangeas, lisianthus or lilies.
Why do my dahlias droop in the heat?
Dahlia stems are hollow and soft, and they foul warm water quickly, which stops them drinking. Recut the stems, stand them in fresh water, and change it every day in hot weather. Keep the vase out of sun and away from air-con vents, and pick or buy blooms that are firm and nearly open.
Can I pick my own dahlias?
Yes. Several small flower farms open for pick-your-own sessions in dahlia season, including farms in Victoria, the Barossa in South Australia and south-east Queensland. Sessions usually need booking and run on set weekend dates.
How long do cut dahlias last?
Around three to eight days. They are thirsty and cloud the water quickly, so change it daily. Dahlias do not open further after picking, so buy them close to how open you want them.
Related flowers
All flowers
Where this season information comes from
- katehillflowers.com.au/blogs/bloom-journal/delving-into-dahlias
- figandbloom.com/blogs/journal/australian-flower-calendar
- livingflowersmelbourne.com.au/blogs/news/seasonal-flowers-by-month-in-australia
- flowersforeveryone.com.au/blogs/news/seasonal-flowers-guide-in-australia
- bloomintoyou.com.au/summer-flower-farm-victoria
- koch.com.au/blog/the-essential-guide-to-the-dahlia