Mini Dahlia Seeds

Mini dahlias are seed-grown bedding dahlias that stay compact and bloom in a mix of colours, often semi-double. They are rewarding in pots, but lowland heat and heavy rain make them fussier than marigolds or zinnias — a good next step for gardeners with some experience.

1. Sow 0.5 cm deep in cells of seedling mix, one or two seeds per cell.
2. Keep moist and warm; seedlings appear in about a week.
3. Transplant at 4–6 leaves into 20–25 cm pots of free-draining mix.
4. Pinch the tip once for bushier plants, and remove spent flowers.

Tip: give morning sun and afternoon shade, water at the base and shelter pots from long spells of rain — wet roots and leaves lead to rot. Each plant forms small tubers you can keep and replant.