Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca MataCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Red Dahlia Plant Care
Dahlia coccinea Cav.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dahlia coccinea is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. Its common name is red dahlia, although the flowers can be orange or occasionally yellow, as well as the more common red. The species is native to Mexico but has long been cultivated in other countries for its showy flowers.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Red Dahlia?
Water Red Dahlia every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Red Dahlia Native To?
What Is the Red Dahlia?
Red Dahlia (Dahlia coccinea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Dahlia genus. Red Dahlia is native to Mexico. Red Dahlia is also known as Dahlia pinnata, Georgina coccinea, Dahlia crocea.
Red Dahlia displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Red Dahlia produces large, showy blooms in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red Dahlia?
Dahlia coccinea requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Red Dahlia Need?
Red Dahlia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red Dahlia Prefer?
Dahlia coccinea grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Red Dahlia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Dahlia?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Red Dahlia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red Dahlia?
Feed Red Dahlia every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Red Dahlia?
Divide and repot tubers every spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Red Dahlia?
Red Dahlia can be propagated through division of tubers, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree dahlia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Red Dahlia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Red Dahlia?
Red Dahlia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Red Dahlia Need?
Red Dahlia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Red Dahlia is native to Mexico.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Red Dahlia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dahlia genus — compare its care with other Dahlia species on PlantoScan.
Dahlia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Red Dahlia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dahlia coccinea Cav., family Asteraceae (first published in Icon. 3: 33 (1795)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Red Dahlia is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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