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1.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Overview
Dahlia × hortensis, commonly known as the Dinner Plate Dahlia, is a magnificent hybrid in the Asteraceae family. People celebrate it for its exceptionally large and showy blooms. This tuberous perennial typically grows 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) tall.
It produces sturdy, hollow stems that often need staking to support the weight of its voluminous flowers. The leaves are pinnately compound. They present a lush, dark green backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant floral display.
The ancestral species of Dahlia are native to the mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America, where they thrive in temperate climates. This hybrid cultivar flourishes under similar conditions.
The defining feature of the Dinner Plate Dahlia is its capitulum inflorescence. It can reach an astonishing 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, resembling a dinner plate. These flower heads contain numerous ray florets, often densely packed. They show an extraordinary spectrum of colors, including pristine whites, delicate pinks, fiery reds, cheerful yellows, and warm oranges.
The patterns may be solid, bi-color, or variegated. The plant's root system consists of fleshy tubers. These tubers are crucial for its perennial nature and serve as storage organs that let it survive dormant periods. Growers cultivate Dahlia × hortensis primarily for its ornamental value.
It adds significant aesthetic appeal to gardens from summer through fall. It is also a notable attractor of pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to garden biodiversity.
Trusted Scientific References
Authoritative external sources for Dahlia × hortensis:
Dahlia Dinner Plate should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Key Features
- Spectacular Flower Size — Blooms can reach an impressive 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, creating a striking visual impact.
- Diverse Color Palette — Available in a wide array of colors, including white, pink, red, yellow, and orange, often with bi-color or variegated patterns.
- Tuberous Root System — Possesses underground tubers that store nutrients and allow for perennial growth in suitable climates.
- Hybrid Origin — A cultivated hybrid (Dahlia × hortensis) developed for enhanced ornamental qualities.
- Long Blooming Period — Provides continuous floral displays from mid-summer through fall until the first frost.
- Attracts Pollinators — Flowers serve as a valuable nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Requires Staking — Due to the large size and weight of the flowers, plants typically need support to prevent stem breakage.
- Sun — Loving — Thrives in locations receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
- Garden Versatility — Excellent for borders, mass plantings, container gardening, and as a focal point in landscape designs.
1.2.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Quick Summary
- Majestic Blooms — Renowned for exceptionally large, vibrant flowers up to 12 inches across.
- Ornamental Gem — Highly valued for dramatic floral displays in gardens and arrangements.
- Tuberous Perennial — Survives winter underground as fleshy roots, regrowing each spring.
- Pollinator Attractor — Draws bees and butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity.
- Frost Sensitive — Requires tubers to be lifted and stored in colder climates.
- Traditional Uses — Ancestral Dahlia species had traditional medicinal and food uses, though limited for this hybrid.
2.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Scientific Identity
3.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Categories & Tags
4.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Appearance & Identification
5.Dahlia Dinner Plate — Water Requirements
- Soil Preference — Thrive in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
- Sunlight Requirements — Require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and abundant, large blooms.
- Watering Regimen — Maintain consistent moisture; water deeply when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, avoiding overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.
- Climate Suitability — Best grown in USDA zones 8-11; in colder zones (3-7), tubers must be lifted and stored indoors over winter to protect from frost.
- Planting Depth and Spacing — Plant tubers 4-6 inches deep with the 'eye' facing upwards, spacing them 18-36 inches apart depending on the cultivar's mature size.
- Staking and Support — Due to their heavy blooms and tall stature, Dahlia Dinner Plate varieties typically require sturdy staking to prevent stems from breaking.
- Fertilization — Benefit from regular feeding with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer once established and throughout the blooming season to support flower production.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
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1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
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Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
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