Overwintering guide
How to overwinter café au lait dahlia
Winter watering
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
The mistake that kills café au lait dahlia in winter
Leaving café au lait dahlia in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.
More café au lait dahlia care
Overwintering café au lait dahlia — FAQ
Does café au lait dahlia need to come indoors for winter?
Café au Lait Dahlia is hardy to roughly USDA zone 8 — winter lows around -12°C. That means it survives outside in mild areas, but wants shelter in a hard winter. Café au Lait Dahlia can stay outside over winter in most areas, but appreciates some protection in a cold snap. Mulch generously over the root zone, move containers against a sheltered wall (pots freeze far harder than open ground), and have horticultural fleece ready for the worst nights. The roots are what you are protecting — top growth can be sacrificed and regrown.
When should I move café au lait dahlia for winter?
Mulch and move pots into shelter in late autumn, before the first hard frosts.
How often should I water café au lait dahlia in winter?
Water rarely, and only in dry spells — winter wet is a bigger risk than winter cold. Make sure containers drain freely.
What kills café au lait dahlia over winter?
Leaving café au lait dahlia in a pot standing in a saucer of water. Waterlogged compost freezes solid around the roots and kills plants that would have survived the cold perfectly well.