Best Dahlia Varieties for Beginners: Our Top Picks

Feb 18
3 min read

Updated: Mar 2

Our last post dove into some key considerations that make a dahlia variety a top choice for those new to the sport. Quick recap: For beginners, we recommend varieties that are relatively inexpensive (to practice on), prolific bloomers (to build your confidence and remind you why you love the sport, even if it's work), good tuber producers (to multiply your stock quickly and provide lots of tuber-diving practice and backups) and ultimately sold by a farmer (not a big box retail store—read our last post on why this one's on the list).

Thankfully there's a huge selection of dahlia varieties out there that fit this bill—they're often called "workhorses" in the dahlia community and for good reason. I'mmma share some real "workhorse" standouts we've grown on our farm below.

Our Top Ball-Form Dahlias for Beginning Growers

Ball dahlias (3.5"), mini ball dahlias (2 - 3.5") and pompon dahlias (less than 2") all have the same ball form—they're the ones that are globe-shaped with tightly packed, rounded petals and kinda flat tops.

Ball-type dahlias, in general, are my #1 recommendation for first-time growers.

Here's why: they often produce tons of gorgeously round blooms, they have the best vase life of any dahlia form and they're weather-resistant (in other words it takes a lot more than wind and rain to ruin their perfect appearance).

This is Snoho Doris—a ball dahlia. Notice her spherical shape, her blunted petal edges, slightly flattened top and oh-so-perfect form.

Not all ball-form dahlias are great bloom and tuber producers, however.

So if you wanna feel like you know what you're doing and you're doing it well, start with the ball-form dahlias below that are under $12 and ranked highest in bloom and tuber production from our field notes.

If you click on the caption, it'll open our product page where you can find the dahlia description.

Recommended Ball Varieties (Blooms are roughly 3.5")

Oh Honey. I cheated. This one's $14 but I couldn't leave her off the list because of her incredible productivity.

Recommended Mini Ball Varieties (Blooms are 2 - 3.5")

Recommended Pompon Varieties (Blooms are less than 2")

Now moving away from ball-form varieties to dahlias with a stunning, highly-sought-after form—the formal decorative varieties.

Formal decorative dahlias have highly symmetrical blooms with flatter petals that recurve back towards the stem. The varieties below are prolific bloomers, amazing tuber producers and are rather inexpensive coming in under $12 (one is $13 but she's such a prolific bloomer and tuber producer, she's just gotta be on the list).

Recommended Formal Decorative Varieties

A couple more worth mentioning are two waterlily form dahlias that we couldn't keep up with this season. So. Many. Blooms. Waterlilies have cupped petals that curve up towards the center like a saucer.

Recommended Waterlily Varieties

With a list of high achiever, lower cost dahlias in hand, you are well on your way to an awesome first-time experience growing these enchanting flowers. Fair warning to your pocketbook: collecting dahlias can become somewhat of an addiction so plan accordinly!

Growing Tips for First-Time Growers

If you're interested in starting this hobby up but want more info on how to plant and care for them, we got you covered! Just head to the Dahlia Care section of our website. Happy collecting and growing!!