Quality of dahlia tubers – does the size and condition of the tuber matter?

Each dahlia tuber is unique, just like us humans. The appearance and characteristics of tubers can vary greatly between varieties. In both shape and size, but also in characteristics such as development time and productivity. Some have long, slender tubers, while others can be short and thick. Some varieties produce many tubers per plant which can then be divided repeatedly, while others need to be propagated by cuttings as the tubers barely grow. Some dahlia varieties can also be stored easily, while others rot or dry out easily.

The appearance after winter storage can also vary enormously between varieties. Some dry out thoroughly while others retain more resilience but in the end they still deliver big beautiful plants with flowers. So a tuber can look very dull to the naked eye but the end result will still be the same with the right conditions. In other words, there is no standard condition or specific standard shape when it comes to dahlia tubers.

That’s why we always recommend that the tuber is planted before it is considered unusable.

Author: Johanna Damm

Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra

Last updated: November 2025-02-14