Dahlia coccinea /ˈdeɪ.li.ə/
Common name: Red dahlia · Scarlet dahlia
Dahlia coccinea is a tuberous perennial in the aster family, native to Mexico and Guatemala. It produces branching stems with single, daisy-like flower heads in shades of red, orange, or scarlet, and can reach 2 m or more in the wild. Along with Dahlia pinnata it is a principal ancestor of the modern hybrid garden dahlia, and the species itself is also grown ornamentally.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate; water deeply but avoid soggy soil
Soil
Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained
Hardiness
Zones 8–11; tubers lifted in frost-prone areas
Mature height
About 100–200 cm (3–6.5 ft)
Pet safe
No — toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
Propagate by dividing the tubers in spring, making sure each piece has an eye from the crown, or by taking basal stem cuttings early in the season. Cuttings of 7-10 cm root readily in moist, gritty compost with warmth. It also grows easily from seed.
Fun facts
- Dahlia coccinea was one of the first dahlia species introduced to Europe, reaching Madrid around 1791.
- Its epithet "coccinea" means scarlet, referring to the typical color of its flowers.
- It is one of the two main parent species behind today's tens of thousands of dahlia cultivars.
- Unlike the dense double blooms of modern hybrids, the wild species bears open, single flowers favored by pollinators.