If you’ve ever wished you had more of your favorite dahlia varieties without spending more money, this post is for you.

Taking dahlia cuttings is an easy, rewarding way to multiply your plants, especially early in the season.

Instead of throwing away the cutting when you pinch your dahlias, you can get a dahlia identical to the parent plant. I like to call it cloning my Dahlias.

This method is especially helpful for:

Increasing stock of rare or expensive varieties
Sharing plants with friends or customers
Growing more dahlias… cause you can never have enough!!

🛠️ What You’ll Need

Sharp, clean scissors or snips
Small pots or trays
Sterile seed-starting mix or potting soil
Rooting hormone (optional, but definitely recommend)
Humidity dome or plastic bag
A warm, bright area (grow light or sunny windowsill)

🌿 Step-by-Step: How to Take Dahlia Cuttings

Step 1: Pinch your Dahlia plant

Pinch your Dahlia plant down to 3-4 sets of leaves. Check out the last blog for all the info and step by step process on why and how to pinch your Dahlias.

Step 2: Remove the side leaves from your Dahlia cutting

Remove the lowest set of leaves from the cutting, leaving only the top 2–3 leaves. Dip the base in the rooting hormone if you have it, it encourages new roots.

Step 3: Plant It

Insert the cutting into a moist seed-starting mix or potting soil. Gently firm the soil around it. Water lightly.

Step 6: Create Humidity

Place the pot under a humidity dome or inside a clear plastic bag to keep moisture in. This helps prevent wilting while roots form.

Step 7: Give It Light and Warmth

Place the cuttings in bright, indirect light (or under grow lights) and keep the temperature around 70°F (21°C). Avoid direct sun until roots have developed.

Step 8: Wait and Watch

Roots will form in 10–14 days. You’ll know your cutting has rooted when you see new growth at the top or feel gentle resistance when you tug.

🌸 What’s Next?

Once your cutting has a healthy root system, transplant it into a larger pot or harden it off before you move it into the garden.

You’ve now just multiplied your dahlias, for free!

What’s another way to take cuttings?

Some growers take cuttings a few months before planting time from tuber shoots. You can take up to 10 cuttings from 1 tuber unless you want to plant the tuber. Then, it is recommended to only take 3-5 cuttings which will leave enough energy in the tuber to grow in the spring. Each rooted cutting can become a full plant that also produces tubers by fall, great for building your collection or stock.

✅ Benefits of Taking Dahlia Cuttings

Saves money on buying new tubers
Increases your stock of favorite varieties
Gives you earlier blooms from young plants
Fun and easy way to learn plant propagation

⚠️ A Few Tips and Warnings

Don’t overwater, cuttings rot easily in soggy soil.
Be patient, cuttings may wilt slightly at first but often bounce back.
Label your varieties! It’s easy to lose track if you’re multiplying several types

🌼 Final Thoughts

Dahlia cuttings are a low-cost, high-reward way to grow your garden. With just a few cuttings, a little patience, and a warm sunny window, you can double your Dahlia patch within the same year.

So grab your snips and give it a try. Your future self (and your garden) will thank you!

Want to double your Dahlias without spending $$ on tubers?