Dahlia Tuber FAQ - Receiving your Order

For a complete informational guide to growing, head to the shop to purchase our Dahlia Guide.

Do not leave packages containing dahlias outside in freezing weather for an extended period of time. Due to the volume of orders we receive, we are not able to hold, delay, or change your order. If you plan to be out of town when we are shipping, please make sure you have a plan for someone to receive your package(s) for you.
 
Tubers will be packaged by variety in bags and shipped in a cardboard box or padded envelope. Storage medium is not included, so please be sure to move your tubers to proper storage if you are not planting right away. To prevent moisture loss, we recommend wrapping your tubers in newspaper or packing them in bags with peat, sawdust, or vermiculite. Minimize air flow and do not store in a wet or humid environment.
 
* Remember that tubers come in all shapes and sizes, and will break dormancy at different rates depending on the variety. If condensation appears on the packaging, open up the bag and air it out to prevent mold development on tubers.
 
Please understand that tubers at shipping will still be dormant, which can make eyes difficult to see.
 

Help! My tubers look wrinkled/shriveled.

Tubers may lose moisture and become a little soft or shriveled while they are in storage. Because dahlia tubers are an organic, living thing, there can be a lot of variation in how they store. It is completely normal for tubers to lose moisture during storage, and is something that we try our best to minimize.

Here's what to do if you receive wrinkled tubers:

1. Give them a (gentle!) squeeze. Tubers should still have some resistance to them.

2. If your tuber turns to mush when you press on it or if it is dry/hollow inside, send us an email with your order number in the subject line along with photos of your tuber and the name of the variety. We will send you a replacement tuber or a credit for the purchase price of the tuber.

To prevent moisture loss, we recommend wrapping your tubers in newspaper or packing them in bags with peat, sawdust, or vermiculite. Minimize air flow and do not store in a wet or humid environment.

 

Oh no! My tuber has a broken neck / no eyes / mold growth!

Take a look at this photo to learn more about a tuber's anatomy.

If a neck is totally severed or barely hanging on, and there is only 1 tuber attached, please send us an email with your Order # in the subject line, the name of the variety, and photos of the tuber. We will determine if a replacement is needed or if you should wait to see if it sprouts.

If there are multiple tubers attached to the head and there is at least 1 neck intact, good news: your tuber is viable!

Keep in mind that the tubers are still dormant when they are shipped and their eyes may be very difficult to see. If your tuber doesn't sprout or it looks like yours doesn't have an eye, send us an email with your Order # in the subject line, the name of the variety, and photos of the tuber. We will determine if a replacement is needed or if you should wait to see if it sprouts.

It is common for mold to grow on the cut ends of tubers. If you see any, give your tuber a gentle squeeze to see if it feels mushy. If the tuber still feels firm, you will be able to cut off the infected part of the tuber or simply wipe the mold off with some hydrogen peroxide, and move it to a spot with less humidity. Contact us within 2 weeks if it shows signs of decay.

 

What if I'm not satisfied with the dahlia tubers I received?

View our Refund & Return policy here.

 

How do I store my tubers until planting?

You can refer to our tuber care sheet here.

 

How do I plant and grow dahlias?

You can refer to our tuber care sheet here.

For a complete informational guide to growing, head to the shop to purchase our Dahlia Guide.



Ugly Tuber Hall of Fame

Ugly Tuber Hall of Fame