When to Plant Dahlia in Gainesville, Florida (32607)

Location

Gainesville, Florida

ZIP Code

32607

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, February 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, January 9, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, February 27, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, February 20, 2026 · Zone 9a

Pro tip: Start Dahlia seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, February 27, 2026.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Dahlia pinnata

Days to Maturity 90 days

Mature Height 18-60"

Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

4" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Dahlia in Gainesville?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, January 9, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

MarigoldBasilCosmos

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Dahlia

See which plants help Dahlia thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

⚠️ Many varieties are F1 hybrid — look for OP/heirloom types

When to Harvest Seed

Allow seed pods (behind the flower) to dry on the plant in fall.

Processing

Remove dried seed pods, extract flat seeds, dry 1 week in an open envelope.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Dahlia seeds do not grow true to the parent — each seedling is a unique hybrid. Propagate named varieties by tuber division.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Dahlia. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Dahlia in Gainesville, Florida? +

In Gainesville (Zone 9a), start Dahlia seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, February 27, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Gainesville, Florida? +

The average last spring frost date for Gainesville, Florida (ZIP 32607) is around Friday, February 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9a.

How long does Dahlia take to grow? +

Dahlia typically matures in about 90 days from transplanting. In Gainesville, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, February 27, 2026 plus 90 days.

Should I start Dahlia indoors or direct sow in Florida? +

Dahlia should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Gainesville, that means starting around Friday, January 9, 2026.

📚 More Dahlia Planting Guides

🗺️

Dahlia in Florida

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9a Dahlia Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Gainesville

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Dahlia in Zone 9a

Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata) is a popular garden vegetable. In Gainesville, Florida, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, February 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Dahlia seedlings outdoors around Friday, February 27, 2026, about 1 weeks after your last frost date.