‘Cafe au Lait’ Dahlia
Best unique blooms for creating elegant garden displays.
The ‘Cafe au Lait’ Dahlia is a highly sought-after variety, celebrated for its massive 8–10 inch dinnerplate blooms. These stunning flowers display a captivating range of colors, from creamy champagne and pale pink to soft purple and buttercream. Growing to a mature height of 44-48 inches, this dahlia thrives in full to part sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. While technically a perennial, it is often grown as an annual in many climates. It's a must-have for creating spectacular late summer and fall bouquets, adding a touch of elegance and drama to any floral arrangement.
$11.50
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
730
/ 3259
#730 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-51%
Below average
Height
4448
/ - inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners and florists seeking high-impact, fashionable cut flowers.
- Home gardeners and small-scale growers interested in selling blooms.
- Enthusiastic gardeners ready for a moderately challenging, beautiful plant.
Who should skip it
- Novice gardeners or those preferring low-maintenance landscaping.
- Gardeners in cold climates without dedicated storage space.
- Gardeners who prefer pest-resistant plants or organic pest control methods.
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Massive dinnerplate blooms provide unmatched drama for any garden landscape.
Floral Arrangement Utility
A premier choice for professional-grade bouquets and striking cut flower displays.
Color Versatility
Sophisticated palette blends seamlessly into diverse garden color schemes.
Growth Effort
Requires seasonal tuber maintenance to ensure successful overwintering and return.
Wildlife Compatibility
Lacks natural deer resistance and does not actively attract pollinators.
Seasonal Longevity
Delivers reliable, high-impact color throughout the late summer and fall.
Key Specs
Height
44-48 inches
Bloom Color
pale pink, cream, champagne, light blushing pink, purple, buttercream
Lifecycle
perennial grown as an annual
Soil
Prefers moist well-drained soil.
Sun
Full to part sun.
Spacing
12 inches apart, 3-4 inches deep.
Overwintering
Dig tubers after the first frost, dry them off and store them in a well-ventilated cool (35–45°) dark dry place until replanting the next spring.
Mature Height
44 inches
Features
- Massive 8-10 inch dinnerplate blooms
- Unique color blends from cream to purple
- Excellent for cut flowers and bouquets
- Easy to grow for vibrant seasonal color
- Blooms in late summer and fall
- Perennial that can be grown as an annual
- Thrives in full to part sun
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the ‘Cafe au Lait’ Dahlia for its stunning, unique bloom color and impressive size, making it a garden showstopper. Its distinctive creamy blush petals evoke a sense of sophisticated elegance, frequently highlighted as a favorite for floral arrangements and special events. Gardeners appreciate its reliable performance, often yielding abundant, beautiful flowers that meet high expectations for visual appeal and quality. The plant’s consistent beauty and ability to elevate any garden space are frequently celebrated, cementing its status as a highly desirable variety.
Know before you buy
These are classified as dinnerplate dahlias, meaning they produce impressive, massive blooms measuring between 8 and 10 inches in diameter.
Yes, unless you live in a frost-free climate, you should dig up the tubers after the first frost. Clean and dry them, then store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space between 35–45°F until you are ready to replant in the spring.
For optimal growth and airflow, space your dahlia tubers 12 inches apart and plant them at a depth of 3 inches.
No, the 'Cafe au Lait' dahlia is not fragrant, nor is it specifically categorized as a pollinator-attracting plant. Its primary appeal is its dramatic size and unique color palette for floral arrangements.
Yes, these dahlias thrive in both full and partial sun conditions. Ensure they are planted in moist, well-drained soil to support their significant height of 44–48 inches.
No, 'Cafe au Lait' dahlias are not deer resistant. If you have deer in your area, you may need to use protective fencing or deterrents to keep them from eating the plants.
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$12