Dahlia Cafe au Lait
Dahlia hybrid 'Cafe au Lait'
The queen of dinner plate dahlias, producing enormous 10-12 inch blooms in soft cream and blush tones that create stunning focal points in any garden. This award-winning variety is prized by florists and gardeners alike for its massive size, elegant color, and strong stems perfect for cutting. A true showstopper that transforms any garden space into a dramatic display.
Harvest
90-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
DAHL-ee-a
Zones
7–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Dahlia Cafe au Lait in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Dahlia Cafe au Lait · Zones 7–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: DAHL-ee-a. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Propagation: Division, Root Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Were grown as a food crop by Aztecs, but the practice has died out.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Cafe au Lait blooms last 5-7 days in arrangements when properly conditioned. Store cut stems in cool water (65-70°F) in a cool location away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Recut stems every 2-3 days and change water completely to maximize longevity.
For preservation, air-dry smaller blooms by hanging stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. The massive dinner plate blooms are too large and moisture-rich for successful air drying. Instead, use silica gel drying by burying blooms face-up in silica crystals for 5-7 days.
Press individual petals between absorbent paper for craft projects, though the thick, fleshy petals take 3-4 weeks to fully dry. Freeze-drying produces the best results for preserving these spectacular blooms, maintaining both size and color integrity.
History & Origin
Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait' emerged from the Dutch breeding program of Verwer Dahlias in the 1980s, developed by renowned dahlia breeder Cor Verwer. This variety quickly gained international recognition, earning the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and becoming a cornerstone of the dinner plate dahlia category.
Verwer specifically bred this cultivar to combine massive bloom size with reliable performance and elegant color—a challenging combination that had previously eluded dahlia breeders. The variety's name perfectly captures its distinctive cream and blush coloration, reminiscent of the popular French coffee drink.
Since its introduction, Cafe au Lait has become the gold standard for exhibition dahlias and remains one of the most requested varieties among florists and garden designers. Its success sparked renewed interest in giant dahlia breeding and inspired countless hybrid offspring, though few have matched the original's perfect balance of size, beauty, and garden performance.
Advantages
- +Attracts: In Zone 7 harvest tuberous roots in fall, dry carefully (do not wash), and store in vermiculite or dry sand at 35-45 degrees F. In Zone 8, just mulch.
- +Wildlife value: attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
- +Edible: Were grown as a food crop by Aztecs, but the practice has died out.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel aphids, spider mites, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting dahlias
Zinnias
Attract pollinators and beneficial predatory insects while providing similar growing conditions
Cosmos
Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary bloom times and heights
Salvia
Deters pests with aromatic oils and attracts pollinators
Celosia
Similar water and sun requirements, attracts beneficial insects
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps that control aphids
Sunflowers
Provide beneficial insects habitat and can offer some wind protection
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone toxin that inhibits dahlia growth and can cause wilting
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants
Mint
Aggressive spreading roots compete for nutrients and water, can overtake dahlia beds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common dahlia diseases when grown in proper conditions
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, thrips, dahlia borer, earwigs
Diseases
Powdery mildew, botrytis, bacterial soft rot, crown gall