🌤 Can Dahlias Grow in Shade?

(Yes... but it's complicated.)

Dahlias have some specific needs... they want sunshine, space, and a little attention. But what if you live in the South, where it gets freakin' hot? Or what if your garden isn’t full sun? Can they grow in shade? What kind of shade is okay? And what is shade cloth?

Let’s unpack it all. No fluff, just the facts.

I have extensive experience growing dahlias in various climates. It is worth noting that I'm doing this in Tennessee, and outcomes may differ significantly in other climates. 

Dahlias in Full Sun: Living Their Best Life (Sometimes)

Let’s start with the obvious: Dahlias love full sun. That means 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In full sun, dahlias will:

• Produce more blooms

• Grow sturdy stems

• Develop better tubers for digging and storing

If you’ve got a bright, open space with all-day sun, go for it — that’s where dahlias perform their absolute best. At my place, I’ve only got one row that gets more than 7 hours of direct sun. In July, those plants are lit up from sunrise until around 3 p.m., when the sun finally ducks behind the trees and they get a bit of dappled shade (and honestly, they seem grateful for it).

When the temps hit 90°F or higher, I overhead water all my dahlias midday to cool them down no matter how much shade they’re getting. But full-sun plants, especially in the South, can really struggle without some heat management. So yes, dahlias love sun, but in hot zones? A little afternoon break and a splash of water go a long way.

Partial Shade: Not a Death Sentence, But…

Partial shade = 2–4 hours of direct sunlight per day, usually in the morning or late afternoon.

Your dahlias will still grow, but:

• They may stretch taller to chase the light

• You might have fewer and possibly smaller blooms

• Colors may be different (but this has been pretty exciting for me)

• Tuber production may take a hit

Partial Shade Can Still Produce — With the Right Care

In my own garden, I've found that even the dahlias growing in partial shade can still bloom like champs if I stay on top of their care. I give them a little extra attention: I strip the lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce the risk of pests.

But shade does bring its own issues, especially with thrips.

Shaded spots with low airflow don’t dry out as quickly. And if you're overhead watering to cool your plants during hot weather (like I do), you’re adding humidity to an already damp environment. That combo... shade + moisture + poor airflow..  is a thrip resort spa.

So if you’re growing in partial shade:

• Improve airflow by thinning leaves

• Avoid soggy conditions by watering earlier in the day

• Monitor for thrips and act early with organic sprays or insecticidal soap if needed

The key takeaway? Partial shade can work — just be ready to work a little more.

🍃 Dappled Shade: The Filtered Light Option

Dappled shade (also known as filtered shade) is light that comes and goes, similar to what you get under a tree canopy or pergola.

For dahlias, this can be workable if the spot is still bright overall. Bonus: Dappled shade can actually protect your blooms from frying in intense afternoon sun.

Some varieties even tolerate it better than others (more on that below 👇).

Full Shade: Sorry, Not Gonna Work

Full shade = less than 2 hours of direct sunlight per day, and this is where we draw the line.

In full shade, dahlias will:

• Grow leggy and weak

• Produce very few blooms (if any)

• Fail to produce decent tubers

It’s just not worth the heartbreak. Save those spots for shade-loving plants, such as ferns, hostas, or hydrangeas. 

So What’s Shade Cloth Then?

Shade cloth is a fabric that filters sunlight and protects plants from overheating — think of it like a wide-brimmed hat for your dahlias.

You can choose different shade percentages depending on how much light you want to block:

Why Use It?

• You control the amount of light

• Helps prevent blooms from scorching

• Allows air and water through (unlike a tarp or umbrella)

• Works great in hot climates when full sun becomes too much sun

How It’s Different Than Natural Shade:

Shade-Tolerant Dahlia Varieties

As a general rule, dahlias with a smaller bloom circumference do better in lower light. If you want to grow the huge AA-sized blooms (AKA dinnerplate types), these are going to need 6+ hours per day. Collarettes, pompons, anemones, small formal decorative elements, and informal decorative forms are a few examples of what I would try first.

Shade Changes More Than Just Sunlight

If you grow dahlias in shade, other things shift too:

• Bloom Color: Less sun = more muted colors (sometimes blushes don't blush and they stay creamy instead)

• Pest Pressure: Shade can invite slugs and aphids

• Growth Habit: Taller, leggier, weaker stems (adjust your feeding)

• Tuber Production: Fewer and/or smaller tubers (this varies by variety, but half shade generally produces about half the tubers)

The picture below is Dahlia Ice Tea grown in full sun.

Here is another picture of Dahlia Ice Tea grown in full sun.

Lastly, I'm including a picture of Dahlia Ice Tea grown in partial shade. In my opinion, this was an upgrade!

TL;DR

• Dahlias love sun — give them as much as you can unless live in the South

• They can handle partial or dappled shade, especially if you live in the South

• Shade cloth is your MVP if full sun is frying your flowers

• Don’t bother with full shade — they just won’t thrive

Thinking about planting dahlias in a tricky spot? Want help picking a variety that’ll tolerate your conditions? Shoot us a message! We’re here to help you grow smarter, not harder.