Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ | Cream Dinnerplate Dahlia Tuber

Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ is one of the most sought-after dahlias, grown for its huge, soft-toned blooms in shades of cream, blush pink, beige, coffee, soft peach and pale lemon. Its romantic colouring and large decorative flower form make it a favourite for garden beds, wedding flowers, bouquets and cut-flower arrangements.

This upright dahlia flowers from summer through autumn, producing repeat blooms when regularly picked or deadheaded. It is ideal for gardeners wanting a premium feature dahlia with soft, elegant colour and strong vase appeal.

Supplied as a dormant dahlia tuber.

Stock Note

NOTE: This is a pre-order.

Stock is expected to be ready around the end of July, however this may push into August depending on seasonal conditions and supplier availability.

Image shown is an example picture only. Flower colour, size and form may vary slightly depending on growing conditions and seasonal availability.

If there are any supply issues, we will contact you regarding substitution options.

Any items you do not wish to have substituted will be refunded.

Features

• Large decorative to dinnerplate-style dahlia
• Cream, blush, beige, coffee and soft peach tones
• Highly popular cut-flower variety
• Large blooms, often around 20cm across under good conditions
• Flowers from summer through autumn
• Upright growth habit
• Suitable for beds, borders, feature planting and large pots
• Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil
• Supplied as a dormant tuber

Plant Size Note

Supplied as a dormant dahlia tuber.

Tubers may arrive with no visible shoots or leaves. This is normal while dormant.

Tuber size, shape and eye development may vary naturally. Flowering time, height, colour and bloom size will depend on planting time, climate, soil, water, fertilising and care.

Flower Colour and Form

‘Café au Lait’ produces large creamy decorative blooms with variable tones of blush pink, beige, coffee, pale peach, ivory and soft lemon.

This variety is known for colour variation. Some flowers may open warmer and coffee-toned, while others may appear paler cream or pink-blushed depending on temperature, light and flower maturity.

Growth Habit and Mature Size

‘Café au Lait’ forms an upright, bushy plant with tall flowering stems.

Mature Height: Approximately 1.2–1.5m
Mature Width: Approximately 60–90cm
Flower Size: Large, often around 20cm across under suitable conditions

Staking is recommended, especially in windy areas or where plants are grown in rich soil.

Planting and Care

Plant dahlia tubers after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has started to warm.

Choose a full sun position with fertile, well-drained soil. In very hot areas, light afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress.

Plant the tuber horizontally with the eye or growing point facing upward. Cover with approximately 5–10cm of soil.

Water lightly after planting, then avoid keeping the dormant tuber too wet before active growth begins. Once shoots are growing, water more regularly.

Soil, Watering and Feeding

Dahlias prefer rich, well-drained soil improved with compost or aged organic matter.

Water regularly during active growth, especially once buds and flowers are forming. Avoid waterlogged soil, as dormant tubers may rot if kept too wet.

Feed during active growth with a balanced fertiliser or flower-focused fertiliser. Avoid excessive high-nitrogen feeding, which may encourage leafy growth over flowers.

Flowering Season

Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ flowers from summer through autumn.

Regular picking and deadheading encourages continued flowering through the season.

Climate and Hardiness

Dahlias grow well in many Australian climates when planted after frost risk has passed.

They are frost tender. In frost-prone areas, tubers are usually lifted and stored after the foliage dies back. In mild and frost-free climates, tubers may be left in the ground if drainage is excellent.

Protect young shoots from frost, snails and slugs.

Growing in Pots

‘Café au Lait’ can be grown in a large pot, but it needs room, support and regular watering.

Use a quality potting mix, choose a container with excellent drainage and stake the plant early to avoid damaging the tuber later.

Pet Safety

Dahlias are toxic to pets if eaten and may cause irritation or digestive upset.

Keep tubers, leaves, flowers and trimmed material away from dogs, cats and other pets that chew plants.

Product Details

Plant Name: Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’
Botanical Name: Dahlia hybrid ‘Café au Lait’
Common Name: Café au Lait Dahlia
Plant Type: Flowering tuber
Supplied As: Dormant dahlia tuber
Flower Colour: Cream, blush pink, beige, coffee, soft peach and pale lemon tones
Flower Form: Large decorative to dinnerplate-style dahlia
Mature Height: Approximately 1.2–1.5m
Mature Width: Approximately 60–90cm
Flowering Season: Summer to autumn
Sunlight: Full sun; light afternoon shade in very hot areas
Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Watering: Regular moisture during active growth
Frost Tolerance: Frost tender
Uses: Garden beds, borders, feature planting, large pots, weddings and cut flowers
Pet Safety: Toxic to pets if eaten
Shipping Restrictions: State, territory and regional biosecurity restrictions may apply

Important Note

Images show mature flowering plants and are examples only.

You will receive a dormant dahlia tuber, not a plant in flower.

‘Café au Lait’ is naturally variable in colour. Flower colour, bloom size, height and flowering performance may vary depending on climate, soil, planting time and seasonal conditions.

Biosecurity and Shipping

State, territory and regional biosecurity restrictions may apply to dahlia tubers and live plant material.

Please check whether this item can be sent to your delivery address before ordering.

Orders placed for restricted destinations may need to be cancelled and refunded.

FAQ

What will I receive?
You will receive one dormant Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ tuber.

Will it arrive in flower?
No. It is supplied as a dormant tuber and will need to be planted and grown on.

What colour are the flowers?
The flowers vary from cream and beige to blush pink, coffee, peach and pale lemon tones.

How tall does it grow?
Approximately 1.2–1.5m, depending on climate and growing conditions.

When does it flower?
Dahlias usually flower from summer through autumn.

Does it need staking?
Yes, staking is recommended because the plant is tall and produces large blooms.

Can it grow in pots?
Yes, use a large pot with good drainage and provide support early.

Is it good as a cut flower?
Yes. ‘Café au Lait’ is one of the best-known dahlias for bouquets and cut-flower arrangements.

Is it pet-safe?
No. Dahlias are toxic to pets if eaten.