Dahlia Cactus – Ma Jolie

Cactus Dahlia | Vivid Deep Red

Dahlia ‘Ma Jolie’ is a dazzling cactus variety, treasured for its vivid deep red blooms with slender, spiky petals that form a striking starburst shape. Its intense colouring and bold flower form make it a standout in garden borders, while its long, elegant stems ensure it shines as a cut flower in dramatic arrangements.

Tuber Count: 1
Plant Height: 90–120 cm
Plant Type: Tender perennial
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Blooms: Summer to First Frost
Plant Spacing: 60 cm
Plant Staking: Yes, due to tall stems and large blooms

Dahlias are shipped as single tubers with a minimum of one eye guaranteed. If you’re not ready to plant upon arrival, store tubers in a cool, dry, dark place until planting time.

Planting Information:

Plant dahlias after the last spring frost, once soil temperatures reach 15 °C. Choose a rich, well-drained flower bed or large planter. Loosen the soil to a depth of 30 cm and enrich with compost and all-purpose granular fertiliser. Plant the tuber with the eye or sprout facing upwards, positioning the top of the tuber 8 cm below the soil surface. Fill in around the tuber, press the soil down firmly, and water well to eliminate air pockets. Ensure containers have sufficient drainage.

Tips for Growing Dahlias:

• Avoid overwatering newly planted tubers—this can cause rot. Water once at planting, then wait until shoots appear before watering again.

• Water at the base and keep foliage dry to minimise disease. Deep water once or twice a week, allowing the top 2.5 cm of soil to dry out between waterings.

• Feed with organic, water-soluble fertiliser every 3–4 weeks until March. Stop fertilising thereafter to encourage better tuber overwintering.

• Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. Snip just above a leaf node using clean garden scissors.

• Cutting long stems for arrangements encourages bushier growth and more blooms.

• Dahlias do not reliably grow from seed—preserve and multiply your favourite varieties by caring for your tubers.

• In most parts of South Africa, tubers can remain in the ground over winter and will resprout the following spring. In colder areas, lift and store after the first frost.