Dahlia Dahlia 'Small World' (Pom)
ABOUT
Dahlia 'Small World' (Pom) features a striking display of densely layered petals that charm onlookers with their intricate beauty. The blossoms present themselves in a charming ball shape, exuding a pristine white color that radiates pure elegance. These pompom-like flowers have a perfectly symmetrical form, with the petals arranged in a spiral pattern that graduates towards the center of the bloom. The petals are neatly arranged and have a somewhat tubular shape, curving inward at the tips, which contributes to the fluffy, rounded appearance of the flower heads. Blooms are generally robust and solid, offering a sense of fullness and texture that is deeply satisfying to the eye. The foliage of the Dahlia 'Small World' is comprised of rich green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the striking white flowers. The leaves are a supportive cast to the floral display, with their shape being broad and ovate, having a subtle serration along the edges. They grow along the stem in an alternating pattern, contributing both contrast and balance to the overall aesthetic of the plant. This variety of dahlia is particularly noted for its immaculate white flowers, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a monochromatic theme or seeking to add a touch of sophistication to their floral arrangements. The plant's ability to produce numerous blooms provides a bountiful and prolonged display that garden enthusiasts and passersby alike can adore throughout the flowering season.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Dahlia, Pompom Dahlia.
Common names
Dahlia 'Small World' (Pom)
ToxicityTo humans
Dahlias are not considered toxic to humans. They do not produce toxins that are harmful when touched or ingested, so there are typically no symptoms of poisoning associated with these plants. Consequently, ingesting dahlias should not lead to any adverse health consequences. However, as with any non-food plant, ingesting large quantities could potentially cause stomach discomfort simply due to the fact that the human digestive system is not adapted to processing large amounts of plant material that is not typically part of the diet.
To pets
Dahlias are generally considered to be safe for pets and are not known to be toxic to animals such as dogs and cats. They do not contain substances that are known to cause poisoning in pets. Therefore, if a pet were to ingest parts of a dahlia plant, it is unlikely to experience symptoms of poisoning. While no significant health consequences are expected, as with any non-food item, ingestion could potentially result in mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, simply due to the ingestion of non-digestible plant matter.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Dahlia 'Small World' offers stunning, pompon-like flowers that enhance the aesthetics of gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Long Blooming Season: Dahlia 'Small World' has a lengthy blooming period from midsummer to the first frost, providing long-lasting color and interest.
- Versatility: Suitable for garden beds, borders, and containers, allowing for various gardening designs and uses.
- Cut Flower: The blooms make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life for indoor arrangements and bouquets.
- Easy to Grow: Dahlias are known for being easy to care for, making them ideal for both experienced and novice gardeners.
- Variety of Colors: Dahlia 'Small World' may come in various colors, offering options for different color schemes in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dahlias like 'Small World' can be used in art and craft activities, such as pressing the flowers to create beautiful designs for bookmarks, cards, and framed artwork.
- These flowers can be used as natural dyes for fabrics, imparting subtle hues to silk or cotton materials for unique clothing and home textiles.
- 'Small World' dahlias can serve as educational tools in botany or horticulture classes, exemplifying plant breeding and hybridization techniques.
- Dahlia blooms can be floating decorations in water bowls or fountains, providing a touch of elegance to garden parties and outdoor events.
- With their symmetrical pattern, they inspire photographers and artists, who use them as subjects for practicing symmetry and color composition in visual arts.
- These dahlias can act as motivational symbols in workspaces due to their vibrant appearance, brightening office desks and reducing work stress.
- They can be used as a non-toxic color source for children’s play, like for making flower-based play dough or coloring rice for sensory bins.
- The geometric nature of the 'Small World' dahlia's petals can be used in mathematical studies to demonstrate natural occurrences of fractals and the Fibonacci sequence.
- Dahlias may inspire fashion designers' fabric patterns and prints, with the distinct shapes and colors of flowers reflected in clothing collections.
- They can be used in culinary presentations, as non-toxic decorative elements on plates or as adornments for dessert and drink displays at high-end restaurants.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Dahlia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Dahlia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance and Dignity: The intricate petals of the Dahlia reflect a sense of sophistication and grace.
- Change and Variety: Dahlias come in many varieties and colors, symbolizing diversity and embracing change.
- Commitment and Bonding: Because Dahlias are complex flowers, they often represent strong emotional bonds and a commitment to an idea or person.
- Inner Strength: Dahlias are sturdy flowers that can bloom in challenging environments, symbolizing resilience and inner strength.
- Creativity: The exceptional patterns and vivid colors of the Dahlia inspire a sense of creativity and artistic expression.
WaterDahlias should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions, with more frequent watering during dry spells. Generally, a dahlia plant requires about 1 to 2 gallons of water each week. Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of disease. It's important to avoid overwatering, as dahlias do not like soggy soil. During the growing season, consistent moisture is key, but allow the soil to dry out between watering to encourage strong root development.
LightDahlias thrive in full sunlight, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day for best growth and flower production. The ideal spot for a Dahlia 'Small World' plant is in an area where it receives plenty of morning sunlight and some protection from the intense afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates.
TemperatureDahlias prefer a temperature range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can survive a temporary dip down to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are not frost-tolerant and will not survive temperatures below the freezing point. The ideal temperature conditions for Dahlias are warm and consistent, without extreme fluctuations.
PruningPruning dahlias is important for maintaining plant health and encouraging the production of large, vibrant blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut back the stems to about 4 to 6 inches when the plants die back after the first frost. The best time for pruning dahlias is early in the growing season to encourage bushy growth, and again as flowers fade.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDahlia 'Small World,' commonly known as Small World Dahlia, thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0. A good potting mix for dahlias is 2 parts peat moss or coir, 1 part garden loam, and 1 part perlite or coarse sand. Include compost or well-rotted manure for added nutrients.
RepottingSmall World Dahlias typically need to be repotted every 1 to 2 years. They require to be repotted to replenish the soil nutrients and to accommodate the growing tuber. Repot in the Spring when you start to see new growth.
Humidity & MistingSmall World Dahlias do best in moderate humidity levels. They thrive in outdoor conditions where humidity naturally fluctuates. For healthy growth, maintaining a humidity level around 40-60% is ideal.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and consistent moisture.
Outdoor
Full sun, sheltered position, and fertile soil.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA.
Life cycleThe Pompon Dahlia 'Small World' begins its life cycle when a tuber is planted in the ground after the last frost of spring, where it germinates and sprouts to form initial leaves. As temperatures warm, it enters a phase of rapid vegetative growth, producing a sturdy stem and a bushy foliage of complex, deeply cut leaves. Following this, the Dahlia enters its blooming stage in early summer, producing its characteristic spherical, miniature, tightly-balled white flowers that attract pollinators. After blooming, if conditions permit, it may undergo further cycles of growth and flowering until the onset of cooler autumn temperatures. As fall progresses, the Dahlia 'Small World' enters a dormancy stage, where the top growth dies back with the first frost and the plant's energy is conserved in its underground tuber. To complete its life cycle, the tuber can be lifted and stored during winter to be replanted the next spring, or left in the ground in warmer zones where it can survive and resprout when the conditions become favorable again.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
The most popular method of propagating Dahlia 'Small World' (Pom), a variety known for its small, ball-shaped flowers, is through division of the tubers, which is ideally done in the spring. When the tubers begin to sprout and you can see the eyes, or growth points, you can divide the clump with a sharp knife, ensuring that each division has at least one eye. The cut surfaces should be allowed to dry and callous over for a day or two to prevent rotting. These cuttings can then be planted about 6 inches deep (about 15 centimeters) in well-draining soil, spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) to give each plant enough room to grow. This method not only helps to propagate the dahlia but also revitalizes older clumps that may have become too dense, thereby supporting the overall health and vigor of the plants.
