Flower Gardening

Growing Chrysanthemum, Gerbera and Dahlia from Seed in Pakistan

9 min read
Growing Chrysanthemum, Gerbera and Dahlia from Seed in Pakistan

Chrysanthemums, gerberas and dahlias are three of the most loved flowers in Pakistani gardens and flower markets. Most gardeners buy them as nursery plants or tubers, but growing them from seed is cheaper, gives you many more plants, and is very satisfying. Seed-grown plants also tend to be vigorous and well adapted to your own garden. Each of the three has its own needs: gerbera needs warmth and patience to germinate, dahlias grow fast and flower in their first season, and our chrysanthemums are daisy-type varieties that are much easier from seed than florist mums. This guide explains how to grow all three.

Table of Contents

The Varieties in Our Range

Variety Type Height Flowers from seed in Highlights
Chrysanthemum Tricolour Mix (C. carinatum) Annual 45–60 cm 10–12 weeks Painted daisies with rings of red, yellow, orange and white; fast and easy
Chrysanthemum Alaska White (Leucanthemum maximum) Perennial (Shasta daisy) 60–75 cm 4–5 months Classic pure white daisies with golden centres; excellent cut flower
Gerbera Double Mix F1 Perennial 30–45 cm 4–5 months Large 3–4 inch double blooms in red, pink, yellow, orange and white
Dahlia Unwins Bedding Mix Tender perennial grown as annual About 60 cm 3–4 months Compact bedding dahlias in mixed colours; forms tubers you can keep

A note on chrysanthemums: the large, pompom "guldaudi" chrysanthemums sold at autumn flower shows are grown from cuttings, not seed. The daisy-type chrysanthemums in our range are bred to grow true and flower reliably from seed.

Sowing Calendar for Pakistan

Flower Plains: autumn sowing Plains: spring sowing Hills Flowering (plains, autumn-sown)
Chrysanthemum Tricolour October–November — March–April February–April
Chrysanthemum Alaska October–November February–March March–April March–May, then yearly
Gerbera September–October (warm spot) February–March April–May February–April, and again in autumn
Dahlia September–November February (short season) March–April January–April

In the plains, dahlias are a winter-to-spring flower: sow them in autumn so they flower in the mild sunshine of January to April, before the summer heat. In the hills, they flower through summer and autumn.

Seed-Starting Mix and Trays

All three are best started in trays or small pots and transplanted. This gives you control over warmth and moisture and protects the young seedlings.

  • Mix: 60% coco peat, 20% vermicompost and 20% perlite. It is light, clean and drains well, which prevents damping-off disease.
  • Containers: use seedling trays with drainage holes, or small 3–4 inch pots.
  • Watering: mist the surface or water from below by standing the tray in a shallow dish of water for 10–15 minutes.

For a full step-by-step method, see our guide on starting seeds indoors in Pakistan.

How to Grow Chrysanthemums from Seed

Sowing

  1. Sprinkle seeds on the surface of the mix and cover with a very thin layer (2–3 mm) of fine coco peat.
  2. Keep at 18–24°C in bright, indirect light. Seeds germinate in 7–14 days.
  3. Tricolour chrysanthemums can also be sown directly in beds, 5 mm deep, and thinned later.

Growing on

  • Transplant seedlings when they have 4–6 leaves, 25–30 cm apart in sunny beds, or one plant per 8–10 inch pot.
  • Pinch: when plants are 15 cm tall, pinch out the growing tip. This makes them bushier with many more flowers.
  • Stake taller Alaska plants in windy spots.
  • Cut flowers regularly or deadhead to keep them coming.

Alaska as a perennial

Alaska is a long-lived perennial. In the plains, it may struggle in the peak heat of June; give it some afternoon shade and moderate watering through summer. Cut it back after flowering, and divide clumps every 2–3 years in autumn to keep them vigorous.

How to Grow Gerbera from Seed

Gerbera is the most challenging of the three from seed, but very rewarding. Our Gerbera Double Mix F1 Hybrid produces uniform, vigorous plants with large double blooms that are perfect for cut flowers.

Sowing

  1. Use fresh seed: gerbera seed loses viability faster than most. Sow soon after you receive it.
  2. Warmth is essential: gerbera needs 20–25°C to germinate. In November, start trays indoors in a warm room or on top of a fridge or router, not on a cold balcony.
  3. Sowing position: lay seeds on the surface, or insert them vertically with the fluffy end just showing above the mix. Cover very lightly or not at all; they need light.
  4. Keep evenly moist, not wet. Seedlings usually appear in 7–15 days.

Growing on

  • Move seedlings to individual 3–4 inch pots when they have 3–4 true leaves.
  • Transplant into 8–10 inch pots or beds after 6–8 weeks. Keep the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) slightly above the soil. A buried crown is the main cause of gerbera rot.
  • Give full morning sun and light afternoon shade, especially from March onward.
  • Water at the edge of the pot, not into the crown, and let the top 2–3 cm dry between waterings.
  • Gerberas are perennial. Protect them from frost in December and January by moving pots under a shed or covering them overnight, and give shade in the peak of summer. Healthy plants flower again in autumn.

How to Grow Dahlias from Seed

Dahlia Unwins Bedding Mix is a compact, free-flowering type bred to flower in its first season from seed. Each plant gives a different colour and flower shape, from single to semi-double.

Sowing

  1. Sow seeds 5 mm deep in trays or small pots.
  2. Keep at 18–25°C. Seeds germinate quickly, in 5–10 days.
  3. Pot on into 4-inch pots when seedlings have their first true leaves.

Growing on

  • Plant out after 4–6 weeks, 30–40 cm apart in full sun, or one plant per 10–12 inch pot.
  • Pinch the tip when plants have 3–4 pairs of leaves to encourage bushy, branching growth.
  • Dahlias are frost-tender. On very cold nights in December and January, cover plants with a light cloth or move pots to a sheltered spot.
  • Deadhead faded flowers regularly; this is the single best way to keep dahlias blooming for months.

Keeping the tubers

Seed-grown dahlias form small tubers by the end of the season. When the plants die back in late spring, lift the tubers, let them dry for a few days, and store them in dry coco peat or sawdust in a cool, shaded place. Replant in September or October for an earlier, larger display. Note your favourite colours before lifting, as each seedling is unique.

Feeding for More Flowers

  • At planting: mix compost or vermicompost into the soil, plus a tablespoon of bone meal per pot for strong roots.
  • Growing stage: 3–4 weeks after transplanting, feed every 15 days with a balanced fertilizer such as NPK 19:19:19.
  • Bud and flowering stage: switch to Rose 'n Flowers Bloom Booster every 15–20 days for more and bigger blooms.
  • Slow-release option: in pots, a teaspoon of Osmocote Plus at planting feeds steadily for months.
  • Yellow leaves with green veins: this often means a micronutrient shortage in alkaline soil; a spray of Grow Magic micronutrients helps.

For exact doses, see our Rose 'n Flowers guide and NPK fertilizer guide.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem Likely cause Fix
Seedlings collapse at soil level Damping-off from wet, cold mix Use a clean, airy seed mix; water from below; improve airflow
Gerbera seeds do not germinate Too cold, or old seed Keep trays at 20–25°C indoors; sow fresh seed
Gerbera crown rots Crown planted too deep or watered into Replant with crown above soil; water at the pot edge
Tall, leggy plants with few flowers Too little sun, too much nitrogen, no pinching Move to full sun, switch to a bloom feed, pinch tips
White powder on leaves Powdery mildew Improve spacing and airflow; avoid wetting leaves; remove affected leaves
Curled leaves, sticky shoots Aphids Spray off with water; wipe with mild soapy water

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Best Practices and Common Mistakes

Best practices

  • Start seeds in a clean, light mix in trays and transplant when sturdy.
  • Give gerbera seeds warmth: start them indoors in cool months.
  • Pinch chrysanthemums and dahlias early for bushier plants.
  • Deadhead regularly to extend flowering.
  • Switch to a bloom booster once buds appear.

Common mistakes

  • Burying gerbera crowns: this leads to crown rot and plant loss.
  • Sowing dahlias in summer in the plains: plants struggle in the heat; autumn sowing is far better.
  • Overwatering seedlings: this causes damping-off.
  • Expecting florist mums from seed: pompom chrysanthemums are grown from cuttings; seed varieties are daisy-type.
  • Too much nitrogen: this gives big leaves and few flowers.

FAQs

Can I sow gerbera seeds in November?

Yes, if you can keep the trays at 20–25°C indoors. In a cold room or outside, germination will be slow or fail. Otherwise, wait for February to March.

How long does it take dahlias to flower from seed?

Bedding dahlias usually flower 3–4 months after sowing. Seeds sown in October typically flower from January or February in the plains.

Will my seed-grown gerberas and dahlias come back next year?

Gerberas are perennials and can flower for several years if protected from frost, waterlogging and extreme heat. Dahlias form tubers that you can lift, store over summer and replant in autumn.

Why are my chrysanthemums tall and thin?

They need full sun and an early pinch. Pinch the tip at 15 cm and again on side shoots a few weeks later to get compact, bushy plants.

Are these good for cut flowers?

Yes, all three are excellent cut flowers. Cut gerberas when the outer two rings of tiny florets in the centre have opened, dahlias when fully open, and chrysanthemums when the flowers are about three-quarters open.

Conclusion

Growing chrysanthemum, gerbera and dahlia from seed gives you dozens of plants for the price of a few nursery pots. Start them in a light seed mix, give gerbera extra warmth, pinch for bushy plants, transplant into sunny, well-drained beds or pots and feed with a bloom booster once buds form. With regular deadheading, all three will keep your garden colourful for months. For more ideas, see our guide to growing winter flowers in Pakistan.

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