Santa Claus
Red and white streaks across every petal, never the same pattern twice.
Also known as: Santa Claus US

Mark Twyning / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Informal Decorative · 4–6"RedMiller (1983)United States
Red and white streak across every petal in a different pattern, so no two flowers on the same plant match. Long ruffled petals curl back and twist slightly, giving each bloom a feathery, pinwheel quality. Bred by Miller in 1983, it has been a go-to cutting variety for holiday arrangements and fall markets ever since. It was bred in United States by Miller in 1983.
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Specifications
Physical
- Form
- Informal Decorative
- Bloom class
- BB4–6"
- Bloom size
- 4–6"(10.2–15.2 cm)
- Plant height
- 36–48"
Color
- Color
- Red/White
- Pattern
- Bicolor
- Tags
- redwhitebicolorcandy canestripedholiday
Growing context
- Flowering season
- Mid season
- Cut flower
- ✓ Yes
- Exhibition
- ✓ Yes
- Stem length
- 20"
Provenance
- 1983
- United States
- Breeder
- Miller
Grower Profile
Difficulty
Ideal for
Growing Santa Claus
You get a mix of patterns across your plants, since the red-and-white break varies bloom to bloom. Pinch when shoots are still young to drive branching and more stems. Cut frequently through the season to keep flowers coming, and harvest when blooms are three-quarters open for the best holding power.
- Spacing
- Space roughly 2–3 ft apart
- Staking
- Stake early — stems carry heavy blooms and lean in wind
Frequently asked questions
How tall does Santa Claus dahlia grow?
Santa Claus reaches 36–48" at maturity, so plan to stake plants early to keep heavy blooms upright.
When does Santa Claus dahlia bloom?
Santa Claus is a midseason bloomer, in flower from midsummer through first frost.
Is Santa Claus dahlia good for cut flowers?
Yes — Santa Claus is well suited for cutting, with approximately 5-day vase life. Stems typically reach about 20″.
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