Why Divide?
Dividing perennials that need it every few years is a great way to keep your plants healthy, prevent overcrowding, and score some free plants along the way.
The plants you gain from division can be used to fill in gaps in your garden or can be given away to friends, family, or neighbors!
When to Divide
Spring and fall are the best times to divide. The process of splitting them up and replanting them can be stressful for plants. Cool, moist conditions help them recover from that stress.
Rule of thumb: divide spring-blooming plants in the fall and fall-blooming plants in the spring
Spring
- Hosta
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Aster
- Ornamental Grass
- Stonecrop
- Astilbe
- Bachelor's Buttons
- Bee Balm
- Blanket Flower
- Coreopsis
- Garden Mum
Fall
- Peony
- Daylily
- Oriental Poppy
- Siberian Iris
- Garden Phlox
- Bleeding Heart
- Veronica
- Blanket Flower
- Coneflower
It is important to make sure that your perennials are well-established before you decide to divide them.
Steps for Success
Step 1: Dig up the entire plant
Try to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible to avoid unnecessary damage and stress to the plant.
Step 2: Shake or brush off any excess soil
Step 3: Pry or cut apart individual plants
Most plants that can be divided will be easy to pull apart, but you may need to do a bit of cutting to separate them.
Step 4: Replant & Water
Replant a few plants into the original space and have fun deciding new places to put the rest. Plant as soon as possible so that the roots don't dry out.
Give your plants a good watering and cover surrounding area with mulch to retain moisture.
Step 5: Enjoy & Repeat
Enjoy watching your plants grow full and healthy! Repeat in 2-3 years for plants that quickly multiply and in 3-4 years for slower growers.