x
Agapanthus flowering pixabay
Dividing perennial plants can help keep them healthier for longer and let you enjoy new plants. Follow our step-by-step guide.

Helpful information

Timing: Varies by plant, most often done in spring or autumn

Where to do it: Outdoors

Garden space: Large garden, small garden

  • Dividing plants can offer quite a physical workout, strengthening muscles and burning calories
  • Discovering how to divide specific plants can give a sense of achievement as part of life-long learning
  • You gain new plants, which you can enjoy in your garden or share with friends and family
Hostas and ferns pixabay
Hostas and ferns in a garden

In gardening, dividing means taking a plant and splitting it into smaller sections.

It is mainly perennial plants that are divided. Perennials are plants that live for more than one growing season. Bigger plants, like shrubs, are usually propagated by taking cuttings instead, e.g. softwood cuttings. You can also divide the tubers of some plants, like dahlias.

Why divide perennials

There are a number of reasons why it’s a good idea to divide perennial plants. These include:

  • To avoid overcrowding. Your perennials may become crowded as they grow. By giving them more space, they are likely to get more nutrients and improved flow of air around them. This can help support their growth
  • To increase your supply of plants. Division is a great form of propagation. You can replant your divided plants somewhere else in your garden, or share them with others
  • To control plants. Some perennials can spread a little too vigorously. Dividing them can keep them in check
  • To rejuvenate. As your perennials age, they can start producing less flowers. Division can help encourage them to develop more roots, shoots and flowers

Which plants to divide

There are lots of perennial plants that are suitable for dividing. These are some of the most frequently done:

  • Agapanthus
  • Hostas
  • Peonies
  • Iris
  • Hellebores
  • Heuchera
  • Ferns

When to divide perennials

The best time for plant division can vary by plant. But, in general, the main times to divide perennials are:

  • Early spring. The plant is divided before it puts on new growth. This way, it can re-root and grow through the summer. Examples of this are hostas and agapanthus.
  • Late summer into autumn. For some perennials, it’s better to wait until after they have finished flowering before dividing them. Examples of this are irises and peonies

Top tip

It’s always a good idea to look up your specific plant to check if it's happy being divided and the best time to do it.

Essential tools

  • Watering can or hose
  • Garden fork or spade

Optional tools

  • Plastic sheet
  • Second garden fork or hand fork to split the plant
  • Cutting tool to split the plant e.g. spade, knife
  • Pots and compost if potting on any roots

Follow these steps to divide your perennial plants with ease.

Step 1: Water well in advance

If the soil is dry, it can be hard to divide and lift your plant. Water the soil around it daily for several days before dividing. This will make it easier to do.

Make it easier

You may find a lightweight watering can with flat sides easier to manage than a round one. If you use a hose, some people find an expandable lightweight hose easier to use.

Step 2: Gather your equipment

Once you are ready to divide your perennial, gather all the equipment you need where you will be working. This will save multiple journeys.

Step 3: Dig around the plant

Using a garden fork or spade, dig all the way around and under the plant. You may need to go both wide and deep to avoid cutting the roots.

Gently lift the plant, leaving the soil around the roots. If you have a plastic sheet, you may want to put the plant on this ahead of dividing it.

Make it easier

Digging can be quick a vigorous task. Some people find lightweight border spades easier to use than a heavier digging spade.

If a plant is too big to manage, then ask for help.

Step 4: Divide the plant into smaller sections

How you do this next step will depend on the size and roots of your plant.

Top tip

Smaller divisions will generally take longer to recover and reach flowering size.

If your plant has large, fibrous roots, you could use the two-fork approach. Insert two garden forks back-to-back in the centre of the plant. Push the handles apart to split the clump. Push on the metal section of the tool to avoid breaking the wooden handles.

Some plants, like heuchera and hosta, have smaller fibrous roots. They are generally too fragile for the two forks technique. You can gently tease these apart using one fork or a hand fork.

Some plants with woody or fleshy roots may need to be carefully cut using a spade or knife.

Make it easier

There is a slower method of division that may be easier than using two garden forks. Use a hand trowel to remove soil from roots a bit at a time. When the roots are exposed, use secateurs or loppers to cut the roots. Continue to the next section of roots until the plant is divided.

Step 5: Re-plant or pot up the divided plant

Your big perennial plant will now be in two or more pieces.

You could now re-plant the smaller sections directly into the ground in your garden. Dig a hole for each section that is roughly as deep as the one it came out of. Spread the roots out a little, place in the soil and backfill with compost.

Or, you could move the sections into individual pots. You will need pots and compost for this. You could then gift your potted perennials to others.

Keep your newly divided plants well watered. This will help them settle in their new spot.

Help us continue to make gardening accessible for all. Make a donation to Thrive today. Thank you.

Make a donation

Sign up to receive gardening inspiration and tips to get the most out of your own gardening space, and improve your health and wellbeing at the same time