This basic upkeep task promotes fresh growth and robust flowering.
Plant division involves splitting a single plant into several separate plants. Gardeners perform this task to accomplish one of three primary objectives: revitalizing aged and/or crowded plants, creating new plants (through propagation), and managing the size of existing plants. Not allperennials respond
Regarding division, it’s important to understand which plants gain from regular division, the optimal time to divide various plant types, and how frequently this should be done.
The optimal time to divide flowering perennials that bloom in the spring or summer is typically during the fall, whenfall-blooming perennialsshould be split in early spring, as the initial shoots begin to appear. Most perennial plants require division every three to five years, although the frequency can differ depending on the type. Watch for indicators that a plant needs to be divided. These might involve decreased flowering, weak stem growth, or thinning leaves. Manyornamental grassescreate a hollow or lifeless area in the plant’s center, which shows they should be split. Some other plants might require division because they have grown too large for their designated space in the garden and are encroaching on nearby plants.
A small amount of planning helps keep plants in good condition when they are divided and replanted. Water plants thoroughly a day or two before you plan to dig them up. If you’re going to plant some of the divisions in a different part of the garden, make sure to get the new planting area ready before you start digging and dividing the plants. Maintain moisture around the roots while they wait to be planted, and water the plants well after they have been replanted. Apply mulch to help the soil retain moisture as the roots adjust.
01 of 14
Summer Phlox
- Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata
- Sun Exposure:Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type: Medium, well-draining, average fertility
- Soil pH:Slightly acidic through to slightly alkaline (6.0-8.0)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Blossoms in white, pink, purple, blue, and red colors, summer phlox offers scented flowers during the middle to later part of summer. Known also as garden phlox or tall phlox, this plant features a spreading root system that may lead to the center becoming less dense over time. It’s recommended to divide the plants every three to four years, cutting them into sections with three to five strong shoots each. Remove any small, weak, or woody parts along with the central area of the plant.
02 of 14
Speedwell
- Botanical Name: Veronica spicata
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Medium to moist, well-draining
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.8-7.5)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Speedwell plants exhibit a low, spreading growth pattern and possess a shallow, fibrous root system. These plants thrive when divided every three to five years to maintain their productivity. When dividing, select sections from the outer edges of the plant, as these will be the most vigorous. You can expect abundant new growth and plenty of flowers in the coming season.
03 of 14
Tickseed
- Botanical Name: Coreopsis spp.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Average to poor, well-draining
- Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Tickseed, also known as coreopsis, consists of many types of resilient native wildflowers that flower from spring until summer. These plants feature spreading roots and can benefit from being divided every one to three years to keep them healthy. When dividing the plants, remove the weak center part and replant sections taken from the outer edges. Certain coreopsis species tend to last longer if they are divided frequently.
04 of 14
Beebalm
- Botanical Name: Monarda didyma
- Sun Exposure:Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type: Rich, medium to moist
- Soil pH:Slightly acidic up to neutral (6.0-7.2)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Beebalm is a rapidly growing indigenous perennial that creates thick clusters of aromatic leaves and striking red flowers during mid-summer. It’s recommended to divide the plants every three to four years in order to reduce the density of the clumps, limit their expansion, and avoid excessive crowding. This process also enhances air circulation within the foliage, which can help prevent powdery mildew. When dividing, remove the old, woody center part of the plant.
05 of 14
Yarrow
- Botanical Name: Achillea spp. and cvs.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type:Dry to medium, properly drained, low in nutrients
- Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.8)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Yarrows are popular plants that provide essential support for pollinators, featuring flat-topped flower clusters filled with small, nectar-filled blossoms. Yarrow should be divided every two to three years, or when the middle part of the plant starts to wither. Split the spreading root system by cutting or pulling it into multiple sections and remove the central core.
06 of 14
Black-eyed Susan
- Botanical Name: Rudbeckia fulgida
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type:Rich, arid to moderate, well-drained
- Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.8)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
The bright flowers of black-eyed Susan are a common feature in summer gardens. These plants form compact clusters by self-sowing and spreading roots. Every three to four years, divide the clusters with a shovel or pitchfork, cutting the plants into smaller sections. This process boosts plant health and enhances air circulation within the foliage, reducing the risk of leaf diseases.
07 of 14
Agapanthus
- Botanical Name: Agapanthus hybrid ‘MP003’
- Sun Exposure: Full to part sun
- Soil Type: Organic, medium moisture, well-draining
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-7.5)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Agapanthus plants grow best when their roots are tightly packed, so they don’t need to be divided often. You can divide them for growing new plants or to refresh the existing ones every four or five years, or if you see a drop in flowering. The roots of Agapanthus are thick and somewhat fragile. Carefully lift the plants after flowering has slowed in the autumn. Split the clumps into sections that have at least two or three growth points. Dividing can also be done in the spring.
08 of 14
Daylily
- Botanical Name: Hemerocallis hybrids
- Sun Exposure: Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
Daylilies can be split during late autumn or early spring, prior to the start of new growth. Many gardeners divide daylilies in order to boost their numbers. This process also encourages more abundant flowering. Daylilies have thick, juicy roots that contain several areas where new growth can occur. It’s recommended to divide the plants every three to six years, cutting the roots into sections that each have three or more shoots. When replanting the divided sections, place each new plant so that the growing point (the area where the shoot connects to the roots) is one to two inches below the surface of the soil.
09 of 14
Astilbe
- Botanical Name: Astilbe hybrids
- Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
- Soil Type: Average, medium, well-draining
- Soil pH:Slightly acidic up to neutral (5.8-7.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Astilbe is stunning when planted in large groups in woodland gardens and other shaded areas, but its flowering tends to diminish as the plants become too dense. To maintain strong blooms, divide the plants every two to three years or whenever the clumps get too crowded. You might require a sharp spade or knife to separate the fibrous roots into sections.
10 of 14
Spotted Bellflower
- Botanical Name: Campanula punctata
- Sun Exposure:Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type: Average, medium, well-draining
- Soil pH:Slightly acidic through to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
This flowering, clump-growing perennial spreads through rhizomes to create big clusters. The plants can be divided during spring or fall every two to three years, or when they become too dense. Split the plants into sections containing three to five strong shoots, and remove any small, weak, or woody parts.
11 of 14
Hosta
- Botanical Name: Hosta spp. and cltvs.
- Sun Exposure:Partial to full shade; scattered sunlight
- Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
- Soil pH:Slightly acidic up to neutral (5.5-6.2)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Hostas are resilient, easy-to-care-for plants that typically don’t need to be divided for optimal growth. These plants tend to look their best when not divided frequently. However, as they age, the center of the plant may become sparse and could benefit from division after six years or more. Gardeners also choose to divide hosta plants in order to grow new ones. This can be achieved by taking a small portion from the outer edge of the plant, which will soon fill in. If division is necessary, separate the fleshy roots into sections containing two to three growing points or eyes.
12 of 14
Lamb’s Ear
- Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
- Soil Type:Average, arid to moderate, well-draining
- Soil pH: Adaptable (6.0-8.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
This soft ground cover spreads through runners, creating thick clusters. The plants may grow vigorously in the best conditions. Every two to four years, divide the plants to control their spread and to create new ones. Remove the weak center part of the plant. Place the divisions between twelve and eighteen inches apart to give the new plants enough space to expand.
13 of 14
Cranesbill
- Botanical Name: Geranium spp.
- Sun Exposure:Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type:Average, medium with moderate moisture, well-draining,
- Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Several types of resilient geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are cultivated across the southern region. While our local species are very attractive, European varieties are frequently available in the United States, includingGeranium sanguineum and G. macrorrhizumThese organisms spread through creeping roots or rhizomes to create clusters. They can be separated every two to four years to control their expansion and/or to grow new plants.
14 of 14
Coneflower
- Botanical Name: Echinacea spp. and cultivars
- Sun Exposure:Full sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type:Average, low to moderate, well-draining,
- Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Coneflowers are some of the most favored native plants cultivated in gardens because of their bright summer flowers that draw numerous pollinators and songbirds. These resilient perennials grow to create thick clusters over time. The plants can be split every four years to ensure good plant health, control cluster size, and produce additional plants.
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