As gardens mature and plants outgrow their space dividing becomes an essential technique for most gardeners. Dividing, or cutting plants into pieces serves to rejuvenate overgrown specimens, generate new plants, and improve flowering and health. When done properly, dividing perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and other plants can yield impressive results.
Why Divide Plants?
Several key reasons make dividing desirable for many plants:
- Reinvigorate old plants that have declined from overcrowding
- Control size of fast-spreading plants
- Propagate more plants from existing specimens
- Improve blooming by reducing competition for nutrients
- Maintain youthful vigor and shape
Dividing overgrown plants restores energy as resources are no longer so tightly shared. More access to light and nutrition results in enhanced growth and blooming.
What Plants Can Be Divided?
Not all plants thrive when divided, but many do. Good candidates include:
- Perennials and bulbs with fibrous roots like hostas, daylilies, irises, peonies, asters, mums, and daffodils
- Grasses and clump-forming perennials like ornamental grasses, lavender, yarrow, lamb’s ear, bee balm
- Shrubs like spirea, forsythia, hydrangea,NINEBARK, and lilacs
- Certain vines like clematis and climbing roses
Plants with taproots or fleshy roots like delphinium and lupine resent disturbance Dividing should be avoided or done with great care for these,
When to Divide
Spring and fall when plants are entering or exiting dormancy are ideal times for division. Early spring allows time for root establishment before summer’s heat, while autumn dividing permits winter root growth before flowering.
However, some plants like daylilies and irises can be divided anytime in the growing season. Dividing during dormancy reduces stress for plants that strongly dislike root interference.
How to Divide Plants
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Water plants 1-2 days before dividing to minimize transplant shock.
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Use a spade or knife to slice outward from the crown, keeping several buds/stems per division.
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Gently pry apart in a circling motion to separate plant into 2-5 pieces based on original size.
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Prune any dead stems or leaves and cut back long roots if needed.
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Replant divisions promptly at same level, watering well. Add compost to planting holes.
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Keep new divisions well-watered until established. Delay fertilizing for 2-3 months after dividing.
Dividing Specific Plant Types
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Bulbs – Use hands to pry bulbs apart, leaving several bulbs per clump.
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Grasses – Slice or saw through root mass and pry apart, keeping 3-5 fans per division.
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Shrubs – Dig around root ball then pry apart into sections with several stems each.
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Roots – Cut thicker fleshy roots with clean shears/knife to divide plants like hostas.
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Vines – Sever vines near soil level to create new plants, retaining some root mass.
Aftercare Tips
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Give new divisions extra water the first few weeks until roots recover.
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Plant divisions at original soil depth, never burying crowns too deep.
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Hold off fertilizing for 2-3 months until new roots establish.
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Cut back any dead or unsightly growth to rejuvenate appearance.
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Transplant into pots or garden promptly to avoid roots drying out.
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Add compost or peat moss to planting holes to enrich soil for divisions.
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Keep divided perennials deadheaded and watered the first year to encourage quick establishment.
Keys to Success
Dividing plants is fairly straightforward, but utilizing these tips will boost success:
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Use clean, sterilized tools to minimize disease spread.
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Divide when plants are actively growing for quickest recovery.
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Water thoroughly 1-2 days before and after dividing to reduce shock.
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Retain several vigorous buds or stems per division. Discard any dead sections.
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Plant divisions at proper depth, never burying crown too deep.
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Keep new plants well-watered until fully established.
Enjoy the Benefits
Dividing overgrown plants is extremely rewarding. You instantly gain new plants for free and reinvigorate older specimens in one process!
The technique does take some effort but is well worth it long-term. Just be sure to properly care for divisions after planting for the highest success rate. In no time, your skill at cutting plants into pieces will have your garden flourishing.
Propagatin’ – Rocco Elliot (Official music video)
FAQ
Do plants respond to being cut?
Can you cut a piece of a plant and replant it?
Can plants feel when you cut them?
What is it called when you cut a piece of plant?
How do you divide a flower clump?
Simply dig up the entire clump and then carefully divide the crown and root ball into two or more section, depending on the size of the clump. Sometimes you can divide garden plants with your hands, as with many bulb species, while the use of a sharp knife or garden spade is oftentimes necessary to get the job done when dividing plants.
How do you remove a plant from a garden?
Instead, the easy method is to simply tilt the whole mass of soil back on the blade of your spade so you can see the roots and break, or cut, the old plant into smaller sections. Often the soil falls away. If not, scrape or shake some of the excess off so you have some “wiggle” room to gently pull or cut the divisions.
Can you divide a garden plant with a knife?
Sometimes you can divide garden plants with your hands, as with many bulb species, while the use of a sharp knife or garden spade is oftentimes necessary to get the job done when dividing plants. Once you have divided plants, shake off the excess soil and remove any dead growth. You might want to cut the plants back prior to replanting too.
How do you separate plants from each other?
Cut the divisions away with a sharp knife or spade. Put two pitchforks into the center of the clump of the plant with their backs facing each other. Then, pull the forks apart, which will separate the roots. If this works, you might hear some cracking.