Dividing Perennials
Healthy, vibrant perennials need space to grow. Over time, many perennials can become crowded, leading to weaker growth, fewer blooms or bare centers surrounded by foliage. Dividing your plants refreshes them, encourages stronger growth and keeps your garden looking full and colorful.
When to Divide
The best times to divide perennials are:
- Early spring: When new growth is still low
- Early fall: Cooler temperatures help plants recover more easily
Dividing gives each section more room to grow, improving overall plant health and bloom performance.
How to Divide Perennials
- Dig Around the Plant: Make a trench around the plant’s outer edge (the drip line).
- Divide the Clump: Cut down and under the plant from several points around the edge. For large plants, slice through the center like cutting a pie. Remove any dead or damaged portions.
- Keep Divisions Moist: Place each section in a bucket or box with damp newspaper to prevent drying.
- Prepare the Soil: Enrich planting holes with compost or a soil builder.
- Replant Carefully: Plant divisions at the same depth as before, firm the soil and water thoroughly. Using a root stimulator can reduce transplant stress and encourage strong roots.
Dividing Rhizomes
Some perennials, like Bearded Irises, grow from rhizomes—horizontal stems at or just above the soil.
- Best time to divide: About a month after flowering through early fall
- Remove old or damaged center sections, keeping healthy rhizomes
- Ensure each piece has a few inches of root and two trimmed leaf fans
- Planting tip: Keep the rhizome top slightly exposed—buried rhizomes may not bloom
Perennials Not Suited for Division
Some plants do not tolerate being divided. Leave these undisturbed:
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)
- Euphorbias
- Oriental Poppies
- Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
- Gas Plant (Dictamnus albus)
- Japanese Anemones
- False Indigo (Baptisia)
- Columbines (Aquilegia)
Special notes:
- Hellebores: Hard to move once mature, but young seedlings near the base can be transplanted
- Small woody shrubs like Santolina, Candytuft or Artemisia species are best propagated by cutting or layering, not dividing
Helpful Products for Dividing
1. Coast of Maine Organic Bumper Crop Soil Builder
- Improves poor soil and drainage
- Boosts root growth and plant vitality
- Organic, OMRI-listed, enriched with compost, worm castings, shellfish compost and kelp
- Contains mycorrhizae to help roots thrive
2. Esbenshade’s 5-10-5 Transplant Root Stimulator
- Encourages quick root development
- Reduces transplant stress
- Strengthens plant health and disease resistance
- Perfect for perennials, shrubs, flowers and vegetables
Dividing perennials is an easy way to keep your garden healthy and vibrant. With the right timing, technique and soil care, your perennials will continue to flourish season after season!