How to Divide Plants

Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by Ellen Christian

Wondering how to divide plants? Check out these tips for dividing your plans so that they are healthier and more vibrant.

Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I love gardening and spending time outside.  If I had my way, I would be at the garden center every day buying new plants, bushes, and flowers.  Sadly, I only have so much room in the garden for plants. Each spring, I find myself having to divide the plants because they are getting too crowded.

How to divide plants

How to Divide Plants

 Not everyone knows that you often need to divide plants to continue to have blooms year after year.  When the plants get too crowded, they compete for the nutrients in the soil and they just don’t get enough to be healthy.  Dividing them allows them to have the room they need.

Typically, if the plant comes back year after year (perennials), it will need to be divided occasionally.

When your plant has grown to twice its size in about two or three years, it will need to be divided. Today I am dividing and transplanting my Egyptian Walking Onions into their new home.

Spring is the best time to divide plants because the plant’s root system is not as developed.

Dividing plants

  • Soak the plants well the day before you plan on dividing them or divide them the day after a good rainfall. It is less shocking to the plant that way.
  • Before you dig up your plants to divide them, decide where the ones you dig up will go. Make sure you have a hole dug so the divided plant is out of the ground for as little time as possible.

How to divide plants

  • Using a shovel with a sharp edge, dig up and lift out the entire plant you want to divide.
  • Try to get as much rootball as possible without damaging the plant.
  • Starting in the center of the plant, carefully pry the plants apart.  If you are working with a large clump, you may need to use two shovels to pry it apart in the center.

How to divide plants

  • Continue separating until the plant will fit in the area you have prepared for it.
  • If you only want to remove a small portion of the plant and it does not have a vast root system (like spreading ground cover),  you can simply dig up the part that has spread too far. To avoid shock, you need to water your plant well the day before. 
  • Replant the new plant in its new location as quickly as possible and water well.  Remember not to do this in the hottest part of the day or leave your plant in the sun too long.

How to divide plants

When I’m working out in the yard, whether gardening or pruning trees, I make sure that the clothes I wear are comfortable and made for yard work, I want to be able to move freely and be protected simultaneously.  Duluth Trading Company makes hot weather workwear designed with athletic-inspired performance technology. 

Finally, if you are looking for comfortable but rugged garden wear while you take care of your yard work, Duluth Trading Company is the place to shop.  The style and comfort make my evening out in the garden more enjoyable.

Wondering how to divide plants? Check out these tips for dividing your plans so that they are healthier and more vibrant.

Related reading

You may also enjoy these articles.

61 thoughts on “How to Divide Plants”

  1. I can't plant bulbs of any kind. Chip munks & squirrels dig them up as soon as I plant them and go into the house. Sometimes they just leave them there for me to see. It's very discouraging. Any ideas?
    Reply
    • Hi Marilyn - Try sprinkling red pepper flakes around the bulbs when you plant them. It won't hurt the squirrels or chipmunks but they don't like it either so they won't try to eat them.
      Reply
  2. Pingback: 55 of the Best Gardening Tips and Tricks - See Mom Click
  3. Thanks so much for sharing this in my gardening linky this week! I really need to do this to my day lilies but have never divided plants before! Great tips!
    Reply
  4. Excellent.  Thanks for this post. I am needing to divide SO many of our plants. The landscape is very over-run as it was ignored for many years and we are new owners. 
    Reply
  5. I would like the Women's Short Sleeve Action Shirt but I also like the Three Dog Fleece Hoodie & Flex Fire Hose® 12" Shorts. Would be a tough decision.
    Reply
  6. I'd buy some of the health and beauty items--especially the J.R. Liggett's Bar Shampoo and the no-crack cream!
    Reply
  7. first of all, i love duluth trading!  i think if i win, i would have to get a pair of the ladies' gardening overalls!  i don't know about you, but whenever i garden (especially in front yard), i tend to give a show from the rear,lol.  thanks for the great giveaway!
    Reply
  8. These gloves look really nice: http://women.duluthtrading.com/store/womens/womens-jackets-outerwear/womens-hats-womens-gloves/11514.aspx
    Reply
  9. Pingback: $50 Duluth Trading Co GC Giveaway - Giveaway Promote
  10. I am just getting into planting bulbs. They don't do so well in the south but I am hoping to find a few heat tolerant ones that will really take off.
    Reply
  11. I like the Larry Flashlight and the Flip Lantern. With storm/tornado season coming up, I really need to beef up our emergency supplies. 
    Reply
  12. I think I'd choose the Women's Short Sleeve Floral Overtime Crew in the Khaki print. My husband just built me a raised bed garden and I can't wait to plant veggies! Thanks!
    Reply
  13. I'm learning so much about gardening from you! I had no idea about dividing plants. I just thought you could put them wherever LOL. Shows you how little I know about gardening!
    Reply
  14. I think I would use it towards a Longtail T Shirt or two.  My son is 14 and 6'3" and I have a horrible time in my small town buying clothes for him.  They are way too big, but buy extra large just for the length...
    Reply
  15. I would get the "Precision Engraver" for my husband.  Also, I'm having issues with my lilies in the garden being too packed together - do you think this would work for them, too? as far as separating?  Great post!!
    Reply
  16. That reminds me, I need to divide my irises. I suspect that while they're blooming (they're gorgeous this year!) is not the time to do it, though.
    Reply
    • They are really cool.  In the fall, a little tiny onion bulb will form on the end of the green part.  The green part will fall over (or walk) and the little bulb will plant itself and grow a new one next year.  I harvest some & leave some to continue the plant's growth.
      Reply

Leave a Comment