The Ultimate Guide to Dividing Plants

There is a special technique for dividing each type of plant that depends on its root system and growing habit. With the health of the plant at stake, you want to make sure that you do it right. Below is a list of videos to help you learn what is the right—and the wrong—way to divide perennials so that you can keep your garden growing strong year after year.

Getting ready to divide

First, pick the right time to divide your plant. Experts recommend waiting for one of the transitional seasons, spring or fall, to make divisions. Second, ensure that you have the right tools. Depending on the plant size, you may need a shovel, a trowel, or a pen to help root out your specimen. Third, make sure you divide your plant in such a way that all of the divisions will grow successfully—that’s where we come in. Finally, care for your newly divided plants the right way to ensure that they transplant well. You’ll find insights into and tips for each of these processes below.

Even more information on dividing perennials

Dividing Perennials: Tools, Techniques, and Timing

The Science of Plant Division

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  How-To

  The Science Behind Plant Division

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  How-To

  Introduction to Dividing Perennials

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  How-To

  Dividing Plants With Roots That Form Offsets

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  How-To

  Dividing Plants With Surface Roots

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  How-To

  Dividing Plants with Underground Running Roots

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  How-To

  Dividing Plants with Woody Roots

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  How-To

  Dividing Plants with Taproots

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  How-To

  Dividing Irises