One of the most rewarding and cost-effective tasks in gardening is splitting perennials. Many perennial plants naturally grow larger each year, and eventually become crowded, woody, or less productive. Dividing these plants not only rejuvenates them but also gives you free new plants to expand your landscape or share with friends.
Splitting perennials is a simple practice that benefits the plant’s health, improves garden aesthetics, and helps maintain long-term vigor. Whether you garden in the Piedmont, the Triangle, or anywhere with fluctuating seasonal temperatures, dividing perennials is an essential part of good garden maintenance.
Why Splitting Perennials Is a Good Idea
Perennials grow in clumps that expand over time. Once those clumps become too dense, the center often begins to die out due to lack of air and light. Splitting prevents decline and encourages fresh, healthy growth. Dividing also improves flowering because crowded roots compete for nutrients and water, which reduces bloom production.
Another major benefit is multiplication. A single perennial can quickly become several, giving you fresh plants for other areas of the landscape. Over time this saves significant money and creates a more cohesive garden because the new plants match the originals.
Splitting also gives you the opportunity to correct spacing issues. Perennials that were small at planting may now overwhelm neighboring plants. Dividing allows you to reposition them for better balance and design.
What Types of Perennials Split Best
While most clumping perennials can be divided, some respond better than others.
Top perennials that divide well include:
Hostas
Daylilies
Shasta daisies
Black-eyed Susans
Coneflowers
Ornamental grasses (clumping types)
Sedum
Irises
Coreopsis
Garden phlox
Plants that grow in tight clumps, send out offsets, or form expanding crowns are excellent candidates. Plants with taproots, like butterfly weed or baptisia, are not ideal because they do not tolerate root disturbance well.
When to Split Perennials
The best timing depends on the plant and your climate, but a simple rule works for most gardens.
Split spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall.
They have time to re-establish roots before winter.
Split fall blooming perennials in spring.
This allows them to settle before they put energy into flowering.
Cooler weather and consistent moisture support quick recovery, which is why early spring and early fall are ideal times.
A few plants have more specific timing needs. For example, irises are best divided in late summer after flowering. Ornamental grasses are healthiest when split in early spring as new growth emerges.
How to Split Perennials
Water the plant the day before to reduce stress and make digging easier.
Dig up the entire root ball with a sharp spade or fork. Lift it gently to keep as many roots intact as possible.
Divide the clump into sections using your hands, a knife, or a garden saw depending on how dense the roots are. Each division should have several healthy shoots and a portion of root.
Replant immediately at the same depth as the original plant, spacing divisions to allow room for growth.
Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture.
With the right timing and technique, splitting perennials revitalizes your plants and your garden.