Key Points
It’s important to divide hostas so they stay healthy and don’t overcrowd other plants.Divide hostas in the spring or early autumn.Simply dig up the plant, shake off the soil, then cut the clump into pieces.
Who doesn’t love hostas? These beautiful, versatile perennials can fill a garden with lush greenery, and they pair beautifully with many other plants. And while they’re very low-maintenance, like anything in the garden, hostas do require care and attention in order to thrive.
One of the best things you can do for these plants is to divide them. This simple process will fill your garden with even more hostas and help keep the existing ones healthy and manageable. Here’s how the experts say to do it.
Benefits of Division
Division is an important part of a hosta’s lifecycle for a myriad of reasons. “It’s the best way to prevent overcrowding of the stems, which can result in smaller leaves and the center of the plant dying out,” says Nikki Jabbour, founder of Savvy Gardening.
Kate Walz, owner and founder of KW Garden Design, also notes that older, more crowded hostas are more prone to fungal problems and pests: “Dividing the clumps opens the plant up and allows for better airflow.”
It’s better for your overall garden, too. “Hosta plants that aren’t divided keep growing, which means they can invade the space of nearby perennials,” adds Jabbour.
When to Divide
Jabbour recommends dividing hostas every four to five years—or sooner if the plant is showing signs of struggling. “[When] the leaves are smaller, the flower stalks are weaker, and the overall growth is less impressive compared to previous years,” adds Walz.
Both experts recommend dividing in spring or early fall, after the summer heat has passed, but before the first frost sets in. “I prefer to divide in autumn, as the temperatures are cooler and there’s more moisture,” adds Jabbour. “I don’t have to water the plants as often as I would if I divided them in the spring.”
How to Divide
Ready to get started? This is the best way to divide your hostas:
Water the day before: This ensures the plant is well hydrated.Gather your tools: “I like to keep a tarp handy for splitting the plants as this contains the mess,” says Jabbour. “You’ll also need a sharp spade to dig up the plant, and a garden knife to split the clump.”Dig up the clump: Jabbour recommends inserting the spade about 6 inches outside the main crown of the plant. Dig down about 10 to 12 inches, depending on how deep the roots are.Shake off soil: You can knock it off by hand or use a hose, says Walz. This will make it easier to see where to divide the clump.Cut into pieces: “Ideally each piece should have two to three ‘eyes,'” says Jabbour. “If the original plant isn’t a big clump, you might want to divide it into just two or three pieces. Very large plants need to be divided into more pieces.”
Replanting and Care
Once you’ve divided your hostas, replant them at their original depth. Walz recommends a hole that’s at least twice the width of the new clump. “Set the crown at soil level and spread the roots out,” she adds. “Don’t bury the crown!”
After you’ve replanted the divisions, it’s important to keep the new plants moist for two to four weeks. If they dry out, they won’t survive.
“In spring, continue to water several times a week, depending on the weather,” adds Jabbour. “There’s generally more rain [in autumn] and less stress on the plants, so you won’t need to water as much.”
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