How to Divide Hostas and Daylilies
Overgrown clumps can be lifted and split into several new plants. Do it at the right time, keep the roots damp, and replant at the same depth.
Quick answer
Lift the clump, split it, replant at the same depth
- Best time
- Early spring as growth starts, or early autumn.
- How
- Dig the whole clump, then prise or cut it into sections with roots and shoots.
- Depth
- Replant so the crown sits at the same level it grew before.
- Aftercare
- Water well and keep the new divisions from drying out.
Why divide at all?
Herbaceous perennials such as hostas and daylilies naturally expand into bigger and bigger clumps. Eventually the centre becomes crowded and woody, flowering drops off, and the plant loses vigour. Lifting and splitting the clump solves all three problems at once, and it is one of the simplest ways to get new plants for free.
When to do it
Timing reduces the shock. The two safe windows are:
- Early spring, just as the new shoots appear — the plant has energy to spare and cool, moist soil helps it re-establish.
- Early autumn, once flowering is over but the soil is still warm, giving roots time to settle before winter.
Avoid dividing in the middle of a heatwave or during a dry spell. If the plant is flowering, either wait, or accept that you may lose that season's display.
Step by step
- Water the plant the day before. Moist soil holds the rootball together.
- Dig around the clump with a fork, well outside the outer leaves, then lift the whole rootball.
- Shake off loose soil so you can see where natural splits lie.
- Split the clump. Small clumps pull apart by hand; larger ones can be prised apart with two forks back to back, or cut with a clean spade or knife.
- Keep each division with roots and at least a few shoots. Discard the woody centre.
- Replant immediately at the same depth, firm in, and water thoroughly.
If you cannot replant straight away, wrap the divisions in damp cloth or heel them into a spare patch — exposed roots dry out fast.
Replant at the same depth
For hostas especially, planting too deep can bury the crown and cause rot. Look at the soil mark on the stems and match it.
Daylilies: a note
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are divided in much the same way and are even more forgiving — their fleshy roots tolerate being lifted and split. Aim to divide them every three to five years, or when the clump stops flowering well. Their roots are brittle, so work with a fork rather than wrenching them apart.
Aftercare in the first season
A freshly divided plant is working to rebuild its roots, so the first few weeks matter more than anything you do later.
- Water regularly through the first dry spells; do not let the new divisions dry out.
- Mulch lightly to hold moisture, but keep it off the crown of hostas.
- Expect smaller plants for a year. New divisions often flower little in their first season — that is normal, not failure.
- Skip feeding for now. Let roots establish before pushing leafy growth.
By the following season the divisions should be growing strongly, and you can divide again in a few years if you want more.
How many divisions to keep
A large clump can yield many pieces, but not every piece is worth keeping. Aim for divisions with a good share of roots and several shoots; a bare chunk with one weak shoot is slow to establish. Replant the strongest and give the rest away, or pot the spares on to grow on before planting out. For a smaller clump, two or three divisions is plenty — the point is to relieve congestion, not to make as many pieces as possible.
Tools and timing tips
Split garden tools make the job far easier. A sturdy fork lifts the clump without slicing roots, and two forks back-to-back prise a tough clump apart without damaging it. For very large or woody crowns, a sharp spade or an old bread knife cuts cleanly. Work on a cool, overcast day if you can — roots dry out fast in sun — and have the new planting holes ready before you start lifting, so the divisions spend as little time out of the ground as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I divide hostas?
Every few years, when the centre thins or flowering declines. If the clump still looks full and flowers well, leave it alone.
Can I divide a hosta in summer?
You can, but it is riskier. If you must, lift it on a cool, overcast day, keep the roots damp and water the divisions regularly.
What if I only want to make a plant smaller?
Slice off an outer portion with a spade, leaving the rest in place, then replant the removed piece elsewhere.
Related guides
- How to Divide Ornamental Grasses
- How to Divide Bearded Iris (and Get More Flowers)
- Rooting a Branch While It Is Still on the Plant
Sources and research notes
Timing and method follow UK horticultural guidance for herbaceous perennials. Results vary with soil, weather and plant condition.
Written and edited by the Seedledge Editorial. Every guide answers one real growing question, is checked against the sources listed above, and is updated when guidance changes. We are an independent editorial desk, not horticultural professionals — read how we research and update our guides.
