When you find a plant that looks stunning in your yard, the first thing you probably think is, “I need more of these!” Hostas are no exception. If you’re patient enough to wait about three years for a plant to really mature, dividing your hostas is by far the easiest way to expand your garden for free.
Keep Your Plants Feeling Young
Dividing hostas isn’t just about getting “free” plants, though. It’s actually great for the plant’s health. After about five years, these perennials tend to spread out quite a bit. Eventually, they start putting all their energy into growing wider rather than producing those lovely blooms. A little “rejuvenation” via division is exactly what the doctor ordered to get them back on track.
Timing is Everything: Spring or Fall
You definitely don’t want to go digging up your hostas while they’re in the middle of their big summer show. Instead, plan to get your hands dirty either in the early spring or during the fall. While hostas are pretty tough and can usually survive a mid-summer move, you’ll get much better results if you stick to the off-season. The same rule applies if you’re just transplanting them to a new spot. If you opt for fall, try to get it done by September. This gives the new divisions enough time to establish a solid root system before the ground freezes.
How to Get the Job Done
Technically speaking, propagating hostas by division is a breeze. Here’s how you do it:
- Carefully dig around the root ball and lift it out of the ground using a garden fork.
- Give it a good shake to get rid of the excess dirt.
- Trim away any old or rotting roots you see.
- Use a sharp spade or a garden knife to slice the clump into sections.
- Just make sure every piece has a bit of the main crown/rootstock attached so it can regrow!
