If you’re looking to get an exact copy of your favorite garden phlox, dividing it is the way to go! It’s a super reliable method where you either split the plant right down the middle or grow a new one from root cuttings. Here’s the lowdown on how to get it done.
Why should you divide your Phlox?
First things first: this trick only works for perennial varieties. Annual phlox won’t work because they aren’t winter-hardy and won’t make it through the cold months. Most gardeners decide to divide their plants for a few key reasons:
- To propagate (more free plants!)
- To rejuvenate an older, woody clump
- To start fresh after the plant has dealt with a disease
When is the best time to divide?
Both spring and fall are great windows for dividing your phlox. Just make sure the ground isn’t frozen! One pro tip: avoid dividing while the plant is in its blooming phase. It puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the plant, and you want it to focus its energy on growing new roots, not flowers.
How to divide your Phlox: Two easy methods
There are two main ways to go about this, depending on what you’re trying to achieve:
- Splitting the whole plant
- Root cuttings
Splitting the whole plant
This is definitely the easiest route. All you need is a sharp spade. Simply drive the spade right through the center of the mature phlox clump, roots and all, to split it into two halves. Dig up one of the halves and move it to a new, sunny spot in your garden. I always recommend mixing a little compost into the new hole first to give it a healthy head start.
Growing from root cuttings
Taking a piece of the root to grow a new plant is a fantastic move if your phlox has been struggling with a disease. Often, pests or fungi only affect the stems and leaves, leaving the roots perfectly healthy and ready to start over. Look for a nice, fleshy piece of root for the best results.
Take a root cutting about 2 inches long and lay it horizontally in a starter pot. Use a good seed-starting mix or a blend of peat and sand, and keep the soil consistently moist. Once your new phlox starts sprouting and the danger of frost has passed, you can transplant it right out into your garden.
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