Whether you’re growing tall Stonecrop (Sedum) or its low-growing cousin, Sedum acre, these succulents are absolute staples in the garden. When they’re in the right spot, these perennials are tough as nails and will thrive for years. However, you might eventually notice the blooms looking a bit sparse. If that’s the case, it’s time to divide!
Why and When Should You Divide Stonecrop?
As these perennials age, their stems tend to get thinner and those beautiful flower heads start to shrink. If left alone too long, the plant can even start looking “bald” or woody in the center. To keep your plants looking fresh and vibrant, it’s a great idea to rejuvenate them every four to five years by dividing them. This doesn’t just help the plant; it’s also the easiest way to get free plants for the rest of your garden! The best time to do this is in the early spring, just before the new growth really takes off.
How to Divide Your Plants
If you have a large, established Stonecrop that needs a little “fountain of youth” treatment, here’s how you do it:
- Grab a garden fork and carefully dig around the entire perennial.
- Loosen the soil all around the root ball.
- Gently rock the fork back and forth to help wiggle the roots free from the earth.
- Lift the whole plant out of the ground.
- Try to get as much of the root system out as possible.
- Shake off any loose excess dirt.
- Trim away any parts of the roots that look dried out or mushy.
- You can split the plant with a sharp spade or a clean knife.
- For a gentler approach, try pulling the root clumps apart with your hands.
- Make sure each new section has several healthy growth buds.
- Ideally, each root clump should be about the size of your fist.
- Replant your new sections immediately in their new home—whether that’s in a garden bed or a container.
- Keep the soil moist (but not soggy!) until the plants have firmly established their roots.
Dividing low-growing varieties like Goldmoss Stonecrop is even easier. You can just lift the plant and its shallow roots out with a small hand hoe, gently pull the carpet apart with your hands, and pop the pieces back into the soil. Give them a good drink of water, and they’re good to go!
More Ways to Propagate
While dividing is great for refreshing an old plant, there’s an even lazier (and fun!) way to get more Stonecrop. Simply snip off a strong, healthy stem near the base and stick it in a vase of water. In no time at all, you’ll see roots starting to sprout. Once you have a solid little root ball, you can plant your new “start” directly into a sunny spot in the garden. Happy planting!
