Growing hostas can be very rewarding for a gardener, as they are hardy, thrive in the shade and need little maintenance. When these perennials get large enough, they can overrun the space in the garden. Fortunately, Hostas are also very easy to divide, perfect for sharing with friends and family or even for selling at plant markets!
Steps
Step 1. Choose the right time of year
While many gardeners choose spring to move and divide their plants, this can have a negative effect on the plants, especially in warmer climates. It is preferable to divide the Hostas in late summer and early autumn, approximately 4 weeks before the first frost. Hostas are fairly hardy plants, however, and can be divided at any time during the growing season if carefully replanted, watered, and mulched. Compacting the soil around the root mass so that the plant cannot be easily undermined will ensure greater success.
Step 2. Get the right tools for the terrain
Often, if the tufts are large (i.e. about 25 cm along the base), it will be easier to use a fork with flat prongs and a spade or shovel. If the soil is very light and rich in organics, and the plants are smaller, a long-bladed knife, preferably serrated, will work well. A hacksaw is very useful if the tuft is very large. Some prefer to have a garden hose on hand, or a large bucket of clean water.
Step 3. Cut or dig around the Hosta plant, for 10 cm at the base of small plants, up to 35 cm for a very large clump
Once you've dug a circle around the clump, stick the spade under the clump and lift it off the ground, or pry it up with your fork.
Step 4. If you are inexperienced with dividing hostas or other perennials, removing soil from the tuft can be very helpful in seeing individual plants and their rhizomes (where the roots grow from)
Also wash the plant if you're not sure how individual plants are growing and don't want to cut one in half (especially if the Hosta is an expensive, slow-growing species). Don't worry about damaging the roots with water, as Hosta roots are sturdy.
Step 5. If possible, especially if the Hosta does not have a large clump, separate the individual plants by hand, gently pushing your thumbs between the stems of the plant, and detaching them
To remove a stem from the crown, pull back and forth and not to the side (hold the core of the plant in one hand and grab the stem with the other, and rotate the stem holder back and forth), work the stem back and forth until the rhizome loosens or detaches from the crown. The rhizome will come off in the right place. Even if you lose a few stems of the plant, you will still have enough rhizomes to produce a new, healthy clump.
Step 6. If the tuft is very large, it may be easier to use a serrated kitchen knife to cut the tuft
It is possible to cut the tuft in various sizes, such as simply in half, in thirds or quarters.
Step 7. Begin to spread out the roots, so you can determine where you prefer to cut
Try to preserve as many roots and leaves as possible by making cuts through the crown, but not into the roots. Start cutting the crown in half, if you are really careful, you can orient yourself in the middle of the stems. If the clump is very large, it is sometimes easier to cut it in half without worrying about cutting a few stems, because the clump is still large.
Step 8. If possible, cut the crown about in half and then see if it can be separated with your hands; uses the same motion of pulling back and forth
In this case, hold each half in one hand and gently twist the two halves in opposite directions, then rotate back and forth each time applying a little more pressure while simultaneously exerting pressure to separate the two halves. If you can't pull far enough to separate, make a deeper cut.
Step 9. Washing the cuttings to remove sand and small stones can also help you understand how plant stems grow and see where to cut or separate
Step 10. You can also use the hacksaw to cut the tuft, turning it on one side, but be careful that the saw does not get stuck, so avoid this by keeping the parts separated by helping yourself with the other hand, or even with the handle of another garden tool, if the clump is huge and the saw has sunk deep into the clump
Step 11. Eliminating some of the older and larger leaves or cutting the foliage at the time of division will reduce water loss and help limit shock
Step 12. Plant the divided plants
Do not think that a small piece may not grow. It's amazing how hardy these plants are, and you might even plant small pieces alongside a larger plant.
Step 13. Don't let the roots dry out too much
If you can't plant them right away, put some damp earth or peat moss on the roots and keep away from direct sunlight, deep shade is fine in warmer climates.
Step 14. If plant roots dry out before I have a chance to replant, soak the plants in a bucket of water for two to twelve hours
Do not leave the plants in the water for more than a day, the roots will start to rot.
Step 15. For stem divisions that result from plant separation and that have a good balanced root distribution, plant these divisions at their original level, so the white basal portions of the stems should be placed just below the ground and should not see each other
If you've washed the roots or the roots don't have a lot of soil, make a good-sized hole and fan them out. Fill with earth, pressing firmly with the palm of your hand around the plant, and water well in order to eliminate the largest air pockets from the soil.
Step 16. If you were to use the knife or hacksaw to cut the clump, plant these small split clumps at the same depth as they were before, or just a little deeper and water well
Step 17. Keep the new divided Hostas moist; prevent the plants from drying out in the first two weeks
Advice
- Don't expect to split these Hostas again in the next few years.
- Newly planted hostas need 2 to 3 inches of water per week.
- Water reduces the risk of transplant shock and encourages the development of new roots.
- Make sure you water well if the division took place in the summer.
- Regarding the rapid growth of hostas, three to four year old plants produce the best and largest divisions.
- Space each division about 60 cm from the others - more precisely for those with small leaves consider 40-60 cm and for those with larger leaves 60-80 cm and up to 90 cm.
- By dividing the plant in the fall it is near or is already in the dormancy phase, but it is still in the root development phase so the division in this period produces the least damage.
- Add a 5cm layer of mulch around each plant.
- Hosta rhizomes can be sold in plant markets, and even on the roadside. Without any expense, you can raise money for yourself or others.
- As a rule, the larger and denser the tuft, the fewer divisions that can be made.
