Splitting & Dividing Your Hostas
- John Plant
- Sep 19, 2025
- 3 min read
We have approached the subject before but felt we ought to go back to it as we have had so many questions about it. It is one of those things that if you have Hostas, you will need to approach the subject at some point in time.
Splitting or dividing Hosta is a great way to maintain the shape of your plants, extend their lives, create new plants for other parts of the garden, and to improve the look and vitality of the existing crown. Splitting is easy, once you know what to do.
Splitting is the only way to get exactly the same plant as the parent. This is called vegetative propagation.
Hostas do not come true to seed. They will not be the same as either of the parents.
When should I split my Hostas?
Splitting your Hostas can be done at any time except frost & snow and really hot spells. The optimum times used by most people are in the spring, just as the pips start to show, or in the autumn before the leaves die down.
All Hostas will grow at different rates and you may be able to split them every 3-5 years, or so, some even sooner, some a lot later. You will know when the Hosta is getting too big for the pot or space it is growing in. It may be overgrowing smaller specimens planted nearby.
Time to split and replant. Only split healthy Hostas.
Preparation is key. Ensure the pot or ground has been watered, probably the day before, so the Hosta isn’t stressed out not having any moisture. Have all your equipment ready including any pots required and compost needed. Choose an overcast day.
Splitting Hostas in the ground and when in container is exactly the same other than having to dig them up.
How to split a planted Hosta.
Dig up the Hosta by placing a spade outside the root ball and gently moving it fully around the plant until loose. Take your time and complete the circle until the Hosta is loose.
Take the plant out of the ground and remove a good amount of the soil from the root ball. If possible, this can be done in situ, otherwise take it to a bench for cleaning and splitting.
Depending on the size of the clump, and how solid it is, use a sharp spade and push it through the root ball until you have the required size. Less solid clumps can be divided by having 2 garden forks back-to-back and push to get the clump apart. Smaller clumps, you may use a sharp knife or simply pull them apart with your hands.
You will be left with several decent sized clumps. Decide which one should be replanted using fresh compost and watering in. Don’t forget the label. The remaining piece may be planted elsewhere in the garden or potted up for later use. Don’t forget to water everything. Do this as soon as possible. Don't forget the label.
It may be that you only get a couple of splits. Please don’t be mean, in getting too many splits that are all very small. These will struggle if too small. Split into decent size clumps of several leaves or pips.
With a few rhizomatous Hostas, that spread easily, you can often just take the outside edge off without having to dig up the plant.
Have faith! You may lose one or two along the way, but if done well, the majority will grow on to make bigger clumps over the next year or so.
It is a great way to add extra plants to your garden for free! Or why not share with a fellow Hosta lover.
Remember Hostas symbolise Friendship & Devotion
Here is the link to our previous blog on dividing Hostas. To Divide or Not to Divide Your Hostas ? .... That is the Question
If you want to overdose on Hosta Knowledge & discover all our past Hosta blogs click here
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John Plant
Rewela Hostas
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