1
Remove the plant from the pot and
look at its size and lines of growth to
decide where best to divide it. This blue
lyme grass (Leymus arenarius) lends
itself to being split in two. Larger
grasses may give three or four divisions.
DIVIDING GRASSES
Most large grasses are easy to divide in fall
or spring, giving you extra plants that may be
particularly useful for spring plantings. Wait until
late fall to late winter to divide Stipa grasses because
they react badly to being divided earlier.
YOU WILL NEED
• saw or large serrated knife
• watering can
SEE ALSO
• CARING FOR GRASSES >> 148/149
• CUTTING GRASSES >> 152/153
• CHOOSING GRASSES >> 156/157
DON’T BURY
THE CROWN
When planting in the ground,
leave the crown of newly divided
grasses slightly above the
surface to discourage root rot,
but do make sure the roots are
covered or they will dry out.
Grasses can
also be dug up
after they’ve
been cut back
and then split
US_154-155_DividingGrasses.indd 154 07/09/2018 16:34
GRASSES // DIVIDING GRASSES 154–155
Both
divisions
should
be a large
size for
replanting
3
Having cut through the crown,
gently separate the rest of the
root ball with your hands—this
causes less damage to the fibrous
grass root system than cutting it.
2
Using a saw or large serrated knife, cut
through the crown of the plant along the
lines of least resistance. The crown is usually
only a few centimeters deep, and cutting
becomes easier once it is sliced.
4
Plant out the divided pieces
in the same way as container
plants, spacing them at least 12 in
(30 cm) apart and watering them in
well. Two or more clumps together
are very eective in the garden bed.
Hold top and
sides of plant
to divide into
two parts
US_154-155_DividingGrasses.indd 155 07/09/2018 16:34
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