When And How To Divide Hosta Plants - Gardener's Path

Use a sharp knife, scissors, or the spade you dug the hosta up with and sever the plant at your chosen spots.

If you’ve had rot or fungal issues, now is the time to treat the roots with a copper fungicide dust. Lightly dust all of the roots and the base of the crown before you put the whole thing back in the ground or in its container.

Speaking of copper fungicide, this stuff is a lifesaver. I always keep some in my gardening kit, since it works against a massive range of fungal diseases such as rust or blight. It’s also safe for use in organic gardens.

Bonide Captain Jack Copper Fungicide

If you don’t have any yet, you can purchase one- or four-pound containers of this product from Bonide at Amazon.​​

Now, it’s time to put those divisions in their new home. Treat them as you would any young transplants, which you can read more about in our guide.

Aftercare

Heat and direct sun are going to be your biggest challenges when helping divisions to become established.

Keep the divisions watered well, and don’t let the soil dry out.

If you stick your finger in the soil and it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it’s past time to water. You might also want to mist the foliage if you have a hot spell.

An inch of wood or straw mulch can help the soil retain moisture.

Don’t fertilize your hosta for a few months after dividing. If you completed this process in the fall, you can start your normal fertilizing schedule in the spring.

A Healthy Hosta Is a Happy One

Dividing isn’t just a way to get free plants. It’s also a way to keep your hosta healthy and looking its best.

Fortunately, for those of us who are lazy gardeners from time to time (speaking strictly for myself, here), it’s not a difficult task.

Still, if you run into any problems, come back here and share your concerns in the comments section below. We and the members of our helpful gardening community are ready to help.

Hopefully, you feel prepped with all the info you need to tackle dividing your plants. And for more information on growing hostas in your garden, check out these guides next:

• How to Grow Hostas in Containers
• Keep or Cut: How to Make the Most of Hosta Flowers
• 19 Favorite Hosta Varieties

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Photos by Kristine Lofgren © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published September 6th, 2021. Last updated: May 17th, 2025. Product photo via Arbico Organics. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.