10 Plants You Should Divide in Fall Instead of Buying New Ones Next Year

A gardener divides established perennials such as hostas, daylilies, and iris in fall, creating healthy new plants for next year’s garden instead of buying replacements – Shutterstock

Fall has a sneaky little gardening superpower: it can turn one established perennial into several new plants without sending a single dollar to the garden center. Dividing certain perennials now gives each section room to develop roots before winter, while also giving crowded plants a much-needed reset.

The trick involves knowing which plants actually enjoy division and which ones would rather stay put. Some perennials practically invite a shovel into the conversation, while others respond to root disturbance like a cat responds to a bath. Choose the right candidates, divide them properly, and next spring can bring a fuller garden without a cart full of new plants.