How to propagate flowers by division? Detailed method explained

Separating a clustered plant into individual new plants that each grow on their own is called propagation by division. This method is simple to perform, preserves the excellent traits of the mother plant, and because the divisions have a fairly well-developed root system, they take root easily and grow quickly. It is one of the propagation methods commonly used by home gardeners and is best suited to propagating shrubs and herbaceous perennial flowers.

Division: Dig the mother plant out of the pot or the ground, remove some of the old soil so the roots are exposed, and for flowers that readily produce suckers, identify the part to be divided and use a knife to pull the division's stems apart together with their roots, so that the mother plant is not damaged and the division's root system stays intact; then plant the division separately. For clump-forming flowers, split them by hand or with a knife into 2-3 clumps; as long as each clump has an intact root system, simply plant them separately. Flowers suitable for this method of propagation include ornamental bromeliads, clivia (Clivia miniata), orchids, peace lily (Spathiphyllum), caladium (Caladium bicolor), white net plant (Fittonia albivenis), anthurium (Anthurium), aloe, and ferns.

Bulb division: Most bulbous and tuberous flowers have a very strong regenerative capacity in their underground parts, and each year new small bulbs grow around the mother plant; propagating with these small bulbs is not only simple but also produces flowers earlier than growing from seed. The timing of bulb division varies with the flower species, and it is generally done during the plant's dormant period in spring or autumn. For example, the new bulbs (daffodils, lilies, etc.), tubers (calla lily, alocasia, etc.), corms (freesia, etc.), rhizomes (canna, iris, hosta, etc.) and tuberous roots (dahlia, etc.) that grow beside the mother plant can be separated and planted separately, and they will grow into independent plants.