Can You Split Mums? How To Divide The Fall Garden Favorites

Mums are synonymous with fall. Thanks to their late bloom period, these beautiful flowers make a much-welcomed addition to the home landscape. Potted mums from garden centers adorn porches, patios, and even indoor spaces. Though some choose to treat these flowers as an annual, many have found success wintering mums in garden beds. You may also wonder if you can divide mums. “Can you split mums” is a question we often hear during the fall months.

Determining when to divide and transplant mums is key. Though it may be tempting to divide store-bought mums in the fall just as they slip into dormancy, most experts suggest waiting. Early spring is the ideal time in which the plant can be divided, because that’s when the plant and its root system are more visible. This emerging growth makes it easier to make cuts and separate each segment.

In addition to multiplying your favorite varieties, plant division can help revitalize tired mums and encourage them to bloom. To keep the flowers blooming their best, it’s a good idea to divide chrysanthemums every 2-3 years.

Before mums can be divided, you’ll need to carefully remove them from the soil. Working a spade around the plant in a wide circle will help ensure that the roots are not cut or damaged while being dug. Once it’s lifted from the bed, shake the excess soil from the plant to get a clear view of the root ball.

The plant should reveal numerous growth tips. Using secateurs or a sharp garden knife, make cuts carefully between each growth point. Each new division should contain a growth point, as well as a section of the original root system. Once divided, new mums can be transplanted directly into the garden.

You may also choose to keep their mums in pots. As many varieties are