How to Propagate Big Blue Lilyturf by Division

Divide Big Blue Lilyturf in spring by lifting an established clump, cutting it into sections that each hold 3 to 4 shoots and a piece of rhizome, and replanting them 12 to 18 inches apart. It is the only sensible way to make more of this cultivar. Division gives you plants identical to the parent, and it is far faster than growing from seed, with new plantings often reaching full size within 2 to 3 years.

Do it badly and you get ragged cuts, rotted crowns and sulking divisions. Do it right and one clump turns into a whole border. In this article, we'll go through when to divide, the tools to gather, the six steps from lifting to planting, and what to expect in the first few seasons.

When to Divide Big Blue Lilyturf

Timing matters when propagating Big Blue Lilyturf by division. Spring is the ideal window. Wait until new growth begins to emerge, typically as soil temperatures warm and you see the first few green shoots breaking through. This gives newly divided sections the entire growing season to establish roots before winter arrives. We divide rather than sow, since cultivar seedlings rarely come true to type.

In USDA zones 5 to 10, spring is the safe choice. In zones 7 to 10, where Big Blue Lilyturf stays evergreen year-round, you can also divide in early fall if spring was missed. In colder zones 5 to 6, stick to spring division. Avoid dividing during the heat of summer or in late fall when plants are hardening off for winter.

An established clump is one that has been in the ground for at least 2 to 3 years and has filled out to its mature width of 12 to 18 inches. If your plant is younger or smaller, give it more time before attempting division. Dividing too young can stress the plant unnecessarily.

One piece of advice we don't follow is dividing every few years to "refresh" the clump. Big Blue doesn't need it. In our rows, clumps we leave alone stay dense and keep blooming, so divide only when you want more plants.

What You'll Need

Gathering the right materials before you start makes the work cleaner and faster. Here is what to have on hand:

• A sharp spade or garden fork (not a dull shovel)
• Pruning shears or secateurs
• A bucket of water
• Well-draining soil or potting mix
• A flat work surface, such as a potting bench or ground tarp
• Newspaper or burlap for wrapping divisions before planting
• Optional: a hand trowel for smaller divisions

Sharp tools are critical. A dull spade will crush tissue and invite rot, while sharp blades make clean cuts that heal quickly. If your spade is worn, sharpen it with a file or whetstone before beginning.

Step-by-Step Division Guide

Work through these six steps in order, and finish the whole job in one session so the divisions never dry out.

Step 1: Prepare the Parent Clump

Begin by trimming back the foliage of the clump you plan to divide. Cut the strap-like leaves down to a few inches high using pruning shears. This exposes the base of the plant so you can see where the rhizomes connect and makes it easier to work with. Don't worry about damaging the plant. Big Blue Lilyturf is tough and recovers quickly.

Step 2: Loosen and Lift the Clump

Dig the whole clump out in one piece, then clean the roots so you can see what you are cutting.

Working around the perimeter of the clump, use a sharp spade or garden fork to cut down about 6 to 8 inches into the soil, creating a circle around the plant. Push the fork or spade under the clump at an angle and lever gently to loosen it from the soil. Once loosened, lift the entire clump out of the ground.

Brush away excess soil by hand so you can see the rhizomes, the short underground stems that connect sections of the plant. Rinse gently with water if soil remains stuck. Wet rhizomes are easier to work with than dry ones.

Step 3: Divide the Clump

Now split the lifted clump into planting-size sections.

Using a sharp spade or secateurs, cut the clump into sections. Each division should contain at least 3 to 4 shoots (the green leaf stems) and a visible portion of rhizome. Smaller divisions will still grow and establish themselves, but sections with more shoots accelerate maturity.

Make clean, decisive cuts. If you're working with a large, dense clump, you may be able to pull some sections apart by hand, especially if the rhizomes separate naturally. For tougher clumps, use the spade to cut straight down, creating wedge-shaped or square pieces.

Step 4: Trim the Roots and Shoots

A quick tidy of each section helps it root in faster.

Once divided, trim any damaged or excessively long roots to encourage new root growth. Cut back broken or blackened roots to healthy white tissue. Leave the shoots at the few inches you cut them to in Step 1, which keeps water loss from the foliage low while the roots re-establish.

Step 5: Prepare the Planting Site

Get the bed ready before the divisions come out of the bucket.

While divisions will grow in average, well-drained soil, preparing the planting site ahead of time helps them settle in faster. Loosen the soil 8 to 12 inches deep and, if the soil is very compacted or heavy clay, work in some compost to improve drainage. Big Blue Lilyturf tolerates clay, but drainage ensures roots won't rot in waterlogged conditions.

Space divisions 12 to 18 inches apart, depending on how quickly you want the area to fill in. Closer spacing creates a fuller appearance sooner, while wider spacing gives each division more room to spread. Our spacing guide for borders, edging and mass planting has layouts for each use.

Step 6: Plant the Divisions

Plant at the right depth and water well, then keep the bed evenly moist while roots form.

Dig a hole slightly larger than the division's root ball. Place the division in the hole so that the base of the shoots sits just at soil level (not buried). Backfill with soil, firming gently to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and remove any remaining air gaps around the roots.

Keep the planting area consistently moist (not waterlogged) for the first 2 to 3 weeks. Once divisions show new growth, you can reduce watering frequency. Established Big Blue Lilyturf is drought tolerant after about one growing season, but young divisions benefit from regular moisture until roots are well developed.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are the slips we see most often, and every one is easy to avoid.

Don't divide too early. Attempting to divide a young clump that is still establishing stresses the plant and results in slower recovery. Wait until the clump is robust and at least 2 to 3 years old.

Avoid crushing tissue with dull tools. Crushed or ragged cuts invite crown rot and root rot, especially if drainage is poor. A sharp spade or secateurs make clean cuts that heal quickly.

Don't overwater new divisions. While consistent moisture is important, soggy soil promotes rot in the rhizomes. Aim for moist but not waterlogged soil. If your soil drains poorly, work in compost before planting.

Keep newly divided sections out of intense heat. Plant divisions in spring or early fall, not in peak summer. If you must divide in warmer months, provide afternoon shade for the first few weeks.

One of the most common questions we get is whether you can split a clump in midsummer. You can, but it costs you. Divisions struggle in the heat, so wait for spring or early fall.

Include adequate rhizome with each division. Divisions that consist only of leaves with minimal rhizome may struggle to establish. Aim for at least a 1-inch section of rhizome per division.

Don't skip trimming foliage. Cutting the leaves down before division reduces stress on the plant and makes handling much easier. The foliage will regrow quickly once the plant settles in.

After Division: What to Expect

Once the divisions are in, your job is mostly to leave them alone and watch them fill in.

Newly divided Big Blue Lilyturf typically shows new growth within 2 to 4 weeks. Depending on size at division and growing conditions, sections may bloom in their first full growing season after planting, though some may wait until the second year.

The rhizomes of Big Blue Lilyturf spread slowly via short underground runners, so expect the clump to increase in width by just a few inches each year. Full mature clump size, around 12 to 18 inches wide, is usually reached in 2 to 3 years. This slow, steady growth habit makes it useful as a stable border or edging plant without aggressive spreading.

Once established, divisions tolerate drought and adapt to sun or shade, though flowers come most freely in sun. They need little maintenance beyond cutting the old foliage back before spring growth begins. For more complete care information, see our Big Blue Lilyturf care guide, and our guide on when and how to cut back Big Blue Lilyturf.

Quick Reference: Division Checklist

Use this table as a quick check at the bench.

Step	Timing or Details
Ideal division season	Spring, when new growth emerges
Clump maturity required	2-3 years old, 12-18 in. wide
Trim foliage before dividing	Cut to 3-4 in. high
Minimum per division	3-4 shoots plus 1 in. rhizome
Spacing new divisions	12-18 in. apart
Planting depth	Base of shoots at soil level
Initial watering	Thorough at planting, then keep moist 2-3 weeks
First growth expected	2-4 weeks after planting
Time to mature size	2-3 years
Possible first bloom	Same season or year 2 after planting

Divide Big Blue Once, Then Leave It Alone

Divide a clump that is at least 2 to 3 years old, in spring, with sharp tools and 3 to 4 shoots plus a piece of rhizome per section. Plant at soil level, water well, and keep the bed moist for the first few weeks. After that, Big Blue Lilyturf asks for very little.

Before a plant leaves us, we check its roots, its crown and the health of its foliage. We are a small business and a team of growers with our own farms, and we grow and sell top-quality plants, including the Big Blue Lilyturf we'd want to divide in our own beds.