# Divide Shasta daisies now for better blooms

> September division can refresh tired Shasta daisies and turn one crowded clump into several healthy plants.
- Title: Divide Shasta daisies now for better blooms | Shortify
- Summary: September division can refresh tired Shasta daisies and turn one crowded clump into several healthy plants. Divide Shasta daisies in mild spring or early…
- Keywords: shasta daisies, september gardening, plant division, perennials, cottage gardens, fall planting, root damage, mulching, lindsey chastain, the waddle and cluck, design, lifestyle
- Source: Homes and Gardens — https://homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-divide-shasta-daisies
- Published: 2026-09-16T02:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: shasta daisies, september gardening, plant division, perennials, cottage gardens, fall planting, root damage, mulching, lindsey chastain, the waddle and cluck, design, lifestyle
## More plants for free
Shasta daisies form clumps, so one plant can become several. Dividing them fills more beds and can mean more blooms next summer.
## Division keeps blooms strong
Old clumps can crowd themselves until the middle thins out or dies. Splitting them every 2 to 3 years gives the healthy outer growth room, water and nutrients.

> Shasta daisies can get really sparse and crowded pretty quickly
## Pick mild weather
Divide in early spring as new growth appears, or in early fall after flowering. In fall, finish 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle.
## Cut back first
After fall blooming, trim stems to about six inches before digging. Clean, sharp pruners reduce damage and make the clump easier to handle.
## Water before digging
If the soil is dry, water the plant the day before division. Moist soil helps the clump lift with less stress on the roots.
## Lift the whole clump
Dig around the outside with a fork or spade, staying away from the crown. Lift the entire plant instead of chopping blindly into the middle.

> Then, lift the entire clump out of the ground
## Expose the crowns
Brush soil from the roots so you can see the separate crowns. Smaller clumps may pull apart by hand.
## Cut only if needed
Use a clean spade or garden knife only when the clump will not separate by hand. Keep sections with healthy shoots and strong roots, and discard weak, woody or diseased parts.

> use that as a last resort
## Replant at old depth
Set each division at the same depth it grew before, usually with holes around 5 to 8 inches deep. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart so they can fill out next summer.
## Mulch, then hold back
Water well after planting and add a light mulch layer without covering the crown. After that, water only when the top soil dries, since Shasta daisies hate waterlogged roots.

> they do not like being waterlogged
## Key takeaway

Divide Shasta daisies in mild spring or early fall, keep only healthy rooted sections, then replant and water lightly while they settle.