How to divide pansies?

Pansies are delightful herbaceous plants whose flowers come in a wide palette of bright, luminous colours. They are ideal to grow in window boxes or pots to beautify terraces, balconies and windowsills, and can also be planted in beds. Very easy to grow and long-flowering, sometimes in autumn and winter, pansies have many virtues! Dividing is an excellent way to multiply them, and it also rejuvenates clumps, which otherwise may become exhausted and flower less. Discover all our tips to divide your pansies!

For full information on pansies and their cultivation, discover our complete factsheet: "Pansies: to grow, sowing, planting and maintenance"

When to divide pansies?

Best time to divide pansies is autumn (September–October), as this allows plant to establish before winter and to regrow better in spring. Plant enters a period of rest where division causes less stress, while still benefiting from favourable soil conditions to root well. However, it is also possible to divide pansies in spring, as this is a period of active growth and new divisions can take advantage of this momentum to grow vigorously. In any case, avoid periods of frost or extreme heat.

Equipment needed

• A spade or digging fork to lift rootball if pansy is grown in open ground
• A pruning shear or a knife, clean and sharp
• Well-rotted compost
• A watering can fitted with a rose
• Pots or planters, and potting compost, if replanting young plants in pots

How to divide pansies?

• Choose a vigorous, well-developed pansy clump.
• Water plant the day before dividing to ease extraction and reduce stress.
• If pansy is grown in open ground, dig around plant about 10 cm from base, then lift rootball taking care not to damage roots. If in a pot or planter, gently remove it from its container.
• Gently shake rootball to remove excess soil and expose roots.
• Remove any diseased or damaged parts.
• Divide plant into several sections with a clean knife or by hand, each section should have healthy roots and a few leaves.

• Replant each division, in a pot or in open ground, after preparing soil. If planting in open ground, space young plants about 20 cm apart.
• Water well immediately after planting to encourage rooting and plant recovery.
• During first weeks, water regularly, watch for signs of stress (yellowing or wilting leaves), and protect young plants from direct sun if necessary.

How to care for young plants after division?

During first weeks after division, keep a close eye on new young pansy plants. They may show signs of stress, but with regular watering and good exposure to light (but not too direct), they should quickly recover. Be vigilant with watering, especially if grown in pots or planters, as substrate dries out much faster than in open ground. However, avoid overwatering, which could cause young plants to rot or lead to disease. Best to water in morning, avoiding wetting foliage (aim water at soil).

Feel free to add a little slow-release fertiliser or compost to boost root growth if necessary. Finally, it is best to remove faded flowers as you see them, as this encourages plant to produce new flowers, thereby extending flowering period!