The perennial phlox, also known as phlox, can be easily propagated by division. You then get a young plant that is genetically identical to the mother plant. So it will have the same flower color and the same growth habit.
How to propagate a phlox by dividing?
To divide a phlox, dig up the plant, separate a fleshy root piece and plant it horizontally in potting soil. The best time for this propagation is between autumn and spring, when there is no risk of frost.
Dividing adult plants
Dividing a perennial phlox is incredibly easy. You dig up the plant and simply cut off the desired section with the spade. Then plant both parts again. Add some well-rotted compost to the planting hole to stimulate root formation. Remove any separated root pieces to prevent them from rotting. This could possibly lead to illness.
Don't divide your phlox when it's flowering, as this will only stress the plant unnecessarily. The period from autumn to next spring is better suited for this. It's just important that it's frost-free, otherwise you won't be able to dig up your phlox. Why not use the division to transplant your phlox.
Dividing the root
If you divide the roots, plants will grow from them that are identical to the original plant. This method is also recommended if various diseases have occurred on your phlox, such as powdery mildew or aleia. The small small cells, which are only a few millimeters in size, are located, among other things, in the stem, but not in the root of the phlox.
Dig up the phlox you want to propagate and expose roots. Find a root that is as fleshy and slightly thicker as possible and cut off pieces about 5 cm long. You can then replant your phlox.
Plant the root cuttings horizontally in a pot with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) or a mixture of sand and peat. Keep the soil well moist. After some time the young plants will sprout. Cultivation outdoors is also possible, but it will take longer. A temperature of around 12 °C is ideal.
The most important tips to share:
- Do not divide the plant during flowering
- use fleshy root pieces as cuttings
- Plant root cuttings horizontally
- Plant cuttings outdoors once they are well rooted
Tips & Tricks
When you share, you will receive young plants identical to the original plant
