Updated at: 21-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

In order to divide black-eyed susans, all you need to do is follow these three simple procedures. Even though these plants can withstand a lot of stress, knowing how to divide them is always useful. In addition to propagation, you can use this method to preserve adult black-eyed susans.

If the weather is too unsafe to grow the newly divided black-eyed susans outside, you can move them to a greenhouse. Remember that even if the split itself is simple, you want to ensure that the parts are established. In order to keep them safe, it’s best to cultivate them indoors in a greenhouse until the weather stabilizes.

Propagating Black-Eyed Susans By Division

Step #1. Preparation

Preparation of the plant and place is the first stage in separating black-eyed susans. When dividing a plant, make sure that it is healthy and the spot is set for the divisions. To avoid drying out the plants’ roots, you don’t want to wait too long.

How to Divide Black Eyed Susans - YouTube

There should be no sickness or harm to the plant itself. This means that in addition to transplanting divisions, you can cultivate black-eyed susans in a greenhouse. At roughly three years of age, you may want to explore separating your parent plants in the spring or fall for both maintenance and propagation.

On the day before you wish to divide your plants, thoroughly water them and prepare the area where they will be dug up. If the space is free of weeds and debris, you can grow the divisions either indoors or in the garden. Make any essential modifications to the soil, if necessary.

Step #2. Digging and dividing

Trim the foliage of your adult black-eyed susan to a height of six inches or less from the ground to make lifting it easier. This will make it easier to see where to dig and lift the plant without injuring its root system. Lift the entire clump from the ground six inches away from the plant.

It’s possible to split and pull an overgrown clump part by section. The soil can be removed by shaking the root system or by hosing it down. Using a sanitized knife or by hand, cut the clump into sections with at least three shoots in each.

Step #3. Transplanting

Plant the portions as soon as possible after separating them to avoid drying out the roots. It doesn’t matter where you grow them as long as they are at the same depth as they were when they were developing. Remember to avoid burying divisions too deeply, since this could make it difficult for them to take root later.

Place the plant firmly in its new location and give it plenty of water to aid in its recovery. Mulch your plants if you’re not growing them indoors to keep them safe from the cold. You can then fertilize the plants in the spring as they begin to grow again.

Other Ways To Propagate Black-Eyed Susans

Seeds and cuttings can be used to reproduce black-eyed susans if you don’t have mature enough plants for division. Black-eyed susans should be planted in the spring or early fall, no matter what method of propagation you use. Once they’ve established themselves, you can be sure that they’ll be ready for the weather to change.

The plants will benefit even more if you start them in the greenhouse until they are strong enough to be transplanted. Once this is done, move your plants to a location where they will have easy access to water and full sun. As a general rule, staking may be required depending on the variety of plant you are cultivating.

Seeds

Black-eyed susans are easy to raise from seed. These plants are available at garden centers, but remember that they self-seed easily, so you can leave them to do it for you. Otherwise, plant the seeds in the greenhouse before the weather warms up so that germination would be simpler.

Cuttings

Alternatively, you can take cuttings from a healthy black-eyed susan and grow it from there. Get some damp soil and insert six-inch portions of a node in it. To keep the cuttings safe from the elements while they establish roots, you can root them indoors.

How to Choose Black-Eyed Susans

Here’s a fun fact about plants: Rudbeckia, the genus from which black-eyed Susans hail, includes both permanent and annual varieties. Rudbeckia fulgida is the perennial you want if you’re seeking for it. Many of the plants growing by the roadside are Rudbeckia hirta, an annual variety.

So what’s the point of studying botany? Check the plant tag for the genus name if you’re looking for black-eyed Susans that will grow year after year, and you’ll be good to go. Perennials in the garden center’s aisles should suffice. Annual wildflowers are frequently included in wildflower packs, but be sure to verify the list of items before buying.

Where to Plant Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans thrive in broad sunlight (at least 6 to 8 hours per day). They can withstand some shade, but they will eventually grow and spread toward the light. For this reason, it is a good idea to put the black-eyed Susans in areas where you don’t mind seeing more of them, as both perennial and annual kinds are prolific seed producers, and perennial varieties also spread by underground stems.

The height of a flower should always be taken into account when selecting where it should be placed in the garden. The height of black-eyed Susans varies depending on the kind. Some only reach a height of 18 inches, while others soar to a staggering 4 or 6 feet. Take a look at the plant’s tag to determine how tall it is predicted to grow.

When to Plant Black-Eyed Susans

The best time to plant black-eyed Susans is in the spring or early fall. As long as the temperature isn’t too hot or too cold, they’ll do OK.

How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Black-Eyed Susans

It is possible to grow Black-eyed Susans in practically any garden soil, except for soil that is continuously damp. Prepare the in-ground planting area using Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Flowers to ensure your plants get off to the greatest start. This nutrient-rich garden soil can be mixed into the top 6 inches of existing soil or a 50/50 blend for individual planting holes. To get the most attractive flowers, use a combination of good soil and the correct plant food. For more information, see the section below titled “How to Feed Black-Eyed Susans.”

How to Plant Black-Eyed Susans

The plant tag will tell you how far apart to plant your black-eyed Susans, so set the plants on top of the soil so you can see where to start digging..

Dig holes slightly larger and deeper than the root ball of each plant.

Drop Miracle-Gro® Quick Start® Planting Tablets into the planting holes, following the label’s instructions, for a nutrition boost.

Remove plants from pots and place them in the holes, making sure that the top of the root ball of each plant is level with (or slightly higher than) the soil surrounding it.

Finally, tamp down the earth around each plant to ensure that it is well-supported, then water thoroughly.

In order to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing, apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to the area around the plants.

How to Stake Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans don’t need to be staked if they don’t grow more than 2 feet tall. Taller varieties, on the other hand, may want additional support. Put a stake in the ground near (but not through) the middle of each plant, then bind the stems to the stake with twine. This is all that is required. Use two or three posts and a little lattice around the plant stems to allow them to bend gracefully at various angles as another alternative.

How To Divide Black Eyed Susans In 3 Steps - Krostrade

How to Water Black-Eyed Susans

Once they’re established in the garden, Black-eyed Susans don’t require a lot of extra water. However, you must water them when you first plant them in order to aid in the establishment of new roots. When the top inch of soil around the plants is dry, be sure to water thoroughly. Plants that have drooping leaves are usually in need of water. Black-eyed Susans, on the other hand, will suffer more from overwatering than underwatering. Never water if you’re unsure whether it’s necessary.

How to Feed Black-Eyed Susans

Give black-eyed Susans a spring feeding of Miracle-Gro® Rose & Bloom Plant Food when their new leaves grow. Because of the natural elements in this fertilizer—earthworm castings, bone meal, and kelp—you may expect an abundance of vibrant blooms.

How to Deal with Problems with Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are susceptible to powdery mildew during hot, humid summers. Keeping your plants’ leaves dry and leaving enough space between them to allow for proper airflow will assist you avoid this problem.

How to Deadhead and Prune Black-Eyed Susans

Deadheading Black-eyed Susans, which is removing spent, faded, or dried-up flowers when they’re past their prime, will extend their blooming time. Keep the stems short so you don’t leave dead, dried-out stems protruding from them. Keep a few flowers around after blooming has slowed so that they can generate seed for birds to eat and germinate into new plants next season.

Trim back some early summer black-eyed Susan stems by a third to extend the flowering period. Your cut-backs will blossom after your uncut-backs, allowing you to take pleasure in the flowers for an extended period.

How to Divide Black-Eyed Susans

If you plant black-eyed Susans, they’ll start to compete with each other. Dig up clumps of plants in the spring as soon as the plants begin to leaf out and use a fork or spade to separate them (or just cut the clumps in half). Replant the clumps of black-eyed Susans, giving them a little more area, and follow the instructions above for newly planted plants.

When can I separate black eyed Susans?

While they are dormant, generally in the fall or early spring, divide and relocate your black-eyed Susan bushes. Prior to the arrival of the cold weather in fall, it is best to transplant your black-eyed Susans. In addition, they will be able to get off to a better start in the spring.

Can you divide Black Eyed Susans in the summer?

Divide Black-Eyed Susans the Right Way. If you plant black-eyed Susans, they’ll start to compete with each other. Dig up clumps of plants in the spring as soon as the plants begin to leaf out and use a fork or spade to separate them (or just cut the clumps in half).

What is the best time to transplant Black Eyed Susans?

During the fall, divide and transplant the plants that bloom in the spring. The hardiness of black-eyed susans, on the other hand, makes them an excellent candidate for relocating. Since they remain dormant, the optimum time to transplant them is before the first frost (early spring or fall).

Do Black Eyed Susans multiply?

In the earth, the fibrous roots of black-eyed Susans grow horizontally. Pulling black-eyed Susans from your garden and saving the root parts will result in a new plant growing from the old one. By dividing the clumps in the fall after they have finished blooming, you can ensure a steady supply of fresh flowering plants.

How do I thin out Black Eyed Susans?

To facilitate transplanting, cut the foliage back to 6 inches from the ground. Using a sharp trowel or spading fork, prick the earth around your black-eyed Susan clumps approximately 6 inches from the outside leaf edges.

When can you move Rudbeckia?

Every four to five years, Rudbeckia can be divided in the spring or fall. When the plants are too large or the blossoms are little or decreased, it is better to divide them. Using a shovel or a garden fork, divide the plants and replant them in freshly spaded soil that has been enriched with compost or other organic matter, as needed.

Can I split my Rudbeckia?

Rudbeckias are hardy and reliable, providing stunning fountains of color throughout the summer and fall. Splitting the clumps will allow you to establish fresh, vibrant plants across the garden, while also reviving the original plant.

Do I cut back black-eyed Susans in the fall?

In order to maintain the plant neat and under control, remove any faded or wilted Black Eyed Susan blossoms as the season progresses. You can either prune Black Eyed Susan back in the fall, or leave the last blooms on the plants for the birds if you don’t mind having a few more Black Eyed Susans in the garden.

Can I cut back Black Eyed Susans in the spring?

They don’t affect the plant’s bloom cycle when pruned back in the fall or spring. Black Eyed Susan will begin to fade when the weather cools down.

Can you overwater Black Eyed Susans?

Despite their drought tolerance, you should still water the roots of Black Eyed Susans at least once a week, or more frequently if they appear stressed. You don’t want the soil to fully dry out. But watch out for over-watering as well. This can assist extend the blooming period of the plant.

Can you transplant Black Eyed Susans in bloom?

Perennials that bloom in the fall should be divided and transplanted in the spring, according to this rule of thumb. During the fall, divide and transplant the plants that bloom in the spring. Perennials such as Black-eyed Susans may withstand the hardship of being transferred.

Do black-eyed Susans come back each year?

While they may not begin blooming as early each year, if you choose one of the perennial types we carry, such as Sweet Black-eyed Susans or the cultivar Goldstrum, they will return year after year to brighten up your garden.

How long do black-eyed Susans live?

Cut black-eyed Susans last six to ten days in a vase.

Does Rudbeckia transplant well?

As a tough perennial that does well in transplants, Rudbeckia can be grown in zones 3 through 9 according to the USDA.

Can you transplant Black Eyed Susans in summer?

Perennials. Daylilies, bearded irises, sedums, black-eyed susans, ornamental grasses, purple coneflowers, Shasta daisies, penstemons, and summer phlox are among the perennials I’ve successfully moved during the summer.

Which plants can be divided?

Some examples of plants that can be separated are as follows: Asters, Agapanthus, Aster, Bergenia (elephant’s ears), Convallaria (lily-of-the-valley), Crocosmia, Dierama, Delphinium, Epimedium, Eryngium (sea holly), Euphorbia, Gentiana (gentian), Geranium, Helianthus, Hemerocallis (daylily), Hosta, Iris, Lychnis, etc

How do you split plants?

Perennials: how to divide them Use a spade or a fork to remove the parent plant. Using your hands, carefully pry out the plant and remove any loose dirt from the roots. Divide the plant into smaller sections using one of the following methods: Three to five robust shoots and a healthy supply of roots should be present in each division.

Transplanting Black Eyed Susan Babies to Save Money - YouTube

Conclusion

Black-eyed susans can be kept in good condition and new plants can be grown by division. Black-eyed susans can be divided in three simple steps, and the technique itself is pretty simple. When your plants are about three years old, this is the perfect time to accomplish this.

Reduce the size of the plant so that digging and lifting it will be easy. To make sectioning easier, you might cleanse the roots before dividing an overgrown clump. It’s important to plant the divisions right away so that the roots don’t get dry.

Water thoroughly and fertilize in the spring as soon as you see new growth, and don’t forget to do so. As an alternative to splitting your plants, you can cultivate black-eyed susans from seeds and cuttings. To ensure a healthy plant, start them indoors and then move them to a location with full sun.