Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Seeding and Propagation

Iris Seed Pods, Cross-Pollination, and Rhizome Division

Irises produce seed pods (some hybrids sterile). Colors cross-pollinate if nearby. Planting all pinks together is fine; one color won't "take over" but vigor varies. My white/purple iris multiplies faster than others.

Propagate mainly by rhizome division every 3 years to prevent crowding and maintain blooms. Self-seeding rarely problematic except yellow water iris (invasive in US).

Seeding and Propagation: Resources for Bearded Iris Greenhouse Propagation; Iris vs. Gladiolus: Same Family, Different Looks; Iris Transplant Shock: Why Leaves Wilt After Planting and How to Recover; Facts About Purple Iris; The Story of the Iris Flower: Varieties and History; How to Grow Irises: Types, Planting, and Care; Iris Flowers: Types, Planting, Care, and Solving Rot & Borer Problems; The Other Irises: Japanese and Siberian Irises for Multi-Season Beauty; Bearded Iris: A Dazzling Array of Colors and Forms; Hardy Hybrid Iris: Siberian Iris for Cold Climates

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