Techniques for partitioning nested tables are provided. A parent table includes a column for collection items. A nested table is created for storing items that belong to the collection items. The nested table is partitioned to create a plurality of nested table partitions. Each nested table partition is a distinct, separately stored structure within a database. How the nested table is partitioned may, or may not, be based on how the parent table is partitioned. For example, a nested table may be partitioned based on the same criteria in which the parent table is partitioned. As another example, a nested table may be partitioned, whereas the parent table is not partitioned.