A preparative liquid chromatograph including an analysis channel (2), an injector (6), a separation column (8), a detector (10), a plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n), a switching valve (12) that switches fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n) to be connected to the outlet of the detector (10) among the plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n), and a controller (16) for controlling operations of the plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n) and the switching valve (12). In a case where the number of remaining unused collection containers of the fraction collector in use, which is connected to the outlet of the detector, falls below the number of buffers which is an integer of two or more, the controller (16) is configured to switch the switching valve (12) while the fraction collector in use is not performing a peak collection operation.