How to Germinate Peonies

Peonies are large-headed, brightly colored flowers. They are a graceful addition to any yard, and in the fall, they produce large pods that are full of seeds. Peonies are perennial plants that return year after year, but if you would like some new plants to add to your garden or you would like to give your friends or families some peonies of their own, collect the seeds in the fall and germinate them into full-grown plants.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Plastic bag
• Vermiculite
• Mister
• Peony seeds

1. Add about ¼ cup of vermiculite to a plastic bag.
2. Mist the vermiculite with water using a plant mister lightly. The vermiculite should be barely moist, not drenched.
3. Place five to 10 peony seeds into the bag.
4. Seal the bag.
5. Place the bag in warm area of the house. Do not place them in the sun, though indirect light is fine.
6. Check them once a week for sprouts and to moisten the soil with the mister. Depending on the conditions and the peony cultivar, it may take several weeks to several months for the peonies to sprout.
7. Wait until the roots are about 1 inch long.
8. Place the bag in a dark cool place, where the temperature is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You may choose to place them in a basement or in the back of the refrigerator.
9. Leave the bag alone until the shoot appears. The shoot is the portion of the plant that becomes the stem. This typically takes 10 to 12 weeks. Check the peony seeds every few days to see if the shoot has appeared.
10. Plant the spout once the shoot appears.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient when waiting for flowers. It may take five to seven years for a peony plant to produce flowers.