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Paeonia officinalis

Common Peony · European Peony · Garden Peony

Family PaeoniaceaeGenus Paeonia

A crimson peony with golden stamens above dark divided leaves
FlowerIsidre blancCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
1.5-2 ft45-60 cmPlant Finder
Spread
1.5-2 ft45-60 cmPlant Finder
Flower
Showy, fragrant; crimson redPlant Finder
Blooms
MayPlant Finder
Native range
EuropePlant Finder
Hardiness zones
8-10Plant Finder
Note
Nicking the seed, reported to help in the first edition, did not hold up. GA-3 gave only a small gain.Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed.

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shadePlant Finder
Soil
Rich, fertile, moist, well-drainedPlant Finder
Watering
MediumPlant Finder

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno.

Worth knowing

  • The common peony was first grown as medicine and only later as an ornamental. The wild species is now uncommon in gardens. Wikipedia: Paeonia officinalis

This source reports 6 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 12, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 11, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The radicle and its branching root system form here. This is what Deno counts as germination.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The single true leaf forms only now. Germination is hypogeal.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 240 days.

100% germination in 90–240 days.

Every seed. Six months dry at 40 first, then simply warmth -- and patience.

This source doesn't state how long step 2 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 12, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on November 11, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The radicle and its branching root system form here. This is what Deno counts as germination.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The single true leaf forms only now. Germination is hypogeal.

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 150 days.

94% germination in 90–150 days.

Stored at 70 the seed does better started cold: 94%, against 63% started warm.

This source doesn't state how long step 3 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 12, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 11, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The radicle and its branching root system form here. This is what Deno counts as germination.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The single true leaf forms only now. Germination is hypogeal.

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 120 days.

85% germination in 60–120 days.

Faster than the 100% route by a couple of months, and fifteen points worse.

This source doesn't state how long step 3 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 6, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    67% here, in the fourth month. The radicle and its branching root system form here. This is what Deno counts as germination.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 12%.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    A further 6%. The single true leaf forms only now. Germination is hypogeal.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 120 days.

67% germination in 120 days.

Fresh seed: 67% in the fourth month, then 12% and 6% over the next two cycles.

This source doesn't state how long step 3 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 15, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    63% here. The radicle and its branching root system form here. This is what Deno counts as germination.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 9%.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    The single true leaf forms only now. Germination is hypogeal.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 84 days.

63% germination in 42–84 days.

Quicker than fresh seed at 70, and no better in the end. Start this lot cold instead.

This source doesn't state how long step 4 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    12% here.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    A further 20%.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    A further 18%.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    A last 2%.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

20% germination.

Fresh seed started cold dribbles: 12, 20, 18 and 2 per cent over four cycles.

This source doesn't state how long step 5 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, PaeoneaPublic domain
Show the original text
Paeonea (Ranunculacèae). Nicking the seeds of P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa was reported to give some promotion to germination in the first edition, but this has not been confirmed in later and more extensive experiments. P:anomala, emodi, lutea, mlkosewetschii, obovata, and vernalis germ. at 70. similar to P.officinalis. Germination consists of forming a radicle and a branching root system. This requires about 2 m after which the seedlings are given 3 m at 40. On shifting back to 70 the true leaf forms (hypogeal). Germination was hypogeal in all but P. brownii,tand all germ. at 70 except P. broteri and P. brownii. These germ. at 40. Treatment with GA-3 gave a small increase in rate of germination in P. officinalis and P. suffruticosa. P. off icinalis'germ. at 70 with an approximate first order rate with ind. t. of 40 d and a half life of 10 d. Thus germination at 70 extends much beyond 3 m. Some specific data are 70(67% in 4th m)-40(12%)-70(6%) and 40-70(12%)-40(20%)-70(18%)-40(2%) using fresh seed. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ: .70(63% in 6-12w)-40(9%) and 40-70(94% in 3-5 m).. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(100% in 3-8 m) and 40-70(85% in 2-4 m).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Paeonea. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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