How to Grow Peonies
Paeonia
Lush, fragrant late-spring blooms from a perennial that can outlive you.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About peonies
Peonies are long-lived perennials famous for their enormous, often fragrant late-spring flowers. Slow to establish but extraordinarily durable, a well-sited peony can bloom for fifty years or more with almost no care. The secret to success is planting them at the right shallow depth and then leaving them undisturbed.
When to plant and harvest peonies
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Not applicable — plant bare-root divisions
Transplant outdoors
Plant in fall
Direct sow
Plant roots in early fall
Harvest
Late spring to early summer
How to grow peonies step by step
- 1
Plant bare-root divisions in early fall, setting the pink "eyes" just 1–2 in below the surface — planting too deep is the #1 cause of no blooms.
- 2
Choose a permanent, sunny, well-drained spot; peonies hate being moved.
- 3
Water well to establish and mulch lightly the first winter.
- 4
Be patient — plants often take 2–3 years to hit full stride.
- 5
Support large double varieties with rings to keep heavy blooms off the ground.
- 6
Cut foliage to the ground in fall to reduce disease.
Common problems growing peonies
⚠ Healthy plant but no flowers
Almost always planted too deep — the eyes should sit just 1–2 in below the surface. Too much shade or a recent move also delays bloom.
⚠ Buds blacken and fail (botrytis)
Improve airflow, cut and destroy affected growth, and clear all foliage in fall.
⚠ Ants on the buds
Harmless — ants are drawn to the sweet bud nectar and do no damage; just shake them off cut stems.
✓ Good companions for peonies
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting peonies
Cut peonies for the vase at the "marshmallow" stage — when buds feel soft like a marshmallow but aren’t yet open — and they’ll unfurl indoors for days of bloom. Cut in the cool morning, and don’t worry about the ants; just shake them off the stems.
Peonies: frequently asked questions
Why won’t my peony bloom?＋
The most common reason is planting too deep — the growth eyes should be just 1–2 inches below the soil. Too much shade, or disturbing the plant, can also stop flowering.
Do I need to get rid of the ants on peony buds?＋
No — the ants are simply feeding on the buds’ sweet nectar and cause no harm. Just shake them off any stems you bring indoors.
Grow peonies in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside peonies, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
