1.     Seed Collection: Harvest peony seeds from mature seed pods. Peony seed pods will turn brown and split open when the seeds are ready for collection. Collect the seeds and remove them from the pods.

2.     Seed Cleaning: Clean the seeds by removing any debris or chaff. Rinse the seeds in water to ensure they are free of any remaining pod material.

3.     Seed Stratification: Peony seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy and improve germination rates. Place the cleaned seeds in a sealable plastic bag with slightly moistened vermiculite, peat moss, or a paper towel. Seal the bag and store it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35-41°F (2-5°C) for about 3 to 4 months. This mimics the winter conditions that the seeds would experience in their natural environment.

4.     Seed Sowing: After the cold stratification period, prepare a seed tray or small pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Moisten the soil lightly before sowing the seeds. Sow the peony seeds on the surface of the soil and gently press them into the soil, but do not cover them, as peony seeds require light to germinate.

5.     Germination Conditions: Place the seed tray or pots in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Maintain a temperature around 65-75°F (18-24°C). Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

6.     Seedling Care: Germination can take several weeks or even months for peony seeds. Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or containers. Provide them with bright light and continue to maintain appropriate moisture levels.

7.     Transplanting Outdoors: Peony seedlings can be transplanted outdoors once they are well-established and the weather is suitable. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

It's important to be patient when germinating peony seeds, as they may take some time to sprout. Additionally, peonies grown from seeds may not exhibit the same characteristics as the parent plant since they are often hybrids. For more reliable and consistent results, peonies are typically propagated through division, where new plants are produced by separating and replanting sections of an established peony root system. This ensures that the new plants retain the same characteristics as the parent plant.

Peonies (Paeonia) are not commonly grown from seeds due to their slow and unpredictable germination rates. The germination rate of peony seeds can be relatively low, and not all seeds may successfully germinate. On average, the germination rate of peony seeds can range from 10% to 30%.

Peonies are typically propagated through other methods, such as division or cuttings, as they produce new plants that are true to the parent plant's characteristics. Division involves separating and replanting sections of an established peony root system, while cuttings involve rooting stem cuttings from an existing peony plant.

These vegetative propagation methods are more reliable and efficient for producing new peony plants that are identical to the parent plant. While growing peonies from seeds can be a fascinating experiment, it requires patience and a willingness to wait for potentially several years before seeing the results. As such, many gardeners and commercial growers prefer to propagate peonies through division or cuttings to ensure consistent and desirable traits in the new plants.