Plant guide

Peony.

Paeonia lactiflora

Pronounced pee-OH-nee lak-ti-FLOR-uh

Also known as Chinese peony, Peony, Chinese peony, common garden peony, garden peony, white peony

Peonies are classic garden favorites known for their lush, fragrant blooms that return year after year. They thrive in temperate climates and are quite long lived when planted in the right spot. These perennials add a touch of elegance to any sunny garden bed.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Slow

Care

Plant your peonies in a spot with well draining soil and ensure the eyes are not buried too deep. Watch for signs of botrytis blight like gray mold or wilting stems during damp weather. Keep the area around the base clear of debris to promote good air circulation.

Watering: Water deeply at the base to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring as new growth emerges.
Pruning: Cut the foliage back to the ground in late autumn after the first frost.
Repotting: Peonies prefer to stay in one place and rarely need moving once established.
Soil: Rich, well draining, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5

Safety

Pets: Peonies can cause mild to moderate digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs.

How to identify it

Large, showy, multi-petaled flowers
Glossy, dark green compound leaves
Sturdy, upright herbaceous stems
Deep, tuberous root systems

Science

Family: Paeoniaceae
Genus: Paeonia
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your peony looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.