Download brochure

Free brochure
growing peonies in pots

Growing peonies in pots

  • Blog
  • 25 August 2023

Growing peonies in pots takes effort, but it is a suitable alternative if you can’t grow them in your yard. Peonies are very popular, because of their beautiful flowers. In this blog, we will explain to you how to grow peonies in containers.

Choose the right pot for peonies

Peonies have deep roots and these like to spread out wide. These roots don’t like to be moved once they are established. Therefore, it’s important to put them into a big pot from the start. Choose a pot that is at least 20 inches wide and deep. Besides, the pot should have drainage holes. Peony tubers will rot if they sit in soggy potting soil, so it’s essential that excess water can escape.

Plant peonies in pots properly

When you have the right container, you are ready to plant the peony roots. First fill the pot with a potting soil mix that provides good drainage. Then plant your peonies at the proper dept. Planting them too deep can reduce flowering.

peonies in pots growing

Find the correct spot

It’s important that the peonies have at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. A little afternoon shade is good and can extend the life of your blooms. Besides, you should protect your plants from high winds and heavy rain. This can cause them to topple over. The right spot is essential to grow peonies in pots.

Watering the peonies

Peonies need evenly moist soil, but they don’t like sitting in soggy spots. Peonies in pots dry out faster than ground-planted peonies. Check the soil every few days and when the top couple of inches are dry, then water them until excess runs out of the bottom of the pot.

Overwintering peonies in pots

Peonies in pots are less protected from the winter cold than peonies in the ground. You should cut the foliage back to the base in late fall when leaves begin to drop off. This can help to prevent peony diseases. Besides, you can add a heavy layer of mulch overtop and move the pot to an indoor area (for example, a garage) until warm weather returns.

Enjoy the blooms!

With proper care and attention, growing peonies in pots will have a wonderful payoff. By following our guide, you can create a beautiful container garden and enjoy the beauty of peonies season after season.

Do you need further information about growing peonies in pots? Or are you curious about the prices of our peony roots? Then please contact us. Groot & Groot supplies peony flowers and peony cuttings in wholesale quantities. We supply worldwide to professional growers and (export) wholesalers. At Groot & Groot we are able to grow peonies all year round. So we are not seasonal. It is also possible to email us directly: info@grootgroot.nl or call: +(31) (6) 110 60 243. We would like to help you!

Written by

Joost Groot (COO)

Cultivation and HR & Organization

Owner specialized in Cultivation & Organization
Wide range of experience in the cultivation of peonies both for flower and bare root production in multiple climate zones.