Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Planting a Peony in a Pot
• Part 2 of 2: Caring for your peony
• Tips

Peonies are hardy plants from zones 3-8. However, they perform at their best in regions where the weather is slightly cold in winter. In zones 8 and 9, these plants may not flower if the temperature stays warmer than they like during the “colder” periods of the year. It is relatively easy to grow peonies in a pot.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Planting a Peony in a Pot

1. 1 Choose a peony that will fit the pot. Peonies (Paeonia spp. And hybrids) are usually grown outdoors, but they can also be grown in a pot. Choose a variety that, by nature, remains smaller.
   • Some peonies such as "Zhao Fen" (Tree peony "Zhao Fen" or "Zhao Pink") can grow to a height of 0.9 m to 1.8 m and a width of 0.6 m to 1.2 m.
   • Two smaller, more suitable variants of "Zhu Sha Pan" (Peony "Zhu Sha Pan" or "Kinnabar Red"), which grows in height and width from 0.6 m to 0.75 m, and "Narrow-leaved peony" (Paeonia tenuifolia), which grows only 0.3 - 0.6 meters in height and 22 to 49 cm in width.
2. 2 Choose the right pot for your peony. Pot the peony in early spring. Place it in a container that is at least 30 cm in diameter and 45-60 cm deep to give the peony plenty of room to grow.
   • Larger varieties will require an even larger pot. The container should also have several drainage holes at the bottom.
   • Growers should also note that these plants do not respond well to transplanting and must start their lives in large containers. Thus, a 5 liter pot is ideal for peonies.
3. 3 Fill the container so it is half full with peat potting soil. Place the tuber on top of the potting mix to check the depth. There should be no more than 2.5-5 cm of soil above the top of the tuber.
   • When the potting mix is ​​at the correct depth, mix the water with it until the mixture is wet.
4. 4 Add compost to the soil. Before planting peony bulbs, it is a good idea to sprinkle the compost in the soil for additional nutrients.
   • In spring, peonies are also advised to add a small amount of slow release fertilizer with low nitrogen content.
   • This will help keep them healthy and encourage flowering, but will not burn the plants like other types of fertilizers.
5. 5 Place the peony tuber on top of the wet mixture with "eyes" or buds growing upwards. Finish filling the pot with potting soil and pour over until the water runs out from the bottom. Peony bulbs should be covered with only 2.5-5 cm of soil.
   • Gardeners need to be careful in such cases, because peonies that are too deep will not bloom.
   • Instances that produce lush foliage but not flowers may need to be dug up and transplanted to the correct depth before they can produce flowers.

Part 2 of 2: Caring for your peony

1. 1 Give the peony the light it loves. Set up the container outdoors in a protected area where the peony will get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Peonies require a lot of light to grow and color.
   • If the peony will be grown indoors, place it in front of the south or west side of a window, where it will receive plenty of direct sunlight.
2. 2 Use grow lamps in addition to natural light. Grow lights are essential to supplement natural light. Use a four-lamp fluorescent light fixture with two dedicated full-spectrum 40-watt fluorescent lamps and two 40-watt cool white lamps.
   • Adjust the device so that the lamps are 15 cm higher than the peony and leave it for 12-14 hours every day.
   • The lamp must be connected to a timer that turns it on in the morning at sunrise and turns it off at the end of the day.
3. 3 Water the peony. Water the peony when the top 2.5 cm of the potting mix is ​​dry. Pour the water evenly over the potting mix until the water runs off the bottom of the pot.
4. 4 Feed your peony with houseplant fertilizer. When the peony has new stems, start giving it houseplant fertilizer every four weeks.
   • It is important to use fertilizer for indoor plants, as opposed to fertilizer for garden peonies, as it is grown in a container.
   • Water soluble fertilizer is best. Always fertilize after regular watering. Stop feeding around mid-summer.
5. 5 Prepare the plant for a dormant period. In late summer, water the peony less often.Let the soil dry completely before watering it again to encourage the peony to retire for the winter. Peonies should have two to three months of rest.
   • If the peony is grown indoors, slowly reduce the additional hours of light to coincide with the short autumn days.
   • If the peony is outdoors, leave it until the first bitter frost.
6. 6 Trim the stems and move the plant to a cool, dark place. When the leaves begin to turn yellow and die, use a hand pruner to cut the stems.
   • Place the pot in an unheated garage or cool place in your basement. Take it out again in the spring when it gets warmer.
   • Place it outdoors in a sunny location or in front of a window and water abundantly.

Tips

• Peonies tend to bloom more profusely after they reach full maturity at 3 years of age.
• Those who grow peonies should avoid watering the plant heads because it can encourage disease and other pests to take hold.