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Flower profile

Peony

Quick facts

Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora. In SAF's language of flowers, peony means healing.

Peony at a glance

Meaning
healing
Colors
  • Pink
  • White
  • Red
  • Coral
  • Burgundy
  • Yellow
Vase life
5-8 days.
Season
Late spring to early summer; traditionally a spring/early-summer cut flower.
Special care
Buy soft, colored buds (the 'marshmallow' stage); rock-hard buds may not open. Re-cut stems at an angle and use flower food; support heavy heads. Keep cool and dry - never store wet, to avoid botrytis.
Size
A beloved late-spring flower with big, round, ruffled blooms 3 to 8 inches across, single or double, on 1 to 3 foot plants
Also called
Garden peony, Chinese peony

Pet safety

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

About peonies

A beloved late-spring flower with big, round, ruffled blooms 3 to 8 inches across, single or double, on 1 to 3 foot plants. Many are fragrant. A golf-ball bud can triple in size as it opens.

How to make peonies last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For peonies. Buy soft, colored buds (the 'marshmallow' stage); rock-hard buds may not open. Re-cut stems at an angle and use flower food; support heavy heads. Keep cool and dry - never store wet, to avoid botrytis.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about peonies

What does the peony mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the peony stands for "healing".

What colors do peonies come in?

Peonies come in pink, white, red, coral, burgundy and yellow.

How long do peonies last in a vase?

5-8 days. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for peonies?

Keep peonies cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For peonies: Buy soft, colored buds (the 'marshmallow' stage); rock-hard buds may not open. Re-cut stems at an angle and use flower food; support heavy heads. Keep cool and dry - never store wet, to avoid botrytis.

Are peonies safe around pets?

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

Where can I buy peonies?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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