How to Grow Peonies in Containers
Peonies typically grow outdoors in gardens, but you can also grow them in big containers since they have larger roots than other plants. There are several varieties of peonies. Tree peonies are best for containers since they are smaller than the herbaceous and inter-sectional varieties. For best results, plant your peony in the fall.
Fill the container with about 2 inches of gravel and well draining soil. All-purpose potting soil high in nutrients will suffice. Use a large container at least a 12 inches wide and 1 ½ feet deep. The container should have holes for drainage. It should also be light colored so it does not absorb too much heat, which can harm the plant.
- Peonies typically grow outdoors in gardens, but you can also grow them in big containers since they have larger roots than other plants.
- Tree peonies are best for containers since they are smaller than the herbaceous and inter-sectional varieties.
Plant one peony in the center of the container with the top of the root 2 inches under the top of the soil. The bottom of the root is generally about 12 inches deep. Cover the root with soil and pat it down to eliminate air pockets.
Water the peony and keep it evenly moist. Mulch to accomplish this. Do not over water. It is better to let the peony dry out at times than to over water.
- Plant one peony in the center of the container with the top of the root 2 inches under the top of the soil.
- Cover the root with soil and pat it down to eliminate air pockets.
Cut back the peony after the growing season, usually in the fall. Tree peonies will shed their leaves, but if you have herbaceous and inter-sectional peonies, cut them back within and inch or two of the soil.
Keep your peony in a cold environment for the winter. They need cold weather to go dormant. Because it is in a container and not in the ground, deep freezing is a concern. Keep the peony from going into a deep freeze by placing it in an area close to freezing temperature, such as a garage or crawl space.
Grow Peonies In Containers
can grow well in containers. Common garden peonies (Paeonia lactiflora), which are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, are herbaceous perennials that die down in fall. Peonies need large containers with drainage holes. A 5-gallon container is usually large enough for one peony. Common garden peonies don't tolerate transplanting well, and tree peonies are slow-growing, so both plants should stay in their containers for three or four years. Mix 2 shovels of potting soil with 1 shovel of manure or compost, and fill the containers with this mixture. Every spring, when new growth appears on the peonies, scrape the loose potting soil mixture from the surface of the containers and replace it with fresh mixture. Water the peonies when the soil surface is dry. You can replace water with fertilizer solution if the peonies need watering.
- Cut back the peony after the growing season, usually in the fall.
- Common garden peonies don't tolerate transplanting well, and tree peonies are slow-growing, so both plants should stay in their containers for three or four years.
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Writer Bio
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
