How Deep to Plant Peonies

Peonies should be planted very shallow — with the buds (or “eyes”) positioned only 3–5 cm below the soil surface. Planting deeper than this is the number one reason peonies fail to bloom. Correct planting depth allows buds to experience winter chill, recharge, and reliably flower year after year.

Why Planting Depth Matters So Much

Peonies are unlike most perennials. Their flower buds form on underground crowns and require exposure to cold soil temperatures in winter to “reset.” If crowns are buried too deep, soil insulates them, reducing the chill they need to trigger blooms. Shallow planting also ensures new shoots can break through easily in spring, conserving the plant’s stored root energy for bud production instead of stem stretching.

Plant too deep and you’ll get healthy leaves with no flowers. Plant too shallow and roots may dry out. Hitting the 3–5 cm depth is the sweet spot that guarantees balance.

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Step-by-Step: Planting Peonies at the Right Depth

Prepare the soil: Dig a wide hole (30–40 cm deep and across) and enrich it with compost or well-rotted organic matter. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Set the crown: Place the peony crown with buds facing upward, ensuring they sit no deeper than 3–5 cm below the finished soil line.
Backfill carefully: Gently return soil over the crown, firming lightly but not compacting. Peonies dislike being smothered by heavy soils.
Spacing: Position each plant 60–90 cm apart. Peonies expand slowly but live for decades, forming wide clumps over time.
Water in: Water deeply to settle the soil around the roots, then mulch lightly to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Planting in Pots vs Garden Beds

In garden beds, follow the 3–5 cm planting depth rule strictly. In pots, the same rule applies, but drainage becomes even more important. Choose a container at least 40 cm deep with wide diameter, and use a free-draining potting mix. Container-grown peonies are more prone to nutrient loss, so pair shallow planting with consistent feeding using a balanced liquid fertiliser such as CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20.

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Common Depth Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Planted too deep: Produces healthy foliage but few or no flowers. Solution: lift and replant in autumn at the correct 3–5 cm depth.
Planted too shallow: Buds may dry out, and roots risk exposure. Solution: add a light mulch layer to protect roots without burying buds.
Over-mulching: Mulch thicker than 5 cm can act like soil and bury crowns too deep over time. Keep mulch thin around the crown itself.

FAQs on Planting Peonies

How deep do I plant bare-root peonies? Set buds 3–5 cm below the soil surface. Deeper planting delays or prevents blooming.

Can I fix a peony planted too deep? Yes — replant in autumn when the plant is dormant. Lifting and re-setting crowns is the only long-term solution.

Does planting depth affect bloom size? Yes. Shallow, correct planting gives stronger, earlier blooms. Deep planting leads to smaller or absent flowers.

By planting peonies with crowns no deeper than 3–5 cm, you give them the perfect balance of protection and exposure. Combined with full sun, rich but well-drained soil, and seasonal feeding using CompleteGrow fertilisers, your peonies will reward you with decades of reliable, spectacular blooms.