#ProPlantTips On Planting Bareroot Peonies

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Peonies have always been a garden favorite, but Bareroot Peonies are a great value, and fall is the perfect time to plant them! These hardy perennials burst into magnificent blooms from early spring through early summer, so it's no wonder more gardeners are adding them to their landscape designs every year.

As Bare Root Peony popularity continues to grow, let's dig into how to plant them successfully so everyone enjoys lush, blooming success come spring! Because who wants a Peony-less spring garden? Not us!

Follow along as Nature Hills outlines the 4 simple steps to planting a Bareroot Peony, plus proper Peony care tips to keep them thriving for decades.

How To Plant Your Bare Root Peony
1. Choose Your Site
2. Prepare The Soil
3. Place Your Peony
4. Time To Water
Proper Peony Care
Protecting Your Peonies With Plant Sentry™

How To Plant Your Bare Root Peony

What's the difference between a Bareroot Peony and a potted Peony? “Bare root” simply means the plant is dug up while dormant, the soil removed, and the roots cleaned before shipping.

Dug from the field in late summer
Soil is removed and roots trimmed to 3–5 stem divisions
'Eyes' (growth buds) on the roots look like tiny potato sprouts

Learn more about Bareroot plants in our #ProPlantTips Bareroot Blog. Now let's get planting!

1. Choose Your Site

Once your Peonies arrive, it's planting time! You can refrigerate them briefly if needed, but sooner is better.

Best Planting Time: Fall, when the air is cool but the soil is still warm
Sun: Full sun with afternoon shade in hot regions
Soil: Well-draining and nutrient-rich, with neutral pH
Location: Give roots 3+ feet to stretch away from trees or shrubs
Wind: Avoid windy areas or use a natural windbreak to prevent stem damage

2. Prepare The Soil

Peonies love soil that's been prepped with care.

Soak the Bareroot Peony in water while you dig the hole
Dig roughly 18 inches wide and a shovel's length deep
Position the eyes upward about 1 inch below the surface
In mild climates, keep buds closer to the surface
In colder areas, plant 2 inches deep for protection
Do not bury too deeply, as it can prevent flowering!

3. Place Your Peony

Now comes the fun part, planting your Peony for good!

Set the Peony roots in place, eyes up, at the right depth
Backfill soil gently but firmly to remove air pockets
Mix in a slow-release fertilizer for a strong start

4. Time To Water

Give your new Peony a good drink to settle it in.

Use a gentle hose stream to soak the soil
Watch for soil to settle, that's air escaping
Mark the planting spot so you remember where it's resting underground

Check out watering tips from our experts to help your Peonies establish faster.

Proper Peony Care

Peonies reward patience. These perennials may take a few years to hit their stride, but once established, they're spectacular!

Year 1: Only about half may bloom
Year 2: Most should bloom beautifully
Year 3: Expect more stems and fuller blossoms

Peonies thrive with a “less is more” attitude. They prefer to be left alone!

Fertilize lightly in early summer after blooming, every few years
Add arborist mulch to hold moisture and reduce weeds
Provide support for heavy flower heads using tomato cages or stakes
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage fresh growth
Use Peony blossoms as long-lasting cut flowers

Cut flower tip: Harvest Peonies just as the buds show color. Wrap each bloom in newspaper and store in the fridge with stems in water. Unwrap when ready to enjoy, one bouquet at a time!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify a healthy bareroot peony before planting?

A healthy bareroot peony will have firm, plump roots with no soft spots or signs of rot, along with clearly visible eyes (growth buds) that resemble small reddish or pinkish potato sprouts. Nature Hills ships bareroot peonies with 3 to 5 stem divisions, which is the ideal number for a strong start. Before planting, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them, and discard any roots that are mushy, shriveled, or show signs of mold. Plant promptly after inspection, positioning the eyes upward and no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface for best results.

Should you soak bareroot peonies before planting?

Yes, you should soak bareroot peonies in water before planting. This rehydrates the roots after shipping and helps reduce transplant stress. Simply place the roots in a bucket of water while you dig and prepare your planting hole, then get them in the ground as soon as possible for the best results.

How should you prepare soil before planting bareroot peonies?

Peonies thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral pH, so take time to prepare the bed properly before planting. Dig a hole roughly 18 inches wide and a shovel's length deep, and soak the bareroot in water while you work. When backfilling, mix in a slow-release fertilizer to give the roots a strong nutritional foundation from the start.

How deep should you plant bareroot peonies?

Plant bareroot peony eyes approximately 1 inch below the soil surface in most climates, though gardeners in colder regions should go a bit deeper at around 2 inches for added winter protection. Avoid the common mistake of burying them too deep, as this is one of the top reasons peonies fail to bloom. Set the roots in your prepared hole with the eyes facing upward, backfill gently to eliminate air pockets, and water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

How do you replant or transplant established peony roots?

Transplanting established peonies is best done in early fall, once temperatures cool but the soil remains workable, typically September through October depending on your zone. Carefully dig around the entire root clump, lift it out, and divide the roots into sections with 3 to 5 eyes each using a clean sharp knife. Replant divisions so the eyes sit no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, as planting too deep is the most common reason peonies fail to bloom. Water thoroughly after planting and be patient, as transplanted peonies may take a full season or two to reestablish before flowering again.

How long does it take for bareroot peonies to bloom after planting?

Bareroot peonies typically take 2 to 3 years after planting to produce their first full, spectacular blooms, with the first season often yielding little to no flowers as the plant establishes its root system. This patience pays off, as a well-planted peony can thrive and bloom reliably for decades. To give your bareroot peony the best start, plant in fall with the eyes no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, since planting too deep is the most common reason peonies fail to flower.

How do you plant bareroot peonies step by step?

Planting bareroot peonies successfully comes down to four key steps: choosing the right site, preparing the soil, placing the roots correctly, and watering thoroughly. Select a full-sun location with well-draining soil, soak the bareroot in water while you dig a hole about 18 inches wide and a shovel's length deep, then set the roots eyes-up with the buds just 1 inch below the surface (or 2 inches in colder climates). Backfill gently, mix in a slow-release fertilizer, and finish with a deep watering to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Fall is the ideal time to plant, so get your bareroot peonies in the ground as soon as they arrive for the best chance at blooms come spring.

Should you plant bareroot peonies in fall or spring?

Fall is the ideal time to plant bareroot peonies, as the cool air combined with still-warm soil gives roots time to establish before winter dormancy. Spring planting is possible but generally less successful, since peonies need that fall establishment period to settle in and bloom reliably. Plant your bareroot peony as soon as it arrives, positioning the eyes just 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface depending on your climate, and water it in well to help the roots get anchored before the ground freezes.

Why are my bareroot peonies not growing after planting?

Bareroot peonies are slow to establish and may show little to no growth in their first season, which is completely normal. The most common reason for failure to bloom or grow is planting the eyes too deep, so make sure the buds are set no more than 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, as deeper planting can prevent flowering entirely. If you planted in fall, be patient through winter and watch for growth emerging in early spring once soil temperatures warm. Double-check your planting depth first, ensure the site receives full sun, and avoid disturbing the roots, as peonies reward patience and proper placement with decades of blooms.

How do you care for bareroot peonies after planting to help them establish?

After planting, water your bareroot peony thoroughly with a gentle hose stream to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets, then keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged as the roots establish. Avoid the temptation to over-fertilize in the first season; the slow-release fertilizer mixed in at planting time is enough to give roots a strong start. In colder zones, a light layer of mulch can help protect the planting area through winter, but pull it back in spring so the eyes can emerge freely. Monitor for healthy shoot emergence in early spring, and be patient since bareroot peonies may take a season or two to produce their first full flush of blooms.