Peonies are amazing flowers that come in every color but blue and can live to be up to 100 years old! Peonies come in so many different shapes and sizes and have a long line of history in many different cultures. They are traditionally grown in the ground but can thrive in pots with the right care. So, how do you grow beautiful Peonies in pots? We researched and broke it down into three easy steps!
- Picking a healthy plant, good soil, and a suitable container is vital.
- Plant your peonies in a good spot and care for their daily needs.
- Prune, feed, and rest your peonies to help them thrive.
Growing Peonies in pots is relatively similar to growing them in the ground. The significant difference is they are more susceptible to freezing, making the pruning step especially vital.
Choosing a container
Peonies are one of the more difficult plants to grow because they have such large root systems, so it’s important not only for their health but also how well you’ll be able to move them around in your garden. For this reason I recommend using pots that have many drainage holes on bottom!
In order to keep your peonies healthy, it is important that they have enough room. Young nursery-sized plants should be planted no less than 1 1/2 feet into soil and larger varieties require a container at least 18″ wide with ample depth (for their height). Larger old types need more space–18″-24 inch diameter pots are recommended for them if growing in containers.
Choosing the right free-draining compost
Once you have picked the container and drilled extra drainage holes just to be on the safe side, you need to consider what soil you will use. The soil needs to be very loose, well-draining but of course perfectly fertile. If you can find a mixture of 65% soil-based compost such as John Innes potting compost with 35% perlite that will keep it as buoyant and loose as your peony needs. You can also mix together gravel with your compost if you want to substitute the perlite.
How to plant a peony
When you plant your peony, put the tuber in the pot in the springtime with the eyes facing upward, and add a few inches of soil over the top. If you plant it any deeper than this it might not bloom and that’s certainly not what you want. At the time you plant your peony you can always add a slow-release fertiliser tablets into the soil to give it an extra boost. Once you plant everything, water it evenly but don’t overwater.
How to Grow Peonies in Pots
It’s time to give your peony plants a major makeover! Peonies are one of the most delicate flowers in existence. The soil they need to grow is specific and can’t just be any old potting mix.
We recommend filling the container with topsoil and perlite (65% top soil, and 35% perlite).
Light Requirements
Place the container in an area where you can find shade for your potted peonies, but they still get plenty of sunlight. A spot with dappled light is perfect!
Watering Requirements
Water your peonies at least once a week if you want them to last. They thrive in the sun and can withstand drought but like all plants they need moisture too.
A little bit goes along way with these flowers – just make sure not to overdo it or let their soil dry out completely before giving them more water again.
Fertilizer
If you want your peonies to be vibrant and full of life, it’s important that they are fed in the early spring. Too much fertilizer can burn their roots so don’t use anything higher than 5-10-10. Add more fertilizer again after they are finished blooming for the season.
Diseases and pests
In containers you will find that your peony is remarkably resistant to diseases and pests with the exception of root rot which, assuming you follow the directions for proper drainage shouldn’t be a problem either.
Overall a peony is an elegant plant, bringing forth stunning flowers every spring and you will be rewarded for decades to come by giving your container-grown peony just a little bit of extra effort.