If you’re planting peonies for the first time, one of the most common questions is: How long until peonies bloom?
The short answer: bare root peonies usually begin producing abundant flowers in their third year.
But what happens in years one and two makes all the difference for the health and productivity of your plants. Let’s look at the timeline more closely.
Year 1: Root Establishment (Little to No Blooms)
Most standard bare root peonies are sold with 3–5 eyes. In their first year:
Expect little to no bloom.
Plants are focusing on building strong roots.
Many growers disbud (remove all flower buds when pea-sized) so the plant puts all energy into root establishment.
At Tanglebloom Flower Farm (Zone 5, Vermont), we take a slightly different approach. We let one bloom open per plant in year 1 so we can confirm true variety. This has not shown to have a negative affect on future flower abundance—but it ensures we know exactly what we’ve planted.
Year 2: First Signs of Production
By the second year:
You may see a few blooms per plant.
Traditional advice says to continue disbudding, but…
On our farm, we allow a handful of flowers to open and harvest short stems.
Why? Because this lets us start using blooms in arrangements earlier and begin recouping our investment. Our students inside The Peony Course often find this strategy helps them earn back money a full year sooner—without sacrificing long-term plant health.
Year 3: The Payoff Year
Year three is when things really get exciting. This is when peonies begin reaching peak production:
Expect 10–30 stems per plant (we forecast using 20 as an average).
Some “workhorse” varieties can produce 40+ stems per plant.
Harvest more freely and start selling in volume.
Years 4–5: Peak Bloom and Beyond
By year 4 or 5, most peonies hit their stride. Plants are fully established and producing reliably each spring. With good care, they will:
Remain productive for 50+ years
Sometimes live and bloom for a century
Provide both beauty and consistent farm income—making peonies a true legacy crop
Potted vs. Bare Root Peonies
If you buy a potted peony from a nursery or garden center, it’s usually already 2–3 years old. This means:
You may see blooms sooner than with bare roots.
You’ll pay a premium ($30–50 per plant) compared to wholesale bare roots ($7–15 each).
For small-scale flower farmers, starting with bare roots is the most cost-effective way to build a profitable peony patch.
The Bottom Line
Bare root peonies generally begin abundant blooming in their third year, with peak production between years 3–5. With proper planting and care, they’ll reward you with decades—even beyond a lifetime—of flowers and profit.