If you’re considering adding peonies to your small flower farm, you probably want to know one thing first: are they worth it financially? From my experience at Tanglebloom, the answer is a resounding yes—if you plan strategically.
photo Krystina Olsen Studio
For small-scale farms, we’re usually talking about less than 1 acre and a mix of markets: wholesale, retail, events, and agritourism. In practical terms, this often translates to fewer than 500 plants for diversified farms. Even a monocrop peony operation can thrive with 2,000–5,000 plants, but harvesting is always manual at any scale—there’s no machinery for cut peonies, so human labor is key.
Understanding Costs and Revenue
Peony roots: Typically $7–15 wholesale per plant
Wholesale flower sales: $1–$4 per stem
Retail flower sales: $5–$7+ per stem
High-end event work: $7–$20 per stem
Most advice says to wait three years before harvesting, but at Tanglebloom we’ve developed a framework to recoup investment sooner. By selling select stems in the second year, it’s possible to recover part—or even all—of your initial investment in roots faster.
Peonies are also long-term crops, producing flowers for 50+ years and sometimes living over a century. That longevity makes them a true legacy investment.
Why Peonies Work Well for Small Farms
Low Maintenance: Compared to annuals or other perennials like hydrangeas, peonies are relatively low-maintenance and pest-resistant in cold climates (USDA Zones 3–7).
Multiple Revenue Streams: Beyond cut flowers, peony foliage can be sold to florists in summer or autumn. Flowers are aromatic and edible, lending themselves to products like soaps, teas, syrups, and other body care and edible items.
Agritourism Potential: Peonies are familiar, beautiful, and highly photogenic—perfect for u-pick operations, workshops, and events.
High-Value Markets: Luxury markets pay premium prices for peony stems in weddings and event arrangements.
With these factors, it’s possible to build a profitable small farm ecosystem around even a small peony crop. The right planning and careful variety selection make peonies a sustainable and rewarding investment.