Fernleaf Peony Plant Care
Paeonia tenuifolia L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Paeonia tenuifolia is a herbaceous species of peony that is called the steppe peony or the fern leaf peony. It is native to the Caucasus Mountains, with large fields found in Vashlivani National Park in Georgia and the Black Sea coast of Ukraine, spreading westward into Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia and eastward to northwestern Kazakhstan.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Fernleaf Peony?
Water Fernleaf Peony every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Fernleaf Peony Native To?
What Is the Fernleaf Peony?
Fernleaf Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia) belongs to the Paeoniaceae family within the Paeonia genus. Fernleaf Peony is native to the Caucasus Mountains, with large fields found in Vashlivani National Park in Georgia and the Black Sea coast of Ukraine, spreading westward into Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia and eastward to northwestern Kazakhstan. Fernleaf Peony is also known as Slenderleaf Peony.
Fernleaf Peony displays a herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Fernleaf Peony produces large, showy, fragrant blooms in various colors like pink, red, white, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fernleaf Peony?
Paeonia tenuifolia requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Fernleaf Peony Need?
Fernleaf Peony thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fernleaf Peony Prefer?
Paeonia tenuifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Fernleaf Peony prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fernleaf Peony?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fernleaf Peony to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fernleaf Peony?
Feed Fernleaf Peony every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Fernleaf Peony?
Repot every 3-4 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Fernleaf Peony?
Fernleaf Peony can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kesrouan peony plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fernleaf Peony Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fernleaf Peony, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fernleaf Peony?
Fernleaf Peony is susceptible to aphids, botrytis blight, verticillium wilt. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fernleaf Peony Need?
Fernleaf Peony grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fernleaf Peony is native to the Caucasus Mountains, with large fields found in Vashlivani National Park in Georgia and the Black Sea coast of Ukraine, spreading westward into Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia and eastward to northwestern Kazakhstan. In cooler regions, grow Fernleaf Peony as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Fernleaf Peony is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Paeonia genus — compare its care with other Paeonia species on PlantoScan.
Paeonia is part of the Paeoniaceae plant family — browse all Paeoniaceae genera and species.
Fernleaf Peony thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Paeonia Species
Other Paeonia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Paeonia tenuifolia L., family Paeoniaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 1079 (1759)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fernleaf Peony, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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