Potentilla supine,Potentilla multicaulis,Potentilla kleiniana and Potentilla longifolia were used as experimental materials,darkness was set for 12 h,light was set for 12 h temperature was 15,20,25,30℃,respectively,and total darkness was set at 25℃,the effects of temper-ature and light on seed germination were studied.The results showed that the optimal germination temperature was 25℃ for Potentilla supine and Potentilla longifolia,the optimal germination temperature was 25-30℃ for Potentilla multicaulis,the optimal germination temperature was 20℃ for Potentilla kleiniana.Dark inhibited the seed germination of Potentilla supine and Potentilla longifolia,but dark had no effect on seed germination of Potentilla multicaulis.