Abstract: In this paper, the effects of temperature, light, plant growth regulator, water, low temperature stratification and artificial aging on the dormancy and germination characteristics of Cyperus alternifolius seeds were studied. The results showed C. alternifolius was a light-loving plant at germination, suitable for shallow sowing, and the optimal germination temperature was 20 ℃/35 ℃ or 25 ℃/35 ℃. There was shallow physiological dormancy in C. alternifolius, and gibberellin（GA₃）, fluridone（FL）, melatonin（MLT） and low temperature stratification could break dormancy and significantly increase seed germination rate（p＜0.05）. In the germination stage, the drought resistance of C. alternifolius seeds was weak and the seed germination rate under 10% PEG stress was significantly lower than that of the control（p＜0.05）. After artificial aging for 24 h, the germination rate of C. alternifolius seeds decreased significantly, and the germination rate was only 25% after aging for 192 h, indicating that the anti-aging ability of C. alternifolius seeds was weak.