Abstract: To understand the seed traits, germination characteristics and seed life span of Incarvillea sinensis, morphological anatomy and petri dish germinating methods were used to study the seed morphological characteristics and the effects of different temperature, light, pH, NaCl concentration and storage time on seed germination. The results showed that the I. sinensis seeds had membranous wings and developed from dehiscent capsule to mature embryo stage, and the radicle differentiated obviously. The seed length was 4.54±0.62 mm and the width was 3.71±0.33 mm, while the 1 000-seed weight was 0.638±0.06 g. There was no significant difference in germination rate between dark and light conditions, and the optimum temperature for germination was 20-25 ℃. Seed wing had no inhibition on seed germination, and neutral acidic environment was the most favorable for seed germination and seedling development of I. sinensis. Additionally, salt stress inhibited seed germination, but low salt environment promoted seedling growth to some extent, and the seeds stored at room temperature for 1 year lost their value for planting and germination rate was only 34.67%. Therefore, the embryos were highly developed and germination was not sensitive to light while the seeds mature. The temperature range of 20-25 ℃and neutral acid conditions were more conducive to germination, and the storage life of seeds at room temperature was only one year.